The achievement places UA 糖心视频logo alongside many of the world’s leading universities,
technology companies, and research laboratories, highlighting the university’s contributions to
cutting-edge AI research.

The paper was co-authored by Agarwal, director of the Collaboratorium for Social
Media and Online Behavioral Studies (COSMOS) Research Center, Maulden-Entergy Chair, and
Donaghey Distinguished Professor of Information Science at UA 糖心视频logo, along with
collaborators from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and the University of Florida.

COSMOS is an interdisciplinary research center that studies online behavior and develops data
analytics tools to better understand online communities and emerging cognitive threats in online information environments.

鈥淣eurIPS is where many of the most influential advances in AI are first introduced,鈥� said
Agarwal, whose research on cognitive security has been recognized by the U.S. Department of
War, NATO, the Five Eyes intelligence alliance (consisting of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States), the World Health Organization, and other
organizations. 鈥淗aving a paper accepted means the research has undergone an extremely
rigorous peer-review process and has been recognized by leading experts in the field as making a meaningful contribution to advancing AI.鈥�

As one of the world鈥檚 most selective AI conferences, the acceptance process is highly
competitive, drawing thousands of submissions from top universities, research labs, and
technology companies across the globe.

鈥淎cceptance reflects both novelty and technical excellence,” said Agarwal, an Arkansas
Academy of Computing fellow, an Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA) fellow, and IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Distinguished Visitor and Senior Member. 鈥淔or COSMOS and UA 糖心视频logo, it demonstrates that the research being conducted here is competing successfully on a global stage alongside some of the world’s leading AI institutions. It reinforces that impactful, internationally recognized AI research is being developed right here in Arkansas.鈥�

Agarwal and his team鈥檚 paper introduces MANGO: Multimodal Attention-based Normalizing
Flow Approach to Fusion Learning, a new framework designed to improve how AI systems learn from and combine multiple types of information, including images, text, and other data sources.

The research centers on multimodal AI, a type of artificial intelligence that learns from multiple
forms of information 鈥� such as text, images, or audio 鈥� simultaneously. While people naturally combine different sources of information to understand the world around them, AI systems often struggle to do so effectively because the data doesn’t always match up in obvious ways. MANGO is designed to help AI better understand and combine different types of data. Unlike many existing AI models that simply merge information together, MANGO identifies which sources are most relevant and how they relate to one another, allowing AI systems to make more accurate and reliable decisions.

鈥淭he real world is inherently multimodal, so if we want AI to better understand people and
complex environments, it needs to learn from multiple sources simultaneously rather than
treating each independently,鈥� Agarwal said.

Research like this helps AI evolve to provide more context-aware analysis, enabling systems to
make more informed and trustworthy decisions.

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into daily life and industry, MANGO could improve
applications across various fields. In healthcare, it could help physicians make more informed
decisions by analyzing medical images alongside patient records and clinical notes. In self-
driving vehicles, it could improve safety by allowing AI to better interpret data from cameras,
radar, and other sensors. The technology could also strengthen security by analyzing social
media to identify coordinated influence campaigns or emerging cognitive threats through the
combined analysis of text, images, videos, and patterns of online behavior.

鈥淯ltimately, research like this helps build AI systems that are more reliable, more explainable,
and better suited for solving complex real-world problems,鈥� Agarwal said.

The publication also reinforces the COSMOS Research Center’s role as a hub for collaborative,
interdisciplinary AI research. By partnering with researchers at UA Fayetteville and UF, the
project demonstrates how UA 糖心视频logo is contributing to advances at the highest levels of the international AI community.

鈥淭his publication further demonstrates that UA 糖心视频logo is producing AI research that is
recognized at the highest international level,鈥� Agarwal said. 鈥淚t enhances the university’s
visibility within the global AI community, strengthens our research collaborations, and creates
new opportunities for our students to work on cutting-edge problems.鈥�

Looking ahead, Agarwal and his collaborators plan to expand MANGO to work with additional
data types, larger AI foundation models, and real-time decision-making environments while
continuing to improve the transparency and reliability of AI systems. Their goal is to develop AI
systems that not only achieve high performance, but also operate reliably in complex applications where accuracy and trust are essential.

