Created to recognize faculty members who go above and beyond to foster student growth, development, and professional success, the new university-wide award celebrates impactful mentorship across disciplines. The award comes with a $1,000 prize generously sponsored by John and Shannon Chamberlin.

Khodakovskaya鈥檚 graduate students鈥擪ari Vinzant, Sree Kumar, Shabnam Manafzadeh, and Mohammad Rashid鈥攊ntroduced their mentor. They also nominated her for the award, writing powerful letters describing her impact on their lives and careers.

鈥淢entoring is more than just guiding or advising,鈥� Khodakovskaya said. 鈥淚t is about listening, learning, and walking beside someone on their journey鈥攏ot ahead of them, not behind them, but with them. It鈥檚 a relationship rooted in trust, empathy, and encouragement.鈥�

Described by students and colleagues as a tireless advocate for student success, Khodakovskaya has mentored dozens of graduate, undergraduate, and postdoctoral students over the last 17 years. Her students praised her for believing in their potential, helping them build professional networks, and supporting them through personal and academic challenges.

In their nomination letters, students recounted how Khodakovskaya helped them publish research, attend conferences and summer schools, and apply for prestigious grants, all while fostering a collaborative and supportive lab culture.

鈥淎s a Ph.D. student in her lab, I鈥檝e had the privilege of being mentored by someone who has not only shaped my scientific skills but also transformed how I see myself as a researcher,鈥� said Kari Vinzant. 鈥淚 wanted a Ph.D. experience that would challenge me, shape me, and prepare me for the real world, and that鈥檚 exactly what she gave me. She picks students who will contribute positively to the group, encourages us to help and teach one another, and leads by example in fostering an environment where everyone thrives.鈥�

Shabnam Manafzadeh, another doctoral student, recalled how Khodakovskaya鈥檚 teaching has been invaluable to his education.

鈥淒r. Khodakovskaya has not only taught me essential laboratory techniques and research methods but has also been a constant source of guidance whenever I encounter challenges in my experiments,鈥� Manafzadeh said. 鈥淪he listens carefully to my research problems and always provides insightful and practical advice. Her patience and dedication to her students create an environment where we feel encouraged to grow as independent researchers.鈥�

As a respected leader in plant nanotechnology research, Dr. Khodakovskaya balances her mentoring with an active research program that has secured millions in grant funding. She also serves as director of the interdisciplinary Applied Science Graduate Program, where she mentors students across four academic tracks.

鈥淭his award is not just a recognition of what I鈥檝e done,鈥� she said, 鈥渋t鈥檚 a reminder of what鈥檚 possible when we invest in each other. The world needs more mentors, more listeners, more people who care.鈥�

The Mentoring Award was conceptualized by Dr. Michael Moore, director of undergraduate research and mentoring, and Dr. Brian Berry, dean of the Graduate School, to highlight the importance of mentorship in student success. All nominees were recommended by students and evaluated on their accessibility, encouragement, and impact on academic and career outcomes.

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Dr. Alex Biris, chief scientist at the Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences, Dr. Mariya Khodakovskaya, professor of plant biology, and Dr. Tansel Karabacak, director of the School of Physical Sciences, were among 25 researchers across the state to receive funding through the competitive ARA Impact Grant Program. Each grant provides up to $75,000 for projects that align with one of seven targeted growth areas, including precision agriculture, materials engineering applications, and population health innovations.

鈥淓ach of these grants helps push forward practical research that intersects with growth opportunities aligned with Arkansas鈥� economic growth,鈥� said Douglas Hutchings, ARA Academy director. 鈥淲e look forward to seeing the results of the research.鈥�

ARA Impact Grants were awarded for the first time to researchers outside the ARA Academy of Scholars & Fellows, emphasizing a statewide push for university-industry collaboration. 

鈥淎mong ARA mandates is to bring deeper collaboration between the state鈥檚 research community and industry,鈥� said Bryan J. Barnhouse, ARA president and CEO. 鈥淭he demand for the Impact Grant program is proof of concept that when applied research is paired with the vested interest of industry across targeted sectors, it fuels innovation that leads to the development of new technologies and economic advancement of our state.鈥� 

Research at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock plays a vital role in advancing innovation and economic development across Arkansas. Their work not only contributes to scientific progress but also fosters industry partnerships, creates job opportunities, and strengthens Arkansas鈥檚 position as a hub for research-driven growth.

“These ARA grants provide much-needed resources to researchers as they tackle critical challenges and develop innovative solutions that benefit society,” said Dr. Brian Berry, dean of the Graduate School and vice provost of research. “By supporting cutting-edge research, these grants help drive economic growth in Arkansas and strengthen the state鈥檚 position in an increasingly competitive global market.”

Advancing Bone Regeneration Technology

Biris is leading research on NuCress Bone Void Filler, an Arkansas-developed technology designed to improve healing for patients with serious bone injuries, such as ACL tears. The project will evaluate its safety and potential benefits, with implications for athletes, military personnel, and the medical industry. The commercialization of this technology could also drive economic growth within the state.

“I am extremely grateful to the ARA for their support and funding of our project,鈥� Biris said. 鈥淭his grant focuses on the further development of our bone regeneration project that has shown impressive results and has attracted significant interest and funding from federal sources, including the Department of Defense. The ARA Impact Grant will allow us to take this research to the next level and to prove that our technology works in an orthopedic model that is well established and which could result in immense positive medical and human impact. We are grateful for ARA’s support and leadership, not only for its impact on my research efforts but also for its contributions to Arkansas.”

Innovations in Urban Farming with Nanotechnology

Khodakovskaya鈥檚 project integrates sustainable nanotechnology into urban agriculture, helping farmers grow healthier, more nutritious food in limited spaces. Her research aims to enhance plant productivity while reducing dependence on conventional fertilizers, ultimately increasing food security and supporting local communities.

鈥淲e are honored to receive this grant, which will allow us to advance innovative solutions for urban agriculture in Arkansas,鈥� Khodakovskaya said. 鈥淭his project bridges the gap between successful laboratory experiments and real-world applications in urban farming. By leveraging cutting-edge nanotechnologies, we aim to enhance plant productivity and nutritional value while reducing reliance on conventional agrochemicals.鈥�

Developing Antibacterial Stainless-Steel Surfaces

Karabacak is tackling bacterial contamination in food processing and healthcare industries by developing a cost-effective method to create antibacterial stainless-steel surfaces. The process eliminates the need for chemical coatings, providing a safer, more sustainable solution to food safety concerns.

“On behalf of our team, I would like to express our gratitude to ARA for this prestigious grant, which will enable us to explore our hypothesis on developing antibacterial stainless-steel surfaces through a simple, low-cost, and scalable approach,鈥� Karabacak said. 鈥淭his grant will facilitate collaboration with our industry partner, Safe Foods, ensuring our research addresses real-world problems. We also plan to prepare larger grant proposals for federal programs and submit patent applications for the new technology developed in this project. It also offers us the opportunity to work alongside our national laboratory collaborators at NCTR.”

Founded in 2008, the Arkansas Research Alliance supports research that drives innovation and strengthens the state鈥檚 economy through partnerships between universities and industry. With these new grants, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock researchers continue to push the boundaries of scientific discovery, bringing practical solutions to Arkansas communities and beyond.

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