Mechanical Engineering Program - News - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Student turns Personal Experience into Award-Winning Research

Samantha Koros — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000

There is a photograph Peter Zokoro returns to in his research presentations: two children hunched over their schoolwork late at night, their only light a flickering kerosene lamp. He does not use it for dramatic effect. He uses it because he has lived it.

Zokoro, a master’s student in mechanical engineering at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, grew up in Nigeria, where electricity is not a given. That experience became the foundation of his research, research that recently earned him first place at one of the largest engineering conventions in the country.

“You feel the impact of energy in its absence,” Zokoro said. “Not in its abundance. In its absence.”

In April, Zokoro won first place in the Technical Research Exhibition at the 2026 National Society of Black Engineers Annual Convention in Baltimore, competing in both poster and oral presentation categories against students from universities across the nation.

His research focuses on biomass gasification, a thermochemical process that converts waste materials into syngas. Syngas can then be utilized to generate energy, produce green hydrogen and support chemical synthesis. The approach addresses two global challenges at once: the approximately 750 million people worldwide who lack access to electricity, and the roughly 2 billion tons of solid waste generated annually.

He earned his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from Lagos State University in Nigeria, graduating top of his class with First Class Honors. He moved to the United States in 2024 to pursue his master’s degree, hearing from a friend back home how supportive ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty are, his choice was made. He quickly immersed himself in campus life while exploring his academic path, earning a graduate teaching assistantship early on to cover expenses. He also joined the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the campus chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), where he now serves as treasurer and international chair, helping build mentorship pipelines and organize professional development opportunities.

During this time, he found his research focus through Dr. Ashokkumar Sharma, his thesis advisor. Sharma’s work centered on two challenges that were deeply personal to Zokoro, challenges he had lived – access to energy and the growing problem of global waste – prompting him to take action. As his learning and research progressed, he began building a research team, recruiting undergraduate students and introducing them to his vision, inviting them to contribute to the project.

“Peter Zokoro is one of the most driven graduate students I have mentored,” said Sharma. “His innovative bioenergy and machine learning research, along with his leadership and mentorship of undergraduates, reflects both depth and originality. His first-place award at the 2026 NSBE Conference reflects his academic and community impact.”

In Baltimore, Zokoro arrived with the research to match his ambitions. Supported by Dr. David Montague, NSBE chapter co-advisor, and other ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students in attendance, he earned first place. Their presence made the achievement all the more meaningful.

“Seeing familiar faces from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in that room while I was presenting meant more than I can put into words,” Zokoro said. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock may not be the biggest school in the room, but we showed up and we won—that matters for every student here.”

The pride he felt was shared by others within the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock community, including his mentors.

“Zokoro exemplifies the hard work and dedication of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students. His innovative research resonated with audiences, and his award for best presentation came as no surprise,” said Montague.

Zokoro graduates this May, but the vision behind his research continues to expand — shaped by his lived experiences and the support he found at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. He hopes to help build a future where clean energy is accessible everywhere and give new purpose to materials often thrown away.

“For developed nations like the U.S., the vision is energy independence,” Zokoro said. “Reducing and eventually eliminating dependence on fossil fuels by generating clean energy from the waste we already produce. And beyond that, imagine being able to export the green hydrogen generated from this process to other countries and companies that need it. That is a completely new value chain—new economic opportunities built on something we currently throw away.”

For Zokoro, the photograph of two children studying by kerosene light is not just a presentation slide; it is the reason behind his work.

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��Vlog��ý Little Rock Graduate Student Tackles NASA Research Challenges Through National Proposal Academy

Molly Coleman — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 14:02:38 +0000

A graduate student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is helping shape the future of space exploration — one proposal at a time.

Hannah Jones, a master’s student in mechanical engineering and graduate researcher in the Material Intelligence and Prognostics Lab, recently participated in the L’SPACE Program’s NASA Proposal Writing and Evaluation Experience (NPWEE) Academy, a nationally competitive, fully-funded program for students pursuing careers in aerospace. The online academy brings together students from across the country to develop and evaluate proposals addressing NASA’s most pressing research needs.

“It’s a really good introduction to proposal writing as well as research as a whole,” Jones said. “Everything is tailored towards NASA and the aerospace industry, so you get exposure to how research really works in that space.”

Jones learned of the opportunity while interning at NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center in Mississippi last summer.

