Working under the mentorship of Dr. Sujan Ghosh, a materials science expert and assistant professor of engineering, Frank is focused on creating an eco-friendly alternative to traditional lubricative coatings, which are widely used in the aerospace and automotive industries to reduce friction and enhance wear resistance.

鈥淭his grant is very exciting because I know how competitive it is,鈥� Frank said. 鈥淚t gives me the opportunity to gain hands-on research experience and work with Dr. Ghosh, who has one of the most impressive research portfolios I鈥檝e ever seen.鈥�

Frank鈥檚 project seeks to repurpose graphite rods from used batteries, purifying and optimizing them for use as a dry lubricant. This sustainable approach offers a promising alternative to conventional coatings without sacrificing performance.

鈥淭he demand for high-performance, environmentally friendly lubrication solutions is growing, especially in industries where reducing friction is critical,鈥� Frank and Ghosh said in their project abstract. 鈥淏y recycling graphite, we鈥檙e providing a more sustainable option while maintaining excellent tribological properties.鈥�

The research involves purifying the recycled graphite and optimizing its particle size before combining it with a binder system to enhance adhesion, durability, and mechanical integrity. The coating will be applied to stainless-steel substrates and analyzed using surface morphology studies, tribological testing, and thermal stability evaluations.

Initial findings indicate that the recycled graphite-based coating performs comparably or even better than conventional graphite coatings, making it a strong candidate for future industrial applications.

After graduating in May, Frank is now pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in mechanical engineering at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, with a particular interest in energy and sustainability engineering.

Outside of research, Frank is actively involved on campus as a member of Tau Alpha Pi, an engineering technology honor society, the Little Rock Robotics Team, as well as a musician, playing trumpet in the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Wind Ensemble and Little Rock Pep Band.

鈥淭his project is a great opportunity to explore research and development, and it will be a strong addition to my resume,鈥� Frank said. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to see where this work can go in the future.鈥�

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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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鈥淎s a first-time applicant, I am profoundly grateful to have been bestowed with such a prestigious grant, a recognition that far exceeded my expectations,鈥� said Rodriguez. 鈥淩eceiving this grant has been an immense honor for me, and I am filled with deep appreciation.鈥�

Rodriguez received $2,750 in total to put toward her research, winning $2,125 from the SURF grant, as well as $625 matched by 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

Rodriguez has long been intrigued by migrant issues, an oft-discussed topic in the Rodriguez household. She dove deeper into the subject through her academic pursuits, seeking to understand the factors influencing Oaxacan immigrants鈥� choice of Arkansas as their destination.

鈥淚 am a first-generation Mexican-American in the United States,鈥� explained Rodriguez. 鈥淢y parents are Oaxacan, and I always asked them, 鈥榳hy Arkansas?鈥�

Citing statistics from 2023-2024, which placed Arkansas at 49th in crime and corrections, 43rd in education, 47th in health, 40th in infrastructure, and 29th in opportunity, Rodriguez questioned the underlying factors driving Oaxacan immigrants to the state.

These questions led Rodriguez to do her own research examining what factors play into Oaxacan immigration to the U.S. The comparative study investigates the push and pull theory in relation to both Oaxacan migrants and non-migrants, focusing on the impact of political, social, and economic factors in migration decisions. Her research revealed some expected results, as well as some unexpected.

鈥淢y research has given me a more detailed answer to my question: 鈥榃hy Arkansas?鈥欌�� said Rodriguez.  鈥淭his study fills a significant gap in immigrant literature regarding Oaxacan immigrants and analyzes authentic responses regarding what drives them to migrate to Arkansas. My findings support the common assumption that economic factors are the most prevalent. Surprisingly, social factors are equally significant, which was unexpected.”

After graduation, Rodriguez plans to pursue the legal field and court interpreting, and hopes to see others continue to explore the complexities of migration through research.

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