Disclaimer: This research was funded in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation, U.S.
Army Research Office (awards W911NF23S0001, W911NF2410078, and W911NF2510147), U.S. Office of Naval Research, U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research, U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Australian Department of Defense Strategic Policy Grants Program, Arkansas Research Alliance, the Jerry L. Maulden/Entergy Endowment, and the Donaghey Foundation at the University of Arkansas at 糖心视频logo. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding organizations.

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By expanding the CORE Cybersecurity Clinic through the CLN, UA 糖心视频logo is creating new opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience while meeting needs in communities across the state, bringing together students and faculty from 11 colleges and universities. The CLN extends cybersecurity services to more communities than any one institution could alone, while fostering collaboration, shared expertise, and experiential learning. Through this network, the CORE Cybersecurity Clinic is expanding to Ouachita Baptist University, the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope-Texarkana, and North Arkansas College of the University of Arkansas this fall.

“Every partner site is another place where our students get to apply what they鈥檙e learning to a real problem with real stakes,” said Dr. Sandra Leiterman, director of cybersecurity education and outreach. “That kind of experience is hard to replicate in a classroom, and it鈥檚 what makes our graduates ready to contribute on day one.”

The CORE Cybersecurity Clinic鈥檚 goal is to make cybersecurity expertise available to organizations such as small nonprofits, school districts, health clinics, rural utilities, and small businesses that provide essential services but lack their own cybersecurity staff. These organizations face increasing cyber threats and lack access to costly risk assessments or enterprise security programs.

CORE Center teams, made up of students and faculty experts, work directly with organizations to evaluate their systems, identify vulnerabilities, and deliver actionable recommendations. The clinic identifies the most likely ways hackers could attempt to gain access, then provides prioritized recommendations and safeguarding strategies to help organizations anticipate the top threats and proactively strengthen their defenses.

For Nathan Thomason, a student researcher at the CORE Center, those experiences helped launch his career.

“UA 糖心视频logo’s CORE Center provided me with a foundation of excellence to rely on throughout my studies as an undergraduate student and at the beginning of my cybersecurity career,” Thomason said.

He said working directly with Arkansas organizations and emerging cybersecurity technologies gave his education a deeper sense of purpose.

“The opportunities to engage with my local community and pursue bleeding-edge cybersecurity technologies that I was presented with as a researcher allowed my studies to have a measurable impact on my community,” he said.

The clinic鈥檚 work is also shaped by ongoing research at the CORE Center, where faculty and students are developing new approaches to cybersecurity defense. Rather than remaining in the research phase, many of these ideas are tested and refined through the clinic鈥檚 work, allowing researchers and students to evaluate new methods while providing clients with recommendations informed by the latest cybersecurity research.

One of the center鈥檚 newest research projects explores how artificial intelligence can help organizations identify the most likely paths a cyberattack could take through their systems and prioritize the security improvements that will have the greatest impact. The CORE Center is also collaborating with the Institute for AI Policy and Strategy, a national nonpartisan AI policy think tank, on initiatives that support cybersecurity policy and the protection of the nation鈥檚 critical infrastructure, helping connect the center鈥檚 applied research with broader national conversations about emerging cyber threats.

The clinic also provides students with valuable, real-world experience beyond the classroom. Working with organizations across Arkansas, they learn not only how to identify cybersecurity risks but also how to explain technical concepts in ways that help non-technical leaders make informed decisions. Those communication skills are just as critical as technical expertise in preparing students for careers in cybersecurity.

“Working at the CORE Center has been wonderful because it’s given me real-world experience in my field,” said Divija Vijay, a sophomore double majoring in computer science and cybersecurity. “On the projects I get to work on, I’m always learning new concepts and technical skills. It’s a really supportive environment that genuinely cares about our growth.”