L’SPACE, which stands for Lucy Student Pipeline Accelerator and Competency Enabler, is a NASA-funded workforce development program open to undergraduate and graduate students nationwide. The rigorous NPWEE Academy promotes innovation and creative problem-solving by engaging students in real challenges facing NASA. Participants are placed on interdisciplinary teams to identify agency needs and develop research proposals guided by NASA’s official taxonomy report, which outlines key research gaps and areas for technological advancement.

Teams compete for a $10,000 award to support their research, but the experience extends beyond the competition. After submitting proposals, participants evaluate and score submissions from other student teams, gaining insight into both sides of the proposal process. By the end of the program, students leave with hands-on experience in writing and reviewing research proposals — valuable skills for both academic work and future careers.

Jones’ team focused on in-situ methane production on Mars, producing methane using only resources available on the planet. The research is directly tied to future space exploration missions that rely on methane as a fuel source.

“Other planets don’t have the same resources that we do on Earth,” Jones said. “We were looking for materials that would optimize manufacturing methane so we can have a source of fuel in those environments.”

While her background is in engineering and materials research, her team’s project ended up being very chemistry-centered — a challenge Jones had not expected.

“It took a lot of reading on my side to understand our goal and how we could achieve it, and then translate that into the proposal,” Jones said.

Jones was also challenged by the second half of the NPWEE Academy, when she stepped into the role of reviewer for her peers. During this phase, students evaluated competing teams’ proposals using NASA’s established criteria. Pushing beyond her comfort zone, Jones volunteered to chair one of the proposal review panels.

“I had never done anything like that before,” she said. “Reviewing the proposals helps give you an idea of areas you need to improve in your own technical writing. I was reviewing proposals I had no familiarity with, so it was really eye-opening to see how essential it is to be able to communicate these ideas at a foundational level everyone can understand.”

Experiencing both sides of the proposal process underscored the importance of clear communication, even in scientific research. The experience highlighted how strong communication can make or break a proposal — and often determines whether a project is funded or passed over by reviewers.

“Being able to communicate complex ideas and translate them into an incredibly condensed version is essential,” Jones said. “You have to be able to prove that your project is feasible. If you can’t communicate exactly how you’re going to execute your project and why it makes sense, it creates doubt in the people reviewing your proposal. You have to simultaneously show your credibility while demonstrating that the project can be completed within the timeline and budget, all while clearly explaining the science behind it.”

This experience allowed Jones to work with people from diverse industries and backgrounds while addressing real-world issues, which is hard to experience in a traditional classroom setting.

“I can’t emphasize enough how important it was for me to learn how to come up with projects catered to what the industry needs rather than just my own interests,” she said. “It is incredibly important to learn how to work with subjects you’re unfamiliar with and to rely on people who are more experienced than you in other fields — to gain exposure to different industries and fields of study.”

Jones said her experience in the L’SPACE Academy solidified her determination to work in this field and strengthened her confidence in her technical writing and research skills.

“I really enjoy materials research, of course, but now I have more confidence taking on projects outside of that comfort zone” she said. “This experience has made me more ambitious to pursue new concepts or ideas and to work with others to tackle issues that research can address within the aerospace industry.”

Because the L’SPACE Academy is fully funded and open to students nationwide, Jones said programs like this are especially meaningful for students at institutions like ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.

“I think sometimes it can be hard to think at a broader level about what’s possible,” she said. “At least for me, there were times I limited myself by thinking, ‘I’m not at an Ivy League or a huge institution, so maybe I’m not as competitive.’ But there were students in the program from all kinds of universities — not just large schools, but smaller, local institutions too.”

Seeing that diversity, she said, reinforced that opportunities in aerospace and research are not reserved for students at elite universities. For students considering applying, Jones encouraged them not to underestimate themselves.

“Applying never hurts,” she said. “Even if you’re a freshman or your background isn’t traditionally aerospace-focused, you never know how your skills might fit into a project.”

She recalled advice that stayed with her throughout the process: Don’t reject yourself before anyone else has the chance to.

“These projects touch so many different fields and NASA pain points,” Jones said. “People from all kinds of backgrounds can contribute. My number one piece of advice is just to apply and see what happens, and if you get in, give it your best.”

Looking ahead, Jones said she plans to complete her master’s degree in spring 2027 before pursuing a Ph.D. at another institution. Her long-term goal is to conduct materials research in the aerospace industry, building on her current focus on composite materials.

For Jones, the program was more than a competition — it was a stepping stone toward the career she hopes to build.

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Star Swimmer Jaelle Carlson Leaves Her Mark in the Pool and Beyond

Wed, 14 May 2025 13:05:00 +0000

Whether slicing through water or solving complex equations, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock senior Jaelle Carlson is known for giving her all as both a standout student-athlete and a driven future engineer.

