UA Little Rock Installs Cutting-Edge Mass Spectrometer to Enhance Student Training and Research

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is expanding its scientific capabilities with the installation of a new state-of-the-art mass spectrometer, thanks to a $40,000 grant from Arkansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (AR INBRE) and $65,000 in matching funds from the university.

The investment supports student learning and faculty research in the School of Physical Sciences while helping prepare students for careers in science and industry. The mass spectrometer, which was installed in the Department of Chemistry during the spring semester, is the first of its kind at UA Little Rock and places the university among a small number of institutions in Arkansas with this advanced technology.

“This instrument gives our students hands-on experience with a sophisticated tool that’s used widely in industry,” said Dr. Brian Walker, assistant professor of chemistry and principal investigator on the grant. “It connects what students learn in the classroom to real-world applications and gives them a competitive edge in the job market.”

Walker co-authored the grant with co-principal investigators Dr. Noureen Siraj, associate professor of chemistry, and Dr. Juliette Rivero Walker, instructor of chemistry. The purchase was also made possible through the support of the Graduate School and the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Mass spectrometry is a critical tool in modern chemistry that allows researchers to analyze the chemical composition of substances by measuring the mass of molecules. The new instrument offers expanded capabilities, including multiple sampling methods and a broad mass detection range of up to 2,000 mass units, which far surpasses the university’s previous limitations.

“The versatility of this machine is what makes it especially valuable,” Walker said. “It can analyze samples directly from a crude reaction mixture, even from a TLC plate, without having to purify the compound first. That saves researchers significant time and opens the door for more exploratory work.”

In addition to its research applications in small molecule synthesis, pharmaceutical analysis, and material identification, the mass spectrometer will be integrated into undergraduate teaching labs beginning this fall. Faculty plan to use it for exercises such as identifying medicine tablets by mass or analyzing trace compounds on common surfaces, such as testing dollar bills for chemical residues.

“This will give students the opportunity to run their own samples and immediately see the data generated,” Walker said. “It’s one thing to talk about a technique in a lecture; it’s another to use it yourself and interpret the results. That level of engagement deepens their learning.”

The mass spectrometer will also be available for use by faculty across the School of Physical Sciences. Walker said students and researchers interested in using the machine will be required to complete a brief training with him, Siraj, or Rivero. Walker said the instrument also represents a strategic investment in workforce training.

“Not every student will go to graduate school,” Walker said. “Many want to go straight into the workforce after graduating with their bachelor’s degree. Having experience with high-end instrumentation like this gives these students a real advantage when it comes to finding a job and lets faculty pivot toward building skills that are in high demand.”

Walker expressed gratitude to the university for its support.

“I want to thank the university leadership for putting up the additional funding and making this purchase possible,” he said. “It’s an investment in both our students and our faculty, and it shows UA Little Rock’s commitment to excellence in STEM education.”