Through the CLN, the CORE Center is helping schools, nonprofits, utilities, and businesses better understand their cybersecurity risks while giving students opportunities to gain practical experience addressing the challenges organizations face every day.

“Arkansas has cracked the code for making these partnerships work,” said Dr. Philip Huff, director of the CORE Center and assistant professor of computer science. “Communities across the state need practical help defending against cyberattacks, and our students are ready and able to meet that need. Now our job is to clear the path so these partnerships can thrive and strengthen cybersecurity across Arkansas.”

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Working in collaboration with researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Walker’s project focuses on creating and studying derivatives of prodigiosin, a naturally occurring compound that has shown promising anticancer properties.

鈥淥ur goal is to synthesize and characterize prodigiosin analogs and evaluate their biological activity against cancer cell lines,鈥� Walker said. 

Although the research is still in its early stages, Walker said the project could help lay the groundwork for future cancer therapies. By developing and testing how new analogs interact with cancer cells, the research will help determine which chemical structures are most promising for future drug development. The findings could eventually contribute to the development of more targeted cancer treatments that improve patient outcomes.

The collaboration combines expertise from both institutions to strengthen the research. While Walker’s laboratory specializes in designing and synthesizing new chemical compounds, Dr. Robert Griffin and his team at UAMS bring expertise in cancer biology to evaluate how the compounds perform against cancer cells. Together, the teams can more thoroughly evaluate how well the compounds work and how they affect cancer cells, helping researchers identify the most promising candidates for further study. 

鈥淭he INBRE funding supports student stipends, laboratory supplies, and access to analytical instrumentation,鈥� Walker said. 鈥淭hese resources allow us to carry out the synthesis and purification of analogs and identify their structure using techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).鈥�

In addition to advancing cancer research, the project is designed to prepare the next generation of scientists by providing students with meaningful research experiences and opportunities to present their work at conferences and contribute to scientific publications.

鈥淥ne of the most exciting aspects of this project is the opportunity to bridge fundamental chemistry with meaningful biomedical applications,鈥� Walker said. 鈥淭he potential to discover new compounds with real therapeutic relevance is highly motivating. Equally exciting is the role this project plays in student development, providing hands-on research experiences that prepare them for careers in science and healthcare.鈥�

Through the collaboration with UAMS, Walker and his team hope to advance the search for more effective, targeted cancer treatments while providing UA 糖心视频logo students with transformative, hands-on research experiences.

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The effort recently secured a $96,313 National Science Foundation award to support its next phase of development. The funding follows a statewide workshop that brought together more than 25 leaders from higher education, industry, government and research organizations.

The Emerging Analytics Center and the Department of Computer Science recently hosted the Statewide Quantum Computing Working Group Workshop, focused on developing a shared framework for quantum computing education in Arkansas.

Held May 28-29, the workshop included representatives from UA 糖心视频logo, the University of Central Arkansas, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Tech University, Southern Arkansas University, the Arkansas Research Alliance, Dakota State University and Oklahoma State University. Industry partners, including IBM, Qunnect and Fortinet, also participated.

鈥淭he Emerging Analytics Center and the Department of Computer Science organized the workshop to address the critical need for a statewide educational framework that prepares a skilled STEM workforce for the rapidly evolving field of quantum information science,鈥� said Tom Coffin, senior visualization and operations manager for the Emerging Analytics Center.

Quantum computing uses the principles of quantum mechanics to solve complex problems beyond the reach of many traditional computers. Unlike conventional computers that process information as either a 0 or a 1, quantum computers use quantum bits, or qubits, that can exist in multiple states simultaneously, allowing them to process large amounts of information more efficiently.

Industry experts project quantum computing could become a trillion-dollar industry within the next decade, creating significant opportunities for states that invest early. Arkansas institutions hope to prepare students for careers in the growing field by building educational pathways now.

One of the workshop’s primary goals was to establish a Statewide Quantum Computing Working Group and develop a foundational curriculum that can be adopted by educational institutions across Arkansas. The initiative aims to create a unified framework that serves learners at multiple levels while leveraging expertise from academic, industry and government partners.

