Congratulations to Dr. Kyle Gustafson, assistant professor of biological sciences, who is the principal investigator (PI) for a newly awarded research grant, the Building Research Capacity of New Faculty in Biology (BRC-BIO), from the National Science Foundation. Gustafson and his research team will study the ecological and evolutionary processes that shape host and parasite communities at various levels of biological organization. Details are in a news release.

Dr. Erin Cameron, assistant professor of clarinet, is serving on the faculty of Arkansas Governor’s School (AGS) in Russellville. This is her fourth year on the faculty, teaching classes in instrumental music. AGS is a four-week program for rising gifted and talented high school seniors from across the state. The students take non-credit, college-level courses in their area of specialization, as well as studying ethics and culture.

Faculty from the College of Nursing and Health Professions travelled to China to teach as guest faculty at Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province. The team consisted of Dr. Audrey Folsom, assistant professor of clinical laboratory sciences, Dr. Jennifer Heisser, assistant professor of nursing, Dr. Ben Poku, assistant professor of emergency management and occupational health, and Fredrick Webb, assistant professor of social work. Over a five-week period, they taught six courses in the health studies program to freshmen, sophomores and juniors, 12 of whom will arrive soon at A-State to finish their senior year in the health studies program.

Dr. Mohammad Abrar Alam, professor of chemistry, served as editor for a thematic issue of the professional journal Frontiers in Chemistry. The issue, which carries the theme “Five-membered Heterocycles: Synthesis and Applications,” is available online. Alam also authored an editorial for the journal, in which he discusses the role of five-membered heterocycles in drug discovery. The editorial is also online.

Dr. Cliff E. Jones, deputy director, Delta Center for Economic Development, will present the keynote address for the Arkansas Farm Bureau’s 76th annual Officers and Leaders Conference, to be held Friday and Saturday at the Red Wolf Convention Center. Themed “Breaking New Boundaries,” the event will feature professional development sessions, commodity division meetings, and recognition of outstanding Young Farmer and Rancher families. More than 500 Farm Bureau leaders are expected to attend.