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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As a project of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Aerospace Club, Will Fausel, a sophomore electrical and computer engineering major from Sherwood, has been launching small balloons from campus that can be used for scientific research, with his faculty mentor, Dr. Bruce Bauer, a senior instructor in information science.

They are known as Pico balloons, lightweight plastic helium balloons which contain a lightweight amateur radio transmitter that are used for long duration ballooning. These types of research balloons can reach heights of up to 60,000 feet, which allows for stratospheric access.

The balloons are equipped with a beacon that transmits GPS and altitude that can be picked up by radio operators on the Weak Signal Propagation Reporter (WSPR), a protocol which is used for weak-signal radio communication between amateur radio operators. The data is then uploaded to the internet, where Fausel and Bauer can track the balloon鈥檚 progress.

They鈥檝e had mixed success with their four launches. The first balloon traveled nearly 1,800 miles over three days. They鈥檝e had the most success with the second balloon released in October, which traveled more than 11,000 miles over five days and 19 hours. The last radio signal was picked up somewhere around Perth, Australia. The third flight, sadly, never made it off campus as the wind blew it into a tree. And the most recent flight traveled 530 miles over three days to North Carolina.

鈥淭he beacon transmits every two minutes, so that鈥檚 how often we can receive updates,鈥� Bauer said. 鈥淧owered by two solar cells, the beacons can鈥檛 transmit at night. We launched the first balloon in April 2024 and aim to reach a schedule of launching a balloon every couple of weeks. In the future, these Pico balloons can carry sensors for additional measurements and even conduct experiments.鈥�

Fausel has received a Signature Experience Grant from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock for the 2024-25 school year, which allowed him and Bauer to continue building and launching more balloons. They are trying to determine how best to launch the balloons to ensure a successful journey, what materials to use that can make the project more affordable and long lasting, and what research can be done with the balloons. They have a goal of launching a Pico balloon that will circumnavigate the Earth.聽聽

鈥淲e aim to turn this project into an outreach program for high schools across Arkansas, especially those with limited access to STEM hands-on resources,鈥� Fausel said. 鈥淓ach launch is designed to be simple, reliable, with no need for FAA approval, and affordable, costing less than $100. We will soon be ordering more beacons to facilitate more complex launches. There’s a lot to consider on this front.鈥�

The program, which starts with small-scale launches, envisions providing pre-built balloon kits for high school classes, giving young learners a hands-on STEM experience without needing FAA approval or expensive equipment.

Fausel is also planning to apply for a grant from the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium to continue to develop his high school initiative. If he receives the grant, Fausel and his group will have the resources and connections to begin collaborating with high schools while creating ballooning kits.

Fausel envisions that these ballooning kits can be used by a high school teacher for a week-long lesson that culminates with the class assembling, launching, and collecting data from their own Pico balloon from the kit. Students can learn about topics like radio propagation, programming, GPS, gas buoyancy, basic electronics, weather data, and more.

The next Pico balloon launch will be on Friday, May 2, depending on the weather. Updates on time and location will be posted on the

Contact Fausel at wrfausel@ualr.edu or Bauer at blbauer@ualr.edu for more information.

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Lenora Jackson-Ayers, who works as a regional team leader and child welfare trainer at MidSOUTH, leveraged the knowledge and training she gained through her coursework to successfully write and receive a $150,000 grant from the Arkansas Department of Public Safety Division of Emergency Management for her church, Evangelist Temple Church in Little Rock, where she is a longtime volunteer.

Her work with Evangelist Temple began when she was pursuing a Master of Social Work degree at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2005. She completed a community assessment for the Southwest Little Rock area as part of her program, and her church started an outreach center with a food pantry and Clothing closet in 2005 to help the community.

Fast forward to 2023 and Jackson-Ayers began pursuing a MPA and a nonprofit management certificate, which she will earn in the spring 2025 semester.

鈥淚 am a volunteer program coordinator at my church, and my motivation for furthering my education is to learn more about how to run a volunteer program and manage a nonprofit organization,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 took a grant writing class, and the class helped me learn how to research what grants I can apply for and how to formulate answers for the application. This is only the second grant I鈥檝e ever applied for, and it was so rewarding to have the grant approved.鈥�

The Nonprofit Security Grant provides funding for Evangelist Temple to purchase fencing and security cameras for the church, as well as for church members, and community members to undergo active shooter training. The Nonprofit Security Grant program supports the security and resilience of eligible non-profit organizations that may be at a higher risk of violence by providing financial assistance to improve physical security infrastructure and security enhancements.

