The highly competitive grant will support her research on gold nanoparticles for cancer therapy under the mentorship of Dr. Noureen Siraj, associate professor of chemistry. Their project explores how the shape of gold nanoparticles influences drug delivery efficiency. She will coat nanospheres and nanorods with a combination drug, DOX-ICG, to evaluate their effectiveness in targeting and treating cancer cells.

鈥淥ur research focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and functionalization of gold nanoparticles to enhance drug delivery for cancer treatment,鈥� Siraj explained. 鈥淲e aim to determine how nanoparticle morphology influences the efficiency of a chemo-photothermal therapy combination drug. This research is important because it addresses a major challenge in cancer treatment: minimizing damage to healthy cells while maximizing therapeutic effects on tumors.鈥�

Neupane joined Dr. Siraj鈥檚 research lab as a freshman and has been actively involved in cancer-related studies for the past two years.

鈥淚 started with gold nanospheres because they are easier to synthesize, but nanorods are known to be more efficient,鈥� Neupane said. 鈥淭his dual-drug approach allows us to use a lower concentration of chemotherapy while still effectively targeting tumor cells.鈥�

The $4,000 SURF grant will cover research expenses and allow Neupane to travel to conferences, where she can present her findings and network with professionals.

鈥淚 was surprised when I received the grant again,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very competitive, and I鈥檓 grateful for the opportunity. The grant pays for research expenses and gives me the ability to travel to conferences and interact with experts in the field, which is incredibly valuable as I prepare for medical school.鈥�

Neupane has been interested in researching ways to treat cancer ever since she shadowed an oncologist in Texarkana when she was a senior in high school. She is hopeful that the research project will eventually lead to an improved treatment for cancer patients.

鈥淭he long-term goal is always clinical trials,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ur end goal is to lower the toxicity of cancer treatments and give patients less invasive procedures with better results.鈥�

Siraj praised Neupane鈥檚 dedication and growth as a researcher. 鈥淔rom the beginning, Nistha showed a strong commitment to this project,鈥� she said. 鈥淪he was an excited freshman eager to learn new skills in my lab. Her medical interests align well with this research, and her personal connections to cancer have deepened her commitment. This experience will help shape her as a research scientist and future physician.鈥�

Neupane, who is originally from Texarkana, Texas, is a member of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program and vice president of the Pre-Health Club. She plans to graduate in 2026 and is preparing for the MCAT as she applies to medical school.

鈥淩esearch is something I know I will continue in medical school,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his project has given me valuable experience and the opportunity to contribute to advancements in cancer treatment.鈥�

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Sheets, a sophomore finance major from Cabot, is focusing on enhancing polymer membrane separators in lithium-ion batteries to improve ion transport, thermal stability, and overall efficiency. Sheets will conduct this research under the mentorship of Dr. Noureen Siraj, associate professor of chemistry.

鈥淚 am so incredibly grateful and excited for this grant,鈥� Sheets said. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait to use the resources provided to me to continue my education and research.鈥�

Polymer separators are essential components in lithium-ion batteries, as they ensure proper ion movement while keeping the cathode and anode apart. This research will explore coating these separators with titanium oxide nanoparticles to enhance chemical stability, thermal resistance, and electrolyte distribution.

鈥淭he energy crisis is one of the most prevalent issues today,鈥� Sheets said. 鈥淏y developing more energy-efficient storage devices, we can reduce battery waste and improve sustainability. The separator plays a key role in ensuring strong thermal stability and minimizing short-circuit risks.鈥�

Siraj emphasized the growing importance of battery research, since portable energy sources are widely used in electronics, vehicles, and aerospace industries.

鈥淧rice is a very bright, dedicated, and knowledgeable student,鈥� Siraj said. 鈥淗e quickly grasped various techniques in my lab and generated preliminary results for the SURF proposal. This award will allow him to further develop membrane separators and test their performance in battery devices.鈥�

This is Sheets鈥� first time participating in a research project of this magnitude, and he sees it as an opportunity to develop critical skills that will benefit his future career.

鈥淚 think this experience will help me build numerous practical skills as well as a strong knowledge base in energy and chemistry,鈥� he said. 鈥淩esearch like this will be valuable no matter what path I take.鈥�

Looking ahead, Sheets plans to continue his research and explore new applications for his findings. He also expressed gratitude to the Arkansas SURF Committee, Siraj, and his entire research group for their support and motivation.

This story was written by Rian Newman.