A mechanical engineering major with a 3.97 GPA and a minor in mathematics, Carlson was named the 2025 Most Valuable Player for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s swimming and diving team and will leave the university as a Scholar All-American. Her success stems from a strong work ethic, intentional time management, and a deep love for her sport and her teammates.

“I like to put my best effort into anything I do, and I encourage others to bring out the best in themselves too,” Carlson said. “For me to be my best can reflect back on them, and vice versa. I think that’s how we build each other up.”

Originally from Weatherford, Texas, Carlson chose ��Vlog��ý Little Rock for its academic scholarships, the opportunity to swim competitively, and the people.

“I chose here for the community as much as the opportunity,” she said. “I knew I could compete in my sport and get a great education.”

Her college career has been nothing short of impressive. In the pool, Carlson has competed across the country—including high-level meets in Ocala, Florida, and against nationally ranked Power 4 schools. Carlson was part of a team of four swimmers that during the 400 freestyle relay at the CSCAA National Invitational Championships this year.

“It’s been a struggle at times, but incredibly rewarding,” she said of her student-athlete experience. “There’s a lot of early mornings and late nights, but I’ve had the chance to travel, represent ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, and still keep up with my classes thanks to supportive professors.”

That academic rigor included multiple internships and a place in Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honor society. Carlson credits professors like Dr. Jin Lee and Stuart Schneider for helping shape her college experience.

Photo of Jaelle Carlson by Ben Krain.

“Dr. Jin Lee was a wonderful help and really pushed us to do our best,” she said. “And Stuart Schneider’s engineering statics class was one of my favorites I’ve ever taken.”

Her father’s career as an aeronautical engineer also influenced her path. “In high school, I loved math but didn’t want to major in just that,” she said. “Engineering gave me a place to apply it. Watching my dad’s journey inspired me a lot.”

After graduation, Carlson will return home for a summer internship at an aeronautical company—her third with the same organization. This time, she’ll be on the flight line, assisting with developmental flight testing alongside engineers.

“It’s exciting. I’ve worked under mechanical departments before, but being on the flight line will be a new hands-on experience,” she said.

In the fall, she’ll return to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock to pursue her master’s degree in mechanical engineering, with hopes to eventually return to Texas for a career in aerospace engineering.

While graduating on May 17 marks the end of one chapter, it’s a milestone Carlson describes as “bittersweet.”

“I’ve really enjoyed the people and friends I’ve met here. Saying goodbye is hard in the moment,” she said. “But we’re all going to do amazing things, and I’m thankful we’ll stay connected.”

She also had a few heartfelt shoutouts: “I could not have done this journey without my parents, who were there supporting me every step of the way. And I have to thank the Starbucks crew on campus for always brightening my mornings and starting each day on the best note. You guys are amazing!”

Her advice to future students? “Embrace and enjoy every opportunity that comes your way—don’t pass it up. And write down your experiences. You’ll appreciate both the trials and victories long after college.”

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��Vlog��ý Little Rock Senior Gains Experience During Summer Internship at Southwest Power Pool

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 13:00:15 +0000

Hannah Jones, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, gained valuable experience this summer through her internship at Southwest Power Pool.

Working with the Engineering Modeling team, Jones contributed to the development of both current and future electric grid models used for studies and forecasts.

“My main role was to update data for the Renewable Dispatch Workbook (RDW),” stated Jones. “This is a workbook that stores peak electrical generation from solar and wind units for different seasons that go into the electric grid models. This involved sorting through past data, finding and updating data by looking through applications such as Power System Simulator for Engineering and the Interconnection Agreements, and communicating across departments within Southwest Power Pool to find the correct data.”

Despite her background in mechanical engineering, Jones felt integrated into her team and gained a deeper understanding of the electrical grid. She and the other interns gained real-world insights into the electrical industry through experiences such as touring the Murray Hydro Dam and observing real-time grid monitoring operations.

“Prior to this internship, I never considered what it takes to even turn on the lights, but now I have a much better understanding,” stated Jones. “Even though I am a mechanical engineering student, I found that my team was willing to explain concepts I wasn’t familiar with and assist me whenever I needed it. I felt very included in what was going on and understood how my project fit into the larger picture.”

In addition to the technical skills she gained from her involvement with Southwest Power Pool, Jones was also able to overcome challenges and strengthen her communication and problem solving abilities.

“I had issues when entering new generation units into the RDW since the naming conventions between departments were different,” recalled Jones. “This involved me using several resources to map correct names into the workbook and communicating across multiple departments to locate the correct unit.”