鈥淗aving the skills to go out and secure grants for my church has been amazing,鈥� Jackson-Ayers said. 鈥淚 think everybody should have the right to feel safe and secure, and sometimes you can鈥檛 do it without external funding. I feel that if I hadn鈥檛 had the formal training in the classroom, I might still be trying to figure out how to write that grant.鈥�

This achievement underscores the strength of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 MPA program in fostering leaders committed to serving their communities with purpose and passion.

鈥淟enora鈥檚 work embodies the mission of the MPA program鈥攖o prepare public service leaders who are ready to solve real-world problems,鈥� said Dr. Derek Slagle, director of the School of Public Affairs. 鈥淗er achievement showcases the positive impact our students are making in the community every day.鈥�

Additionally, Jackson-Ayers wrote another successful grant for $3,700 from the Arkansas Foodbank that will allow Evangelist Temple to buy refrigerators to store fresh food for use in their food pantry. She remains dedicated to using the skills she鈥檚 learned in the MPA program to help secure more grants to help Evangelist Temple continue their work of helping people in Little Rock.

鈥淕rowing up in the small town of Helena, Arkansas, where there were not a lot of resources but a lot of people in need was my motivation to want to help others,鈥� she said. 鈥淲ith my acquired classroom skills and training, I feel more confident about my abilities to secure funding to continue to play a role helping to secure financial resources for the church that serves the community. I hope to be able to make a bigger impact in the future.鈥�

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The open house will take place from 1-3 p.m. Friday, March 14, in Stabler Hall 107. Attendees will have the chance to view historical artifacts discovered on campus from the site with expert interpretations, participate in a mock excavation, and join a guided tour of the excavation site (weather permitting).

The open house is an opportunity for students, faculty, and community members to engage with the university鈥檚 ongoing archaeology project, which aims to uncover the rich history of the land where the campus now stands.

鈥淥ur campus has a much deeper history than people know,鈥� said Dr. Maureece Levin, assistant professor of anthropology at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淭his open house is a chance for people to see what we鈥檝e recovered, try their hand at archaeological recovery, and learn about the past through hands-on experience.鈥�

The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Garden Site Archaeology Project began in Fall 2023, when students in the Archaeological Investigation class uncovered the foundation of the mid-20th-century Safeway Ice Cream Plant and recovered more than 400 historical artifacts.

The project, supported by a grant from the Arkansas Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities, as well as 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education (CHASSE), provides both students and community members with hands-on archaeological fieldwork experience.

鈥淭his event is a great way to support our interns and students as they share what they鈥檝e learned,鈥� Levin said. 鈥淲e want to invite the community to see how archaeology helps us understand the history of our own campus.鈥�

No prior experience is necessary to participate, and all are welcome to attend. For more information about the project or to get involved, contact Levin at mlevin@ualr.edu or if you would like to volunteer.

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Dr. Tusty ten Bensel, associate dean of the College of Business, Health, and Human Services and professor of criminal justice, and Dr. Robert Lytle, associate professor of criminal justice, received a three-year $324,987 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant in 2021 to study anti-Muslim sentiment and hate crimes in Arkansas.

The Research Experience for Undergraduates program provided 10 talented undergraduate students with a funded opportunity to engage in research. During the final summer of the program, student researchers studied the perceptions of lawmakers as to the extent of hate crimes against Muslims as well as the obstacles in passing hate crime legislation in Arkansas.

鈥淲e spent this summer talking with policy makers and looking at some of the transcripts of public hearings related to the hate crime bills that were passed in Arkansas a few years ago,鈥� Lytle said. 鈥淭he goal was to learn about the policy process and to look at how we as a state respond to hate crimes. The first two years of the study we focused on understanding what hate crimes and anti-Muslim sentiment looks like. This year, we were able to talk with some legislators. The students also transcribed videos of committee and floor meetings in which legislators debated the hate crime bill. The videos are publicly available on the state’s General Assembly website.鈥�

This year鈥檚 summer researchers included Sophia Atwell of George Mason University, Emily Flesher of the University of Oklahoma, Brandon Goetz of Wartburg College, Maya Hwang of Los Angeles Pierce College, Aneesha Lawrence of Howard University, Alexandra Kazen of the University of Texas at Austin, Justin Paolino of Bard College, Star Purchase of Indiana University-Indianapolis, Marybeth Sloat of Husson University, and Ayshe Yeter of the University of Kentucky.