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The professors have used the grant to acquire an ultra-speed centrifuge for biomedical research. This instrument will augment a wide array of chemistry research and teaching applications, such as drug development, proteomics, and metabolomics research. They will be able to use the centrifuge for many experiments, including drug design, nanomaterials preparation, cell culture, molecular biology, and biochemical analyses.

鈥淚 think having such high-end equipment at the university is unbelievable, and I am so thankful to INBRE because they gave us this opportunity,鈥� said Dr. Mohammad Goodarzi, assistant professor of biochemistry. 鈥淲e didn鈥檛 have an ultra-speed centrifuge for our students and for our research. This is a boost for us and working with Dr. Noureen Siraj on this project has been an amazing experience for me. I am also thankful to Dean Brian Berry and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs for all their help with this grant.鈥�

Goodarzi鈥檚 research team investigates the intersection of biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, and immunology, working to craft pharmaceuticals that respond to infection and cancer. His group is dedicated to the advancement of novel drug development that addresses pathogenic infection scenarios.

The new ultra-speed centrifuge is located in the Department of Chemistry in the Science Laboratory Building. Dr. Noureen Siraj, associate professor of chemistry, said that having the equipment will also help students have opportunities to conduct more research.

鈥淭his equipment will offer both undergraduate and graduate students hands-on experience as well as enhance scientific research and collaboration among different departments at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� Siraj said. 鈥淯ndergraduate students gain practical experience in using various instruments to reinforce the theoretical knowledge acquired in the classroom. Our students will get hands-on experience using the ultra-speed centrifuge, and these skills will be in high demand when they graduate.鈥�

Additionally, the ultra-speed centrifuge is essential for the synthesis of gold nanomaterials. Siraj鈥檚 research group is developing different shapes of gold nanomaterials that will be used as a photothermal therapy drug and is also planning to incorporate other chemotherapeutic drugs in gold nanoparticles.

The INBRE grant will also help 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock form collaborations with other universities. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff as well as Philander Smith University both wrote letters of support for the grant.

鈥淯nfortunately, not many higher education institutions in Arkansas have an ultra-speed centrifuge,鈥� Goodarzi said. 鈥淲e are happy to partner with institutions that do not have access to such equipment who want to use it for research and education. This will lead to multiple cross-institutional research collaborations.鈥�

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Under the guidance of Dr. Noureen Siraj, associate professor of chemistry at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Mortazi has been working to develop a means to address the issue of antibiotic resistance. His approach involves merging an ionic synthesis of a dye with a commercial antibiotic, developing a dual-killing mechanism that induces a photothermal therapeutic effect, otherwise known as PTT.

Mortazi, who was one of nine SURF grant recipients from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock this year, expressed his gratitude and excitement for having been selected for this grant amongst a pool of talented applicants. The SURF grant, totaling $4,000, is a significant asset to Mortazi鈥檚 research.

“It was surreal,鈥� shared Mortazi, a Donaghey Scholar from Mountain Home. 鈥淚t honestly was really shocking the first time I received the grant. It鈥檚 very competitive and limited, they can鈥檛 give it to everyone, so getting that email was exciting.” Armin has received the grant once again for the 2024 year for a different project.

Mortazi credits his interest in researching antibiotics to his work as a pharmacy technician, where he has witnessed firsthand the impact that antibiotics have on patients.

鈥淎ntibiotics are prescribed to kill bacteria, but the ones that don鈥檛 die become resistant bacteria, or superbugs,鈥� said Mortazi. 鈥淭his is bad news, because the only way to treat resistant bacteria is with a stronger dose of antibiotics. If the patient does not dispose of the antibiotic properly then the same cycle can repeat. By increasing these doses we are not solving the problem but merely putting a lid on it. With this project, we are one step closer to a solution.鈥�

鈥淲e need more students participating in research,鈥� said Mortazi. 鈥淭he more students we have researching, the more answers we can come up with.鈥�

Moving forward, Mortazi plans to pursue medical school and become a physician. Mortazi, the founder of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Pre-Health Club, is a passionate advocate for more student involvement in research as an important source of answers. The recently founded club boasts 130 members and invites more to join as it grows.

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Anastasia Boles, professor of law, won the Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching, sponsored by the Bailey Family. Skurat Harris, associate professor of rhetoric and writing, has won the Faculty Excellence Award in Research and Creative Endeavors, sponsored by Dr. Jaafer Golzar and Renee Golzar, while Siraj, associate professor of chemistry, received the Faculty Excellence Award in Public Service, sponsored by the Chancellor鈥檚 Circle.