For UA 糖心视频logo students, faculty and researchers, the initiative will provide access to specialized training opportunities, hands-on experience with quantum hardware and cloud-based systems, and future professional development activities. Organizers also plan to host a statewide Quantum Hackathon in 2027.

Supported by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, the workshop helped lay the foundation for the initiative’s next phase. Beginning in July 2026, the NSF-funded project will formalize and expand the Statewide Quantum Computing Working Group while advancing curriculum development, workforce training and collaboration among partners across the state.

Looking ahead, Coffin said the initiative could help establish Arkansas as a leader in quantum information science while supporting economic growth and attracting technology-focused industries.

鈥淏y establishing a sustainable educational ecosystem, the initiative hopes to drive economic growth, attract new industries, and prepare a diverse, highly skilled STEM workforce capable of meeting the demands of an evolving job market,鈥� Coffin said. 鈥淭he goal is to provide a new generation of students with the technical skills needed for high-demand careers in quantum hardware, networking and software development.鈥�

The effort continues this summer with the Introduction to Quantum Computing and Quantum Machine Learning Workshop, scheduled for June 25-26. The workshop will provide additional opportunities for students, educators and researchers interested in the field.

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The project focuses on developing socio-computational methods to strengthen community resilience against cognitive attacks. These attacks include coordinated online efforts to manipulate beliefs, influence behavior, and spread harmful narratives through social media and digital platforms. The research builds on nationally recognized work underway at UA 糖心视频logo’s Collaboratorium for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies (COSMOS) Research Center, which Agarwal founded and directs.

The COSMOS Research Center at UA 糖心视频logo conducts interdisciplinary research focused on social computing, AI-enabled socio-cognitive threat mitigation, narrative analytics, online behavioral modeling, and cognitive security.

The award was championed through support from U.S. Sen. John Boozman, who highlighted the importance of the research to national security.

鈥淚 am pleased to support UA 糖心视频logo and its Collaboratorium for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies,鈥� Boozman said. 鈥淭his award recognizes the significance of this program to our national security. The important research conducted here will enhance our ability to counter the use of novel social media tactics by foreign extremists and terrorist groups threatening the United States and our allies.鈥�

Agarwal said the funding will allow researchers to continue developing advanced tools and capabilities to better understand how online narratives influence behavior and how communities can build resilience against coordinated manipulation efforts.

鈥淲e are extremely grateful for the support from UA 糖心视频logo leadership and U.S. Sen. John Boozman for championing this vital research,鈥� Agarwal said. 鈥淭his funding allows the COSMOS Research Center to continue advancing analytical capabilities that strengthen our nation’s defense against cognitive threats.鈥�

As social media platforms increasingly shape public discourse, coordinated influence operations have emerged as a growing challenge for governments, organizations, and communities. The project seeks to provide science-driven approaches for detecting harmful narratives, understanding how they spread through online networks, and informing effective intervention strategies before they result in real-world consequences.

鈥淪ocial media has evolved into a contested cognitive battlespace where narratives can be weaponized to manipulate beliefs, sow discord, and influence collective behavior at unprecedented speed,鈥� Agarwal said. 鈥淭his project aims to strengthen community resiliency by developing computational methods that help identify harmful narrative dynamics early, understand how they spread across networks, and inform effective intervention strategies.鈥�

The project will advance research in six key areas, including narrative and network modeling, toxicity in online communities, mob dynamics, churn analysis, contextual network characterization, and large-scale data collection and dashboarding.

Researchers will develop new methods to analyze how narratives emerge and evolve across digital ecosystems, examine how online communities amplify coordinated campaigns, and adapt epidemiological modeling techniques to better understand the spread of toxicity in online environments.

In addition to advancing research, the initiative will support workforce development and training opportunities in big data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and security applications, helping prepare the next generation of AI and cybersecurity professionals in Arkansas and beyond.

