A paper co-authored by Dr. Fabricio Medina-Bolivar, professor of plant metabolic engineering, was published in Plants. The paper describes a novel approach to produce cajaninstilbene acid, a compound from pigeon pea with neuroprotective, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The first author is Medina-Bolivar’s Ph.D. student in molecular biosciences, Gaurav Gajurel. Dr. Luis Nopo-Olazabal and undergraduate student Emily Hendrix also were co-authors. The article is online.

Dr. Edward Salo, associate professor of history, presented a paper at “Rethinking War,” a virtual interdisciplinary conference at the University of Pittsburgh. Salo’s paper explored how writers have used comic books to explore the human side of war, and as a setting for traditional comic stories, while others have used the setting of Afghanistan for supernatural or non-realistic tales as allegory for issues like insurgency and the Taliban.

Several additional staff members have been recognized by Staff Senate for achieving service milestones this year. Jeffrey Bailey, Ellis Library, and Mark Reeves, Publications and Creative Services, have attained 30 years of service. Recognized with 20 years were Theresa Bohanon, Childhood Services; Jerilyn Bowman and Shawn Brewer, Planning Design and Construction; Lara Buford, Research and Technology Transfer; Donald Elliott, Facilities Management; David Foster, Energy Management; Frankie Gilliam, Delta Center for Economic Development; Brenda Goodwin, School of Nursing; Mendy Hendrix, University Advancement; Shannon Lincoln, Information and Technology Services; Michele McGinnis, Liberal Arts; Susan Murphy, Nursing and Health Professions; Kelly Ponder, Residence Life; and Thomas Risch, Research and Technology Transfer.

Johnathan Reaves, KASU news director, has been reelected to a two-year term as president of the board of directors of the Public Media Journalists Association, which provides training and resources to journalists at public media stations nationally.  First appointed to the board as a small station representative, Reaves was reelected in 2019, then appointed president in August 2020 to fill a vacancy. He will serve through June 2024.

Congratulations to Tawnya Waymack, selected for the June PROPS (Proudly Recognizing Our Pack Staff) Award by the Staff Senate committee that oversees the program. Waymack serves as a transfer coach, assisting students at the Arkansas State University-Beebe campus. She was recognized for her dedication and effectiveness assisting those needing help with transferring to A-State. Her nomination and interview are online.