In the university鈥檚 newest Faculty Excellence categories, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock honored Kiel Thorlton, assistant professor of mass communication, as the second recipient of the Rising Faculty Excellence Award, sponsored by Dr. Scott Bowen, as well as Rockwell, associate professor of marketing and advertising, as the second recipient of the Faculty Excellence Award in Social Justice, sponsored by Just Communities of Arkansas.

鈥淥ur recipients’ unwavering commitment to scholarship, teaching, research, public service, and social justice has significantly enriched both our institution and the wider academic sphere,鈥� Provost Ann Bain said. 鈥淥n behalf of the university, I extend heartfelt congratulations to each award recipient, expressing gratitude for epitomizing the essence of excellence that defines our institution.”

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock annually celebrates the achievements of the top professors of the year who are making a difference in the community through their contributions in teaching, research and creative works, public service, and social justice. This is the highest honor 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock awards its faculty members. Each university-level award winning faculty member will receive a $5,000 prize.

Created in 1989, the Faculty Excellence Awards has provided a way to recognize the great work of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock faculty for the past 35 years and is made possible through the valued contributions of the Office of the Chancellor, the Office of the Provost, the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Chancellor鈥檚 Circle, and the Bailey Foundation.

The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Board of Visitors selected the university-wide winners from the 19 faculty members who were selected as the top faculty members for the 2023-24 academic year in each of the five categories in their respective colleges and the William H. Bowen School of Law.

鈥淚 want to give a special thank you to the Board of Visitors,鈥� Bain said. 鈥淲e very much appreciate their dedication to this and the positive comments we鈥檝e seen from them about the dedication of our faculty members.鈥�

Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching

Anastasia Boles is a professor of law at the William H. Bowen School of Law and co-director of Bowen鈥檚 Center for Racial Justice and Criminal Justice Reform. She has been noted by fellow faculty, students, and alumni as an example of the teacher-mentor model. Boles鈥� background is in large law firm litigation, and she brings her civil litigation experiences to her classes and incorporates culturally proficient legal instruction into her courses.

鈥淧rofessor Boles exemplifies the qualities that this award recognizes,鈥� Bowen Dean Emerita Theresa Beiner said. 鈥淪he is a master teacher; an innovative teacher who incorporates culturally proficient legal instruction in her courses, creating a more inclusive and engaging experience for all of her students; and a mentor to the students in her classes as well as those who participate in her projects in Bowen鈥檚 Center for Racial Justice and Criminal Justice Reform.鈥�

Unlike most law classes, which use the Socratic method, Boles uses a panel system to call on students. This allows students to know what day they will be questioned in class and helps build student confidence.

鈥淚 am extremely honored and humbled to win this award,鈥� Boles said. 鈥淥ur students at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock are so talented. My goal as a Bowen law professor is to help them develop the lawyering skills necessary to become competent, equity-informed, and culturally competent leaders. Many students come to law school wanting to change the world, so I focus on keeping my classes interactive, grounded in social context, and full of opportunities for formative assessment.鈥�

Boles received a J.D. from Columbia Law School and a B.A. (double major) in political science and sociology from Stanford University.

Faculty Excellence Award for Research and Creative Endeavors

Dr. Heidi Skurat Harris is an associate professor and graduate coordinator in the Department of Rhetoric and Writing. With a decade of experience at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Harris has made significant impacts in the research field.

Her research areas of online instruction and online writing program development allow her to use her research data to improve her teaching and advising. She is also a recognized national expert on online writing instruction, editing the Bedford Bibliography of Research in Online Writing Instruction and co-authoring important works such as 鈥淢ultimedia in the College Classroom: Improve Learning and Connect with Students in Online and Hybrid Courses.鈥� She developed 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Graduate Certificate for Online Writing Instruction, the only certificate of its kind in the nation.

鈥淚 am deeply passionate about online education and continually strive to enhance the student experience,鈥� Skurat Harris said. 鈥淲hether in the classroom or engaging with students online, I am committed to fostering meaningful interactions that remind students of the human connection behind the screen. When working with online students, it’s especially important to be present in the classroom and interact with students so they know there is a human behind the screen that cares about them.鈥�

Her experiences in teaching and advising online students drive her research agenda. In the last five years, Skurat Harris has published four book chapters, 12 journal articles, a bibliography, and two co-edited books. Her research further appears in books such as 鈥淔oundational Practices in Online Writing Instruction鈥� and in some of the top journals in the field, including Technical Communication Quarterly, Computers & Composition, and Communication Quarterly.