The award continues a longstanding partnership between the COSMOS Research Center and the U.S. Department of War in advancing research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, social computing, and national security.

With this award, UA 糖心视频logo continues to expand its national research footprint, leveraging expertise in artificial intelligence and social computing to develop solutions that strengthen communities and enhance security in an increasingly connected world.

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By the end of the AI Hackathon and HealthTech at the University of Arkansas at 糖心视频logo, they had become teammates, budding entrepreneurs, and problem-solvers, developing innovative solutions focused on dementia care, maternal health, insurance access, mental health, and patient services.

Resonate Wins $10,000 Grand Prize

The hackathon’s top honor and $10,000 grand prize went to Resonate, a music therapy platform designed to improve access to music therapy for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

The idea was inspired by a story shared by a dementia care professional who described a patient who began humming along to a familiar song after years without speaking. The experience demonstrated how music can help unlock memories and create meaningful connections for people living with dementia.

The Resonate team developed a platform that creates personalized music playlists based on a patient’s preferences and uses AI-powered voice analysis to help caregivers identify emotional states and recommend music that may provide comfort and support. The team focused particularly on making music therapy more accessible and affordable for families in rural and underserved communities.

“The question is not whether music therapy works, but rather how to make it accessible and affordable,” the team told judges during its final presentation.

Team Resonate included Aras Erdag and Brodie Smith of 糖心视频logo; Cami Gonzalez, Satya Achanti, and Shreyan Movva of Bentonville; Joshua Davis of Conway; Koree Arndt of Bella Vista; and Tanvi Virani of Lamar.

Team members said collaboration played a major role in their success throughout the week.

“This experience was really fun,” said Satya Achanti. “We learned a lot of different things from different workshops, and we had a lot of teamwork and a lot of dedicated time that we spent. We stayed up late many nights, and we’re very happy that we won.”

Shreyan Movva credited the team’s ability to work together throughout the competition.

“Overall, team contribution and team cooperation helped us a lot, and it feels great to win,” he said.

For Koree Arndt, one of the most valuable aspects of the experience was the opportunity to collaborate with students from across the state.

“My team’s amazing. I’ve met so many amazing people, and I’ve loved the chance to work on leadership, work on developing my skills in tech, and just building things, because I love to build,” Arndt said.

InsuraMatch Earns Second Place

The second-place prize of $5,000 went to InsuraMatch, a platform designed to help users better understand and navigate health insurance options.

The team focused on addressing the confusion many consumers face when selecting healthcare coverage. Their platform uses conversational AI, educational resources, and cost-comparison tools to help users understand insurance terminology and identify plans that best fit their needs.

The InsuraMatch team included Blessing Itodo of 糖心视频logo, Dilasa Yaman of North 糖心视频logo, Eric Wang of Cave Springs, Ishmam Solaiman of 糖心视频logo, Krish Mehta of Conway, Pfeiffer Slaveski of Centerton, and Yogi Patel of 糖心视频logo.

Materna Takes Third Place

The third-place prize of $3,000 went to Materna, a wearable health monitoring platform designed to support pregnant women in rural Arkansas

Combining a wearable bracelet, mobile application, and AI-powered monitoring tools, Materna allows healthcare providers to remotely monitor patient vital signs and identify potential health risks. The team developed the project to address transportation barriers, healthcare deserts, and limited access to prenatal care in many rural communities across the state.

The Materna team included Ali Rizwan of Cabot, Alyson Chapman of Centerton, Sach Gulmammadov of Jonesboro, Isidora Adeloa and Ivonne Barbosa-Melgarejo of 糖心视频logo, and Kshitiz Khatiwada and Pronita Ghimire of Monticello.

Students Tackle Diverse Healthcare Challenges

Other teams also developed solutions addressing a wide range of healthcare and wellness concerns.

The team behind Mind Bloom created an AI-powered student wellness platform designed to help schools identify and support students experiencing stress and mental health challenges. Team members included Anay Pandit of Benton, Hannah Robertson, Jake Hu, Luke Wang, Rudra Pratap Mukherjee, and Vishak Meenachi of 糖心视频logo, Joel Johnson of Bentonville, and Tanisha Virani of Lamar.

