Starting July 1, Dr. Ginger Gummelt will begin her role as dean of the College of Business, Health, and Human Services (CBHHS), while Dr. Tansel Karabacak will take the helm as dean of the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Both leaders bring fresh energy, proven experience, and a strong commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and strategic innovation.

鈥淒ean Gummelt and Dean Karabacak each bring unique strengths to their roles,鈥� said Dr. Ann Bain, provost and executive vice chancellor at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淭heir vision and leadership will help advance our mission to provide students with proven, real-world educational opportunities while supporting research and partnerships that benefit Arkansas and beyond.鈥�

Gummelt joins 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock from Lamar University, where she chaired a large interdisciplinary department of sociology, social work, criminal justice, and anthropology. Throughout her career, she has expanded workforce partnerships and prioritized student-centered learning.

鈥淚鈥檓 honored to join a university that is deeply embedded in the community and committed to student opportunity,鈥� Gummelt said. 鈥淚 look forward to working with our faculty, staff, and external partners to enhance academic programs, elevate workforce readiness, and create innovative pathways for students to succeed.鈥�

With degrees in psychology and social work, Gummelt brings expertise in behavioral health and applied human services to a college that spans multiple disciplines, from business and nursing to criminal justice and education. She succeeds Professor Tom Clifton, who served as interim dean of CBHHS for two years.

Karabacak transitioned into the dean鈥檚 role in the Donaghey College of STEM after nearly two decades of leadership, teaching, and research at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. As director of the School of Physical Sciences, he united multiple academic units into one of the university鈥檚 most research-active schools and supported more than $9 million in external grant funding.

鈥淥ur college is filled with talented faculty, dedicated staff, and innovative students,鈥� Karabacak said. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to build on the incredible work already underway and expand the college鈥檚 impact through interdisciplinary research, industry partnerships, and cutting-edge academic programs.鈥�

Karabacak, an Arkansas Research Alliance Fellow who holds multiple U.S. patents, is a nationally recognized expert in nanotechnology and energy applications. He succeeds Dr. Jeff Connelly, who served as interim dean after the departure of Dr. Lawrence Whitman.

Both new deans are stepping into their roles at a time of growth and transformation for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Fall 2025 admissions for CBHHS are up nearly 23 percent over last year, while fall admissions in the Donaghey College of STEM are up nearly 18 percent.

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Welcomes New Deans to Campus appeared first on News.

A longtime faculty member and nationally recognized researcher, Karabacak brings more than two decades of leadership, teaching, and research experience to the role. He currently serves as director of the School of Physical Sciences, where he has played a pivotal role in fostering interdisciplinary research and growing the school into one of the university鈥檚 most research-active academic units.

鈥淒r. Karabacak鈥檚 dedication to student success, research excellence, and interdisciplinary innovation makes him the ideal person to lead DCSTEM into its next chapter,鈥� said Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Ann Bain. 鈥淗e is widely respected across campus for his collaborative approach.鈥�

Karabacak succeeds Interim Dean Jeff Connelly who has served during the academic year after Dr. Lawrence Whitman left for a deanship at Kennesaw State University. 

鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for Jeff鈥檚 leadership during this transition,鈥� Bain said. 鈥淗is steady guidance helped maintain the college鈥檚 momentum and positioned it well for this next phase under Dr. Karabacak鈥檚 leadership.鈥�

Karabacak brings a strong record of strategic leadership and research success. As director, he guided the integration of the Chemistry, Earth Science, and Physics and Astronomy programs, uniting them under the School of Physical Sciences. Under his leadership, faculty have secured approximately $9 million in grant funding and expanded research collaborations across disciplines.

An Arkansas Research Alliance Fellow, Karabacak holds multiple U.S. patents and has received several university and national awards for his research in nanostructured materials and energy applications. His lab continues to mentor doctoral students while supporting research funded by agencies such as NASA, the Department of Energy, and the National Science Foundation.

鈥淚 am truly honored to serve as the next dean of DCSTEM,鈥� Karabacak said. 鈥淥ur faculty and staff are committed to innovation, collaboration, and creating opportunities for students. I鈥檓 excited to build on the college鈥檚 momentum and strengthen our impact on the university, the state, and beyond.鈥�

Karabacak earned his Ph.D. in physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and joined 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2006. He has served in a wide range of academic leadership roles, including graduate coordinator, department chair, and director.

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Names Tansel Karabacak Dean of the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics appeared first on News.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Advancing Bone Regeneration Technology

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

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

Innovations in Urban Farming with Nanotechnology

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

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

Developing Antibacterial Stainless-Steel Surfaces

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

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

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

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Researchers Receive Arkansas Research Alliance Impact Grants appeared first on News.