Skurat Harris received her Ph.D. in English and an M.A. in English from Ball State University, an M.A. in writing from Missouri State University, and a B.A. in English from the College of the Ozarks.

Faculty Excellence Award for Public Service

Dr. Noureen Siraj is an associate professor of chemistry at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. She is involved in numerous organizations within and outside the university. At 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, she serves on the Awards Committee in the Chemistry Program, the Chemical Safety Committee, the Faculty Senate Honors and Awards Committee, and the Student Research and Creative Works Committee. Outside the university, she serves as a grant proposal reviewer for many state and federal agencies including the National Science Foundation and NASA.

Since 2020, she has served as the Chemistry Olympiad Coordinator for the American Chemical Society. The Central Arkansas American Chemical Society honored her with two prestigious awards in 2023 – Central Arkansas Professor of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

Siraj has played a significant role in the community by helping build pathways to STEM careers for underserved children in Little Rock, as well as encouraging students, especially female students, to follow their STEM-related interests. Over the past five years, Siraj has mentored 22 middle and high school students for their science fair projects, three of whom have won awards at the International Science and Engineering Fair.

鈥淚t feels wonderful to be recognized for the efforts I鈥檝e been putting in with students for many years,鈥� Siraj said. 鈥淚 try to do my best to provide students with as many opportunities as possible. I have seen many undergraduate students in Arkansas who don鈥檛 know the future of STEM majors during their studies. I work with my students very closely so that they can see the big picture and the opportunities that await them. I am very proud that some of my minority and first-generation college students who have graduated are now working at national laboratories and making a big difference for their families and in the world. I have received many blessings in my life, and I enjoy public service activities because I want to share my blessings with others.鈥�

She received a Ph.D. in chemistry from Graz University of Technology in Austria and a bachelor鈥檚 degree and master鈥檚 degree in chemistry from the University of Karachi in Pakistan.

Faculty Excellence Award for Rising Faculty

Kiel Thorlton, assistant professor in the School of Mass Communication, joined the university in 2020 and has become well known for his film work and mentoring students.

Thorlton鈥檚 film work includes writing, directing, and co-producing a feature film called 鈥淎 Place Called Home鈥� and writing episodes for the animated series, 鈥淕abriel and the Guardians.鈥� He is currently in preproduction on a second feature film, 鈥淭he Invisible,鈥� where he serves as writer, director, and co-producer.

鈥淚 am so thankful to receive this award because there are some really talented people in the rising faculty pool. In the classroom setting, I try to emphasize working with my students outside of the classroom as much as possible,鈥� said Thorlton, adding that he was headed straight to the set to help a student with his capstone project. 鈥淭here is a lot that can be learned outside the classroom when you have the opportunity and take the initiative to learn new skills.鈥�

Additionally, he is also the coordinating producer for ESPN+ and manages a student crew responsible for over 100 broadcasts a year. Thorlton received a M.F.A in film & television from Regent University and a B.A. in mass communication and theatre from Campbellsville University.

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The university-level Faculty Excellence winners will be announced at the April 4 ceremony at 6 p.m. in the Schueck, McCarty, Lexicon Inc. Auditorium in the Engineering and Information Technology Building.

More information on the Donaghey College of STEM winners and excerpts from their nomination letters are below:

Faculty Excellence Award for Research and Creative Endeavors

Dr. Talburt is the director of the Information Quality Graduate Program at 糖心Vlog传媒 at Little Rock, a professor of information science, and Acxiom chair of information quality.

Talburt has been very active in scholarship over the past five years. He has played a major role in projects that involve graduate assistantships for master鈥檚 and doctoral programs, which provide great opportunities to students of those programs.

In addition to securing funded research grants, Talburt has historically published several research articles each year, often co-authoring with students and alumni to help 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students establish research credentials. He has also given many presentations in campus and industry talks and conferences.

Faculty Excellence Award for Public Service

Dr. Siraj is an associate professor of chemistry at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Siraj has served in numerous committees in the chemistry department, including the awards committee, the schedule committee, chemical safety committee, chemistry program technology committee, among several others. In addition to her service within the chemistry program, Siraj has also served in various university committees, such as the faculty senate honors and awards committee, the students research and creative works committee, and the college combination task force, among others.

Siraj has also been involved in professional and community service outside the university. The Central Arkansas American Chemical Society honored her with two prestigious awards in 2023; Central Arkansas Professor of the Year and Volunteer of the Year. Over the past five years, Siraj has mentored 22 middle and high school students for their science fair projects, three of whom have won awards at the Scientific Review Committee for International Science and Engineering Fair.