Another notable project, Bro 2 Bro, focused on improving mental and physical health outcomes among Black men by connecting users with support groups, healthcare resources, mentors, and community organizations through trusted spaces such as barbershops and churches.

Students also developed Sirona, a solution aimed at reducing emergency room wait times and improving patient flow.

While the projects varied in focus, they shared a common goal: using technology to address real-world healthcare challenges affecting Arkansas communities.

Over the course of the week, students transformed ideas into prototypes, business plans, and presentations evaluated by healthcare and industry leaders. In the end, 30 students won a combined $20,000 in prize money, but, more importantly, demonstrated what can happen when some of Arkansas’s brightest young minds spend a week reimagining healthcare.

“What I was most excited about coming into this event was to meet the people,” Arndt said. “I’ve met so many amazing people, and I’m just so grateful to have the opportunity to be here and do what I love.”

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The exhibit, 250 Years of American Symbols, explores the history and meaning of iconic symbols throughout the nation鈥檚 history. It will be on display in the Capitol fourth-floor gallery through early September as part of the statewide America250 celebration.

At the center of the project is Dr. Kristin Dutcher Mann, a professor of history, whose research on the Arkansas Liberty Bell Replica inspired the larger exhibit. As her research continued, she connected with Jennifer Hughes, curator for the Arkansas State Capitol, who was developing exhibit ideas for the America250 celebration. That introduction opened the door to a new collaboration, the creation of the exhibit, and the exciting opportunities for students to research, design, and install an exhibit in the State Capitol.

鈥淚 invited Dr. Mann to join our discussion,鈥� Hughes said. 鈥淔rom there, the idea to have her students develop a display about American symbols was decided as a part of the multiple exhibits we will host to commemorate the semiquincentennial.鈥�

The 250 Years of American Symbols exhibit explores how symbols such as the Liberty Bell, the bald eagle, and the national anthem have been adopted to shape the nation鈥檚 identity and communicate its values over the years. The exhibit explores well-known and lesser-known symbols, encouraging visitors to explore how Americans have used them to express shared ideas, commemorate important moments, and ultimately define the nation. Throughout the exhibit, symbols are presented not only as reflections of history but also as aspirations that help Americans 鈥渇orm a more perfect union.鈥�  

鈥淪ymbols are calls to action for Americans to improve their country and their own lives,鈥� Mann said. 鈥淎 study of American symbols shows us both change and continuity in American history, as well as how the country views itself at different significant anniversaries.鈥�

The exhibit’s exploration of American identity was shaped not only by its history and artifacts but also by the five UA 糖心视频logo students who helped bring it to life.

History students Sydney Evans, Dawson Arnold, Tamara Riddle, and Amy Stabila, along with graphic design student Jadon Parks, researched artifacts, wrote exhibit text, coordinated museum and archive loans, designed display panels, and helped install the exhibit in the Capitol gallery, gaining hands-on experience beyond the classroom.

For the students, seeing their work displayed in the State Capitol as part of the nation鈥檚 250th anniversary celebration was an experience they never imagined would be possible.

鈥淚t was exciting to be part of something much bigger than a classroom project,鈥� Evans said. 鈥淲e helped shape the exhibit from start to finish, and seeing visitors engage with our work in the State Capitol was a surreal experience that I鈥檒l never forget.鈥�

What began as faculty research evolved into collaboration among students, state agencies, museums, and archives across Arkansas. The result is an exhibit that invites visitors to view the symbols that have shaped the nation鈥檚 identity, values, and aspirations over the past 250 years, while considering their continued relevance today.

Mann encourages visitors to see these symbols as more than static images. 

鈥淭hey remind us that our democracy is a work in progress and that our history binds us together,鈥� she said.

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The 糖心视频logo native graduated this spring with a Master of Science in electrical and computer engineering after years of involvement in research projects, student leadership, and outreach initiatives across campus.

