CaMPUS - University of Arkansas at Monticello

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Research Grant
r. Mary Stewart, associate professor
Dof biology in the School of Mathematical
and Natural Sciences, has
been awarded a summer research fellowship
from the Arkansas IDeA Networks of
Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE).
Arkansas INBRE is funded by the National
Institutes of Health and provides
mentored collaborations in biomedical
research between faculty at primarily
undergraduate institutions and faculty
at one of the state’s lead institutions
(UAMS, UA-Fayetteville and UA-Little
Rock). Another goal of the Arkansas
INBRE program is to increase the number
of undergraduate students that pursue a
career in biomedical research.
Stewart is collaborating with Dr.
Helen Beneš at UAMS and will conduct
research at UAMS this summer as well
as at UAM. The research will continue
into the academic year and will involve
undergraduate students.
“Being directly involved in research
is an excellent hands-on opportunity
for undergraduate students to expand
learning outside of the classroom and to
explore a career path,” said Stewart.
Stewart’s research focuses on the
similarities of genes in humans and fruit
flies, including genes that have roles in
disease processes. “This,
coupled with the fact that fruit
flies reproduce quickly and
are easy to study, has led
researchers worldwide to use
the fruit fly in research to
understand how mutations
in genes can lead to conditions
such as
diabetes, cardiovascular
disorders and
UAM MAGAZINE
cancers,” Stewart explained. “What we
learn in fruit flies can then be tested and
applied to humans. In my research, I am
working with a strain of fruit flies that
have a mutation that we suspect affects
two genes. These flies develop tumors
and have a syndrome of other effects
that include delayed development and
reduced activity of a hormone. Although
we suspect that two genes are involved,
we don’t know exactly what role each
gene has in causing the tumors or the other
pathologies. Finding out what these
mutant genes do and how this leads to
tumors and the other pathologies are the
overall goals of our research. We hope
that the information we find will be useful
for understanding a group of human
conditions that are caused by mutations
in similar genes.”
Arkansas INBRE was established in
2001 to strengthen the state’s biomedical
research infrastructure, increase the
biomedical research base in Arkansas
by providing research support to the
partner undergraduate institutions so
they can obtain independent funding for
their biomedical research projects, provide
mentored research opportunities
for faculty and undergraduate students
statewide, and enhance the science and
technology base of Arkansas’s future
workforce by developing a cadre of
trained scientists, especially those with
expertise in biomedical research.
Game Generation
B
ryan Fendley, director of academic
computing at UAM, has been selected
to present his ideas at this year’s
2012 Educause Conference, a gathering
of leading higher education information
technology professionals
November 6-9
in Denver, Colo.
Fendley will be
conducting a national
online workshop to
teach faculty and
administrators how to
use video game design principles that can
help students become more engaged in
the college classroom.
According to Fendley, “Generation G”
is the game generation. “They think, solve
problems, and communicate differently
than any previous generation.” Fendley
explained, “Higher education has spent
time training faculty and support staff in
the areas of classroom technologies and
distance learning delivery, but we have
not adequately prepared for the digital
environment where so many of our students
spend their time – video games.”
Fendley is a nationally recognized
leader in distance learning and innovative
teaching methods.
Tree Planting
U
AM students, faculty and staff
planted a yellow poplar tree at the
center of campus recently in observance
of Arbor Day, a nationally-celebrated
observance that encourages tree planting
and care.
The observance is one of five requirements
for the campus to maintain its
standing as part of Tree Campus USA.
UAM was designated a Tree Campus
USA in 2010. “The Tree Campus USA
program is an initiative to foster the development
of the next generation of tree
stewards,” said Jay Jones, vice chancellor
for finance and administration. “The
program is designed to promote healthy
urban forest management.”