鈥淚 am really interested in research in the social sciences,鈥� said Goetz, a senior psychology and criminal justice major. 鈥淚 think my future career interest is in counseling psychology and graduate school will be research oriented. I wanted to take a summer to home in on these skills and get involved in a research project. I wanted to learn skills that will help me in my career.鈥�

This year鈥檚 cohort built upon the work of the previous two summer cohorts. Last year, the students studied the extent and scope of anti-Muslim hate crimes in Arkansas. The 2022 group analyzed qualitative interview data with members of the Muslim community in Central Arkansas to identify common patterns and themes in experiences with anti-Muslim sentiment and hate crime.

Yeter, a senior political science major, was especially interested in exploring the political side of things as she is interested in practicing public service law in the future.

鈥淭he most interesting thing for me was to see how much the legislative process can change from state to state,鈥� Yeter said. 鈥淲e got to visit the Arkansas State Capitol, sit in on a committee hearing, and interview legislators. This summer is like a boot camp for research. We basically did everything a Ph.D. student does in their first year during our eight weeks here.鈥�

During the summer program in June and July, the student researchers participated in research and content workshops, alumni presentations, experiential activities, collecting and analyzing data, writing a research brief on findings, and participating in a final presentation for internal and external stakeholders.

鈥淚 am originally from Arkansas so being able to do research in my home state was really cool,鈥� said Flesher, a junior public health and art therapy major. 鈥淕etting to study communities that are near and dear to my heart has been great. My university research experience is primarily focused on quantitative skills so getting to focus on qualitative skills has been great as I hope to become a mixed-methods researcher.鈥�

Flesher remains grateful for the summer research opportunity because of all the valuable skills she learned as well as the insight she learned about applying to graduate school.

鈥淭he program has been really helpful in terms of my future career,鈥� Flesher said. 鈥淢y dream job is to be a college professor at a research institution. I鈥檝e really fallen in love with the process of research and what it can do for the world around us.鈥�

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According to the Carnegie classification, R2 institutions are those that awarded at least 20 research/scholarship doctoral degrees during the upgrade year and had at least $5 million in research expenditures.

The university鈥檚 R2 classification signifies high research activity and places 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock among a select group of institutions nationwide. This recognition is based on research expenditures of approximately $8.7 million in fiscal year 2023 and an average of 47 research doctorates awarded from 2020 to 2023.

Brian Berry, vice provost of research and dean of the Graduate School, expressed enthusiasm about the university鈥檚 continued success in research and innovation.

“Earning this designation reaffirms 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 commitment to impactful research that addresses real-world challenges,” Berry said. “Our faculty and students are driving innovation in areas like cybersecurity, biotechnology, data science, and artificial intelligence. With our research activity and external funding on the rise, we鈥檙e excited to build on this momentum and continue making meaningful contributions to Arkansas and beyond.”

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 research portfolio includes major initiatives in cybersecurity, biotechnology, and data science. Key contributors to this research include Dr. Philip Huff, associate professor of cybersecurity; Dr. Alex Biris, director of the Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences, and Dr. Nitin Agarwal, director of the Collaboratorium for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies () Research Center. You can learn more about their groundbreaking research initiatives .

In addition to maintaining its R2 classification, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has seen impressive growth in research funding. Sponsored projects funded by external grants and contracts have increased by 30% over the past four years, while federal research expenditures have risen by 50% during the same period.

鈥淭he hard work of dedicated faculty, researchers, and students continues to drive innovation, economic development, and technological advancements that benefit central Arkansas and beyond,鈥� Berry said.

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock will showcase its student research efforts during the university鈥檚 annual Research and Creative Works Expo from 12-4 p.m. April 18. The event provides an opportunity for faculty, students, and the broader community to explore groundbreaking projects and collaborations.

For more information on 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 research initiatives, visit .

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Jami Eubanks, assistant director of STEM careers and outreach services at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, is passionate about fostering opportunities for women in STEM. With a background in biology and information technology, her journey into science began in sixth grade, thanks to an inspiring teacher, Mrs. Lora Grosvold from Greenwood, Arkansas, who opened her eyes to the possibilities in STEM through hands-on experiences like science fairs and geological field trips.

