While graduate or doctoral-level research may seem out of reach for many undergraduate students, six at UALR have earned state-supported grants to continue in-depth research in their chosen fields.

The Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) has awarded Statewide Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) totaling more than $20,000 to the students who are working with faculty mentors at UALR on a wide range of projects.

Only 67 SURF awards were recognized out of the 225 SURF applications received from around the state this year, according to Jonathan Coleman, ADHE program coordinator.

UALR SURF awardees include

• Benjamin Bradley, a senior from Little Rock, is pursuing a double major in anthropology and French. He is conducting his research project, “Multi-Modal Communication in Captive Chimpanzees,” with his faculty mentor, Kathryn King, assistant professor of anthropology. “Ben is an independent and creative thinker, and he never fails to impress me with his insights and ideas,” said King. Bradley is also a Donaghey Scholar.
• Zachary Hicks, a senior from Searcy, is majoring in both chemistry and biology. His project, “Conductive Polymer and Ligand Graphene and Carbon Nanotubes for Developing Economic Fuel Cell Cathodes,” focuses on advances in nanotechnology. Hicks’ faculty mentor is Tito Viswanathan, professor of chemistry. “Zach is a rare and excellent student,” said Viswanathan. “He is totally dedicated to both his research and school work and excels in both.” Hicks is also a student in the Donaghey Scholars Program.
• Sarah Lassiter is a senior from Little Rock. She is conducting her research project, “Attraction Effects and Self Control,” under the mentorship of Benjamin Kowal, visiting assistant professor of psychology. “Sarah is an exceptional student with the rare ability to analyze problems in the science of human behavior from both philosophical and psychological perspectives,” said Kowal. Lassiter is a double major in psychology and philosophy.
• L. Miguel Lopez is pursuing his undergraduate degree in political science. He is conducting his research project, “Killing From Above: Assessing America’s Drone Strategy,” under Rebecca Glazier, assistant professor of political science. Glazier said, “Miguel is a great student, one of the most hardworking and ambitious I have ever had the privilege of teaching.” Lopez, a senior from Little Rock, is also in the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program.
• Autumn Rouse, a junior from Bryant and a student in the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps, is majoring in computer systems engineering. She, with her faculty mentor, Seshadri Mohan, professor of systems engineering, is developing her research project, “Design and Implementation of Efficient Algorithms for Cognitive Radio Networking with a Relay Using Software.” Mohan said, “I was impressed with Autumn’s drive to obtain a deep understanding of the subject matter.”
• Zachary Smith, a post-baccalaureate student from Little Rock, is researching “Catalytic Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol,” with the assistance of mentor, Anindya Ghosh, assistant professor of chemistry. “Zach is a tenacious and brilliant student, who pushes himself to understand chemistry for his intellectual curiosity and to apply his knowledge for his future career,” said Ghosh. Smith is completing his studies in chemistry.