Dr. Drew Fleming (left), assistant professor of mechanical engineering, and Dr. Rajesh Sharma (right), associate professor and director of the engineering technology program, are leading the launch of a new undergraduate certificate program in advanced materials and manufacturing. The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved plans for the program at its July meeting. Donations from industry representatives are assisting with a lab and other start-up costs.

Dr. Cliff Jones (left), deputy director, Delta Center for Economic Development, organized the second annual Leadership in Banking series, a monthly gathering of regional bankers who explore contemporary issues and skills related to the industry. Dr. David Kern (right), associate professor of finance, and McAdams Frierson Chair of Bank Management, lead the first session, which was attended by 25 professionals from 17 area banks.

Dr. Anahita Izadyar, professor of chemistry, has received two more research grants. One is the College of Sciences and Mathematics seed grant of $7,815 for "Development of Novel Graphene-Based Double Polymer Membrane Sensors Using Ion-Transfer Stripping Voltammetry (ITSV) Technique to Nanomolar Detection of Phosphate in Water." The Regional I-Corps National Science Foundation Fund provided $5,000 for "Using corn to develop a disposable electrochemical sensor for glucose detection."

Dr. Edward Salo, professor of history, attended the inaugural Faculty Seminar at the National World War II Museum, a military history museum in New Orleans. The goal of the seminar leaders was to further develop current college and university faculty members’ knowledge and understanding of World War II, especially for those who wish to teach, advocate or design history courses regarding this significant conflict.

Dr. Kyle Gustafson, assistant professor of biology and principal investigator, along with Taylor Fiedor, graduate student in the doctoral program in environmental sciences, Samuel Messinides, graduate student in the doctoral program in molecular biosciences and presenter, and Faith Stephens, undergraduate student in biotechnology, received the top poster presentation award at the American Society of Parasitologists conference in Denver. The Gustafson lab’s work represents the largest parasite sequencing effort in Arkansas.