McNerny said he chose UA 糖心视频logo because of its strong academic environment and mentorship opportunities.

鈥淭he graduate school at UA 糖心视频logo is world class in terms of research, mentorship, and furthering education,鈥� he said.

During his time at UA 糖心视频logo, McNerny balanced advanced research with service that extended beyond the university to the broader community. At the Cyberspace Operations, Research and Education (CORE) Center, he designed virtual reality simulations of industrial control systems for the Consortium for Cyber Innovation. The work is supported by a grant from the Department of Energy focused on protecting critical energy infrastructure from cyberattacks.

He also used his interest in technology to improve public safety on campus. Drawing on his professional experience as a traffic safety specialist, he developed a technology designed to make crosswalks safer for pedestrians and wildlife.

His research explored how signals from vehicles and mobile devices could be detected near intersections, allowing the system to warn pedestrians and drivers of one another’s presence before they come into view. McNerny says these technologies could help reduce traffic accidents involving pedestrians and wildlife regardless of visibility, weather conditions, or existing safety infrastructure.

In addition to his research, McNerny has mentored fellow students and held leadership positions as chair and secretary of the Association for Computing Machinery student chapter.

His passion for technology education also led him to teach virtual reality and cybersecurity summer camps for K-12 students. Through programs hosted by the Emerging Analytics Center and GenCyber, McNerny introduced students to emerging technologies while encouraging thoughtful discussions about their ethical use.

鈥淚 am inspired by seeing how excited students are when they try VR for the first time,鈥� McNerny said. 鈥淓mpowering them with the tools to make their own worlds and seeing their creativity blossom is a reward in itself.鈥�

One of McNerny’s favorite college memories, he said, came during a trip to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he and fellow students showcased an augmented reality game they developed called 鈥淪pook Splat.鈥�

While he has enjoyed opportunities to present projects and lead student organizations, some of his most meaningful experiences happened behind the scenes in the lab.

鈥淭hose quiet hours in the lab, not knowing if the project I had been working on for months would actually work,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hen resting on it and finding out how to fix the problem immediately the next day. Those moments are rare and meaningful.鈥�

After graduation, McNerny plans to pursue a career in engineering while continuing his research at the CORE Center. 

鈥淚f my work helps people feel safer and improves their quality of life in any way, I have made an impact,鈥� he said.

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The program, created by the Arkansas Research Alliance and AR-NETWORK, provides funding, mentorship, and professional development support to faculty researchers across Arkansas.

The ERL Program provides $30,000 annually for up to two years along with professional development opportunities such as mentorship and proposal development training. The grant is designed to strengthen Arkansas researchers’ competitiveness for external funding and help grow sustainable research programs within the state.

Siraj said the award will play an important role in advancing her research program at UA 糖心视频logo.

鈥淩eceiving the ERL award is deeply meaningful to me and to the research program I am building at UA 糖心视频logo,鈥� Siraj said. 鈥淚 believe this opportunity will significantly strengthen my leadership capacity, proposal development skills, and ability to build and manage high-performing research teams.鈥�

Siraj鈥檚 research spans areas such as nanomedicine, lithium energy storage, and flexible electronic technologies. She plans to use the funding to support student researchers, expand research collaborations, and enhance the university鈥檚 research capabilities through new equipment and resources.

Siraj said she hopes the program will help her build stronger partnerships across Arkansas while advancing workforce development and innovation.

鈥淭hrough the ERL Program, I hope to build strong partnerships with state agencies and industry stakeholders to ensure that our research contributes meaningfully to Arkansas鈥檚 economy,鈥� Siraj said. 鈥淚 believe the program will provide an important platform for developing competitive research proposals and translational research strategies through interdisciplinary collaboration across Arkansas and other states.鈥�

Looking ahead, Siraj hopes her research will contribute to the development of sustainable energy technologies and support economic growth in Arkansas and beyond.

鈥淭hrough ERL mentorship and training, I aim to further mature this technology, strengthen federal grant proposals, and secure sustained external funding that will support continued research development, workforce training, and future commercialization efforts,鈥� she said.