Overall, Jones gained valuable experience and insight during her internship.

“This experience helped me to build my professional portfolio and understand what it’s like to work in a professional environment. It also helped me identify qualities that Southwest Power Pool had that I would like to see in future places of employment.”

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Women to Watch at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock 2023: Alyssa Smith

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 12:58:26 +0000

In celebration of Women’s History Month, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is profiling women in leadership positions who are making a difference at the university and in the community.

The next Woman to Watch at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock of 2023 is Alyssa Smith, a senior mechanical engineering major. A Donaghey Scholar and president of Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Smith will graduate, get married, and start a new career as an engineer this summer.

Tell us about yourself and your background.

I have lived in Arkansas my whole life, so I have lots of love for my home state. I was raised in Texarkana, AR, where I graduated in 2019 as an original Razorback at Arkansas High School! I have no siblings, so my small family has always valued time with each other, especially through traveling and various adventurous activities. Between traveling to famous museums, theme parks, or national parks and monuments, my childhood has developed my love for learning and also my appreciation for the world around me.

Ever since I was young, I valued school above many other things. I loved the challenge that a really difficult math problem presented or the satisfaction I received from completing a project that I worked really hard on. From such a young age, I knew that I had the ambition to succeed not only in school but wherever life takes me also. I have carried this in all aspects of my life, whether it is college, leadership positions, community involvement, and even my future career.

What brought you to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock?

I had quite a few very close family members that studied at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock before I ever began looking for colleges. So when the time came, I wanted to develop my own path and, oddly enough, go anywhere but ��Vlog��ý Little Rock! I very quickly realized that ��Vlog��ý Little Rock had every aspect of a university that I was looking for and not finding in the other colleges I toured. Not only was it a close two hours from home, but it had a great department for engineering and a lively campus environment.

What finally sealed the deal was my acceptance into the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, a highly competitive honors program that only accepts 25 students a year! I was so honored and beyond excited about the full tuition scholarship, apartment dorms, and most of all, a funded study abroad program. With study abroad being a distant dream of mine that was now coming true, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock was the place for me!

What is your major?

I am a mechanical engineering major! I love telling people what my major is, as their response usually involves something along the lines of “Oh wow, you go girl!” I am so proud to be a woman in STEM!

My interest in engineering first started with the various travels with my family, as roller coasters were always a big part of my childhood. I was fascinated by how they worked, what made them move, and how they brought so much joy to my family and me! Once I noticed that I had a strength in math, especially calculus in high school, I knew the path I was meant to take. Now, I enjoy the coursework and how engineering applies to so many different areas of our lives, but most of all I can not get enough of the challenge. The work is not easy, and it takes a lot of practice. I am proud to say that even with such a daunting major, I have maintained a 3.97 GPA and can not wait to see what challenges being an engineer allows me to tackle after graduation.

When will you graduate, and what do you plan to do after graduation?

I have quite a few major life milestones coming up! I will graduate in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Only four short weeks after graduation, I will be getting married and officially moving into my own apartment! Soon after, I plan to continue in my current field of engineering and work as a natural gas engineer at Summit Utilities. As I interviewed for this job, I loved everything the company valued and especially that I would work in Little Rock, but be able to serve various parts of the state that I call home! I am incredibly excited to begin working after graduation. Life will look very different with no homework or tests to study for, but that just leaves room for new tasks to complete and new problems to solve. Besides, I’m sure I will return for a master’s degree someday!

What activities are you involved in at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock?

I am most involved with the Little Rock Baptist Collegiate Ministry. The BCM is a religious organization that is one of the largest student organizations on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus. When I came to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, I didn’t know anyone and felt very lost in terms of where to go or how to be involved on campus. I quickly got connected and went to worship every Tuesday and I have continued ever since!

In terms of leadership, I started on the Freshman Leadership Team where I learned under mentors and built many leadership skills that I value today. In my sophomore year, I moved to the “real” Leadership Team for upperclassmen, where I was the new student orientation leader. My role was to reach out to new students, make them feel welcome, and overall grow the organization! In my junior year, I became a vice president also focusing on new students and freshmen. Finally, I am currently president of the BCM for my senior year. I have been so blessed to be a part of an organization with an emphasis on not only faith, but also leadership, outreach, and personal growth.

With the BCM, I lead weekly meetings with the leadership team but also small group Bible studies with various women across campus. Over the years, our studies have allowed us to share stories, learn together, and have a support system as we endure various trials of life. Also with the BCM, I have been able to attend leadership conferences and leadership retreats, and help lead on mission trips to serve my community.