鈥淪he made me believe in myself and see options for my future,鈥� Eubanks said. 鈥淚 was the first in my family to go to college, and breaking that generational gap was instrumental in shaping who I am today.鈥�

Eubanks has dedicated her career to STEM education, working in both secondary and post-secondary institutions for 16 years. She has seen firsthand the transformative power of mentorship and encouragement, particularly for young women in rural areas who may not have had many role models in science fields.

At 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Eubanks and her colleagues work on multiple programs aimed at engaging young women in STEM. She and Thomas Wallace, coordinator of the Web Design and Development and Information Technology programs, lead the Windstream GIRLS Code summer camp, which introduces participants to coding and computer science concepts in a supportive environment.

Additionally, Eubanks and Wallace recently launched a Girls Who Code College Loop, a new student organization providing mentorship and networking opportunities for female college students pursuing STEM degrees.

The STEM Education Center at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock will also host a Women in Tech Luncheon on March 7, featuring faculty, students, and industry professionals discussing their experiences in the field.

Beyond these initiatives, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock hosts a variety of STEM outreach events, including competitions such as Best Robotics, the Science Olympiad, and the Central Arkansas Regional Science Fair. These events bring students to campus, exposing them to the exciting possibilities in STEM fields.

鈥淩epresentation matters. When young girls see women leading in STEM fields, they realize they can do it too,鈥� Eubanks said. 鈥淭hrough outreach, mentorship, and hands-on experiences, we are breaking barriers and creating pathways for the next generation of female scientists and engineers.鈥�

For Eubanks, the mission extends beyond simply increasing numbers鈥攊t鈥檚 about fostering confidence and ambition in young women. She encourages aspiring female scientists to seek out inspiring mentors, just like Mrs. Grosvold was for her, and surround themselves with supportive networks.

鈥淔inding a female role model who has already broken through those barriers can be life-changing,鈥� she said. 鈥淭heir experience and advice are invaluable.鈥�

As 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock continues to invest in STEM education and outreach, Eubanks remains dedicated to ensuring that all students鈥攅specially young women鈥攈ave the support and resources needed to succeed.

鈥淭his doesn鈥檛 feel like a job,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 believe I get to go out and share opportunities with kids. It鈥檚 especially important to reach those who just need someone to believe in them.鈥�

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After years of challenges and hard work, she鈥檚 ready to turn her lifelong passion for marine biology into a reality, taking the first step on a career path that leads to her ultimate goal of working with sharks.

Her path to success wasn鈥檛 a straight line. After leaving college in Wisconsin at 18 due to financial difficulties, she spent years working in factories and other tough jobs to make ends meet. But at 25, she made a life-changing decision to return to school, enrolling at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2018.

鈥淚t was a gut decision,鈥� Edwards said. 鈥淚 wanted to start fresh, and 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock gave me that chance.鈥�

Edwards was a part-time student for many years, which gave her the flexibility to work full-time. She became a full-time student in 2022, which gave her more opportunities to pursue internships and become involved in student activities like the Biology Club and being a learning assistant.

鈥淎s I got older, I found friends and mentors who challenged me,鈥� Edwards said. 鈥淚 started to grow and started enjoying being a student because I could really embrace it by interacting with faculty, students, and mentors.鈥�

Now 32, Edwards is set to graduate with a degree in biology with a concentration in ecology and organismal biology.

Along the way, she embraced opportunities that fed her passion for marine biology. A pivotal moment came during a 2023 internship in South Africa, where she conducted research with the Shark Research Unit.

鈥淲e tagged smaller sharks, observed great white feeding habits, and even performed autopsies on sharks affected by orca attacks,鈥� she recalled. 鈥淚 cried the first time I saw a great white. It was incredible.鈥�

Edwards also gained valuable experience as an environmental consulting intern and through fieldwork with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, exploring areas from pest management to air quality permits.

Despite balancing part-time school, full-time work, and life鈥檚 challenges, Edwards never lost sight of her dream of studying sharks.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been my obsession since I was five,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y entire life is Shark Week.鈥�

After graduation, Edwards plans to work in the fisheries industry as a stepping stone toward her ultimate goal of becoming a marine biologist. Looking back, she credits her growth to her experience at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淚 made the best friends I鈥檝e ever had and found mentors who challenged me to grow,鈥� Jessica said. 鈥淏eing a non-traditional student came with challenges, but it鈥檚 shaped me in ways I wouldn鈥檛 trade.鈥�

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