Siraj has played a significant role in the community by helping build pathways to STEM careers for underserved children in Little Rock, as well as encouraging students, especially female students, to follow their STEM-related interests.

Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching

Dr. Turner is an assistant professor of construction management and civil and construction engineering at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Turner has exhibited great dedication to providing an enhanced educational experience to students within her program. In 2019, Turner secured two grants that significantly advanced teaching resources within her department.

Turner employs an innovative approach when it comes to teaching, integrating traditional lectures with interactive approaches and accommodating different learning styles. She strives to foster a positive educational environment of inclusivity where students feel heard and valued. Turner goes above and beyond for students by analyzing student feedback and adapting to their educational needs.

Faculty Excellence Award for Social Justice

Dr. Moore is the Learning Assistant (LA) program coordinator at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, the director of undergraduate research, as well as the director of the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participants (LSAMP). When asked to lead LSAMP, the program had not had leadership for over a year. Moore worked hard to revive the program by recruiting more students to attend 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock as part of the LSAMP program cohort, and built a program that includes weekly activities such as career mentoring, professional training, and service opportunities.

The Learning Assistants program allows students who have recently completed a course to help the next group of students who take the class. During their first semester assisting in the classroom, LAs take a course on pedagogy to help them facilitate learning for other students. As Learning Assistants program coordinator, Moore has expanded the LA program participation from four to 12 faculty members who now use 35 LAs. Moore also partnered with Dr. Mark Baillie and Dr. Lundon Pinneo to write a grant which allows LAs to receive stipends for their leadership roles.

As director of undergraduate research, Moore has doubled the number of student applications for research grants. The diversity and number of students who have their research funded has vastly increased under his leadership.

Faculty Excellence Award for Rising Faculty

Dr. Ghosh is an assistant professor of engineering at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Over the past two years, Ghosh has demonstrated his commitment to student success, teaching three courses each semester and performing well in all of them. Ghosh has joined the Mobile Institute of Scientific Teaching and Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence in order to become an even more effective instructor, and has established a successful research and education program in thin film fabrication and characterization.

Ghosh is known for his team-player mentality, which has facilitated the establishment of research partnerships between universities and more. Currently, Ghosh is involved with two projects with faculty from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and Arkansas State University.

Ghosh is also very involved in supporting the research endeavors of undergraduate and graduate students with his mentorship, and several of his undergraduate mentees have received signature experience grants from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship grants from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. These students have presented at the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Student Research and Creative Works Expo and received recognition for their work.

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Dr. Noureen Siraj, associate professor of chemistry, received the Central Arkansas Professor of the Year Award as well as the Volunteer of the Year Award during an April 18 awards ceremony at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

Since joining 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2016, Siraj regularly teaches General Chemistry 2, Analytical Chemistry I, Physical Chemistry for Life Sciences, and a special topic graduate course in analytical chemistry.

鈥淲hen they announced my name, it was very surprising,鈥� Siraj said. 鈥淣o one had given me any clue that I had been nominated to be professor of the year. I am glad they recognize my efforts regarding helping students, improving my teaching, and connecting students with research opportunities.鈥�

In 2022, Siraj received the Faculty Excellence Award in Research and Creative Endeavors from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, noting that her research has been cited more than 700 times since 2016, and she has received more than $1 million in funding from federal, state, and local agencies.

For the Volunteer of the Year Award, Siraj was recognized for her efforts in coordinating the Central Arkansas Chemistry Olympiad. About 200 high school chemistry students in Arkansas regularly take the annual Chemistry Olympiad exam. The top 10 students selected take the national exam to qualify for the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad team, which competes in the International Chemistry Olympiad.

As part of her service activities, Siraj has also mentored more than two dozen middle and high school students who conduct research projects under her supervision. In 2018, Meghana Bollimpalli, one of Siraj鈥檚 mentees from Central High School, earned more than $58,000 in scholarships for her science fair project at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. The high school student became the first student in the history of Arkansas to attain this level of distinction.

鈥淭he Central Arkansas Chemistry Olympiad presents a good opportunity to meet highly talented chemistry students in Arkansas,鈥� Siraj said. 鈥淚 always invite them to come and do research with me. I like giving students the opportunity to participate in research. I give the students a tour of campus and show them the research we are doing in the Department of Chemistry. They can also reach out to any other research groups if they are interested.鈥�

She earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree and master鈥檚 degree in chemistry from the University of Karachi in Pakistan. Siraj earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the Graz University of Technology in Austria and completed postdoctoral research at Louisiana State University.

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