Recently, I have been initiated into the Arkansas Beta chapter of Tau Beta Pi at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, an engineering honor society recognizing the top fifth of the graduating class who shows exemplary scholarship and character. Here, I get to extend my leadership skills to my area of study. This association is aimed at gathering ��Vlog��ý Little Rock engineering students to make a difference through campus outreach.

What are some of the exciting projects that you are working on at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock?

I am currently working on my Senior Capstone project. Alongside two other team members, we have designed a Vibrational Guidance Device for Visually Impaired Recreationalists. The idea came from considering daily activities and how we could make them easier or more efficient. Cycling came up, as riding a bike is not only a common activity, but promotes many health benefits. How could we change the fundamentals of cycling?

We decided that there was a group of people, the blind community, that likely was not getting the experience of riding a bike, or even walking or jogging individually. Our device consists of a harness with vibrational elements on the left, right, and back to signal for a turn or stop. A bystander will input signals through a control module that can either be hand-held or placed on the handlebars of a bike. Now, the rider can bike without being in tandem or jog without a partner directly by their side in a safe and controlled environment. It gives the experience of individuality to those who may otherwise not be able to enjoy such freedom.

In Tau Beta Pi, we are working hard on projects such as Fundamental Engineering exam preparation sessions and making these accessible and helpful to students, planning study sessions, and planning other fun events on campus. I am new to this organization but am so excited to begin helping with these projects. Since joining, I have taken the role of social chair, meaning that I make our organization well-known to the public and also display what a great organization Tau Beta Pi is through pictures. Therefore, I am working on projects on various social media platforms with the goal of focusing on community and campus outreach.

What woman has inspired you the most and why?

Long before I knew about my heart for learning and my community, I was captivated by Dolly Parton’s music and quick sense of humor. Little did I know about her vast philanthropic outreach that has changed millions of lives, especially in education. She has selflessly used her platform to give back to a variety of well-known charities but also focuses on her own community where she grew up in Tennessee. Targeting children’s education, high school dropout rates, and supporting college tuitions, Dolly has given the gift of learning to thousands of children and young adults. I admire her investment in academics and am inspired by the number of new students eager to learn in classrooms thanks to her. 10-year-old me, who dressed up as Dolly for Halloween, would not be surprised at all if she knew how much I look up to Dolly today.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?

Being in a male-dominated field, I know what it feels like to feel out of place or that your skills aren’t good enough because they aren’t like your peers. Everyone is different in what they excel at. Just because the people around you seem better, more knowledgeable, or simply make you feel as if you don’t belong, it does not mean that it is actually true! You may be exceeding differently, and that works just as well.

Name something about yourself that most people would be surprised to learn.

Much of my independence developed during my study abroad trip to Prague, Czech Republic. Here, I spent two months alone in a foreign country when I had never really gone anywhere by myself. Traveling alone is quite scary, but I would recommend it to anyone looking for a way to kickstart their decision-making skills, critical thinking, and overall self-confidence.

I came back from this trip a new person in terms of confidence, as I knew that if I could make the 18-hour flight to Prague and back, get around the city using public transportation while not knowing the language or work at a Czech electronics company, I can do anything I set my mind to! It was such a beautiful city and I will always have fond memories of this trip, but it is the character development that this adventure provided that I will always take with me.

What is your favorite quote and why?

My favorite quote comes from a comfort song of mine, Vienna, by Billy Joel: “Slow down, you’re doing fine. You can’t be everything you want before your time.”

This song is a frequent listen before big tests, when I am nervous about an interview, or any other event that takes my mind into states of stress or worry. Billy talks about Vienna as a metaphor for the peace in life after all is done and you have accomplished everything you set out to do. I take this quote to heart as an encouragement when I feel as if I am not succeeding fast enough or how I want. I strive so hard to achieve everything I want all at once, but life comes in phases. It is important to know that if I take things one at a time, I can achieve everything I aim for when the time is right.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I encourage any young woman to take leadership positions even if you don’t feel strong enough to handle them. I have learned so much about myself and my own strengths through my leadership positions, and this has allowed me to learn and work on my weaknesses as well. These are skills that I will always carry with me long after I graduate.

The post Women to Watch at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock 2023: Alyssa Smith appeared first on News.

Mechanical Engineering Program - News - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Student turns Personal Experience into Award-Winning Research

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Graduate Student Tackles NASA Research Challenges Through National Proposal Academy