NSF EPSCoR Holds Annual Meeting in Little Rock
Thursday, Oct 9, 2008
In an effort to strengthen research and education in science and engineering throughout the state of Arkansas, Arkansas NSF EPSCoR held their annual meeting in collaboration with multiple organizations in a special joint conference of research and academia October 5-7, 2008.
The conference was held over three days in conjunction with the Arkansas Association of Public Universities (AAPU). AAPU, along with the Arkansas Deans Associations, had a variety of breakout sessions on issues of mutual interest. A special legislative panel of Arkansas state senators and representatives discussed issues of relevance to Arkansas’ higher education community. In addition, Arkansas NSF EPSCoR hosted research presentations along with the other major research organizations of Arkansas. Some of the features of the conference included, the Arkansas NASA EPSCoR Research, the Arkansas Biosciences Institute Fall Research Symposium, and the Arkansas Science & Technology Authority’s Networking and Collaboration event, and graduate and undergraduate poster sessions.
Monday Events
Leadership of the Arkansas EPSCoR Management Team (Drs. Gail McClure, John Hehr, Carole Cramer and Vijay Varadan) presented an overview of the Arkansas Asset Initiative Program, discussing the history of EPSCoR support, program research themes and educational outreach in Arkansas. The Arkansas ASSET Initiative was established by the NSF EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Award (RII award). Dr. Vijay Varadan provided an overview of the Wireless Nanosensors and Systems (WiNS) research and Dr. Carole Cramer discussed the Plant-Powered Production (P3) Center both established by the ASSET Initiative. Afternoon presentations focused on specific success of the two focal areas presented by research leaders from the three participating campuses participating in each of the two centers. On behalf of the WiNS Center, Dr. Vijay Varadan presented on Nanosensor Devices, Dr. Shesadri Mohan presented on Computing and Systems Engineering, and Dr. Malathi Srivatsan presented on Nanoneurobiology. Additionally, the P3 Seed Grant recipients, Drs. Fiona Goggin, Hong Li Wang, Fabricio Medina-Bolivar, Maureen Dolan, and Xiuzhen Huang, presented introductions on their newly awarded seed grant projects.
Keynote Speakers
Keynote speakers included Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe and Director of NSF’s Office of Integrative Activities Dr. W. Lance Haworth. Governor Beebe gave a well-received speech stressing a number of key issues regarding the current condition of higher education in the state of Arkansas.
Dr. Haworth informed attendees that there are numerous resources and support available at NSF for both education and research in Arkansas. As an EPSCoR state, Arkansas has improved by increasing its share of NSF funding, but like all other EPSCoR states, Arkansas has yet to reach the final goal of graduating from EPSCoR funding. In an effort to graduate from EPSCoR, Dr. Haworth advised researchers, educators, and policymakers in the state to continue to stimulate collaborations both statewide and regionally. Furthermore, Dr. Haworth added that the Arkansas EPSCoR program should be willing to experiment and will benefit by broadening participation in science and engineering both geographically and institutionally, including two and four year institutions.
Tuesday: Networking Opportunities
In preparation for developing multi-university concepts to be submitted for the 2009 RII cycle, researchers from across the state participated in a unique networking opportunity. Fifty-three researchers presented 7 minute slide programs on their research in an effort to find collaborators from a variety of institutions statewide. Approximately 150 researchers from across Arkansas attended these presentations.
Additionally, the Arkansas Biosciences Institute held its Fall Research Symposium concurrently with the Arkansas Science & Technology Authority networking meeting for Arkansas researchers. Participants of both meetings were able to collaborate with one another to expand current foci and plan future research efforts in Arkansas.
Undergraduate and graduate students from institutions across Arkansas presented their research during the poster sessions.
McNair Scholars
Undergraduate McNair Scholars Kevin Hicks, Nicholas Jackson, Tenia Marshall, Michael Ugbade, and Lisa Wells of Henderson State University (shown at the right with Dr. McClure) attended the annual meeting, allowing them to meet researchers from across the state. This interaction allowed the undergraduate scholars an opportunity to better assess research opportunities in anticipation of graduate studies in Arkansas universities. The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program provides educational opportunities and outreach programs designed to motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