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鈥淚 envisioned getting the degree, and at the same time, it didn鈥檛 seem possible that I would get accepted into the program,鈥� Taylor said. 鈥淚 actually applied 鈥�knowing鈥� I would get rejected.鈥�

Instead, she began a new chapter at UA 糖心视频logo and worked toward a degree that once felt out of reach.

Taylor, a Conway native, earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Central Arkansas in 2013. After graduating, she spent years working in service-oriented jobs while repeatedly putting off graduate school.

For years, Taylor talked about applying to graduate school. Friends, coworkers, and people close to her encouraged her to take the chance and apply to social work programs. Eventually, Taylor said her friends told her to 鈥渏ust apply鈥� because the worst outcome would simply be not getting accepted.

鈥淚 think others seeing potential in me and believing in me helped me take that next step,鈥� Taylor said.

Even after submitting the application, Taylor had doubts about getting accepted. Instead, she found herself beginning a new chapter at UA 糖心视频logo.

鈥淲hen I found out I got accepted, I really was in shock,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think I was intelligent enough for graduate school.鈥�

Those feelings of imposter syndrome didn鈥檛 disappear right away. Taylor started the Master of Social Work program part time and online while balancing two full-time jobs, often with overtime at both. During graduate school, she also completed internships at Gateway Recovery Center, Arkansas Foodbank, and Rise House, a domestic violence shelter. Outside of school and work, she volunteered with Arkansas Hospice, formerly known as LifeTouch Health, and previously volunteered with Heart of Hospice while living in Fort Smith.

Taylor said it took time to gain confidence in herself while balancing the demands of work, internships, and school. One conversation with an advisor became especially meaningful during the most difficult stretches of graduate school.

鈥淭hey told me, 鈥楳inden, this is a marathon, not a sprint, and you are in it,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淭hat resonated with me because this degree took more time for me than what I seemed to notice for others around me. It was definitely a marathon and not a sprint.鈥�

At one point, Taylor took a year-long break from the program before returning in summer 2025 to complete her second internship and final year of classes. Around the same time, she made the difficult decision to leave one of her jobs so she could focus more fully on school and her well-being.

鈥淚 would tell my younger self to drop job No. 2, focus more on school, and your mental and physical health, and more than anything, believe in yourself,鈥� Taylor said.

Taylor鈥檚 professional experiences throughout the years helped shape her understanding of social work and confirmed that she had chosen the right path.

After earning her undergraduate degree, she worked in ABA therapy before taking positions within several Arkansas Department of Human Services divisions, including Developmental Disabilities Services, the Division of Youth Services, and the Division of Children and Family Services. Her work included supporting adults with developmental disabilities, working with juvenile youth, serving as an investigator, and helping families in protective services.

She currently works with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a role she says continues to inspire her every day.

鈥淭he thing I love most about this job is that many folks think we are helping these individuals, but really, they are inspiring us to do better in our own lives,鈥� Taylor said. 鈥淲hen you get to witness people start to thrive in life because they finally get a good team of workers around them, well, that feels amazing.鈥�

鈥淚 knew that I wanted to help people,鈥� Taylor said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know exactly what that looked like, but I knew that I had a heart that wanted to serve and help others.鈥�

Throughout the program, Taylor said one of the most meaningful parts of her experience at UA 糖心视频logo was the support she found within the School of Social Work community.

鈥淲e really can do anything that we want if we continue on, seek support, and have people who believe in us who, in return, help students believe in ourselves even more,鈥� she said.

Taylor鈥檚 longtime friend, Muriel Schrepfer, senior graphic designer and marquee manager in the Office of Communications and Marketing, said Taylor鈥檚 persistence and compassion have always stood out.

鈥淢inden is the kind of person who keeps showing up, even when life makes it hard,鈥� Schrepfer said. 鈥淚鈥檝e known her since eighth grade, and she has always been caring, goofy, kind, and full of life in the best way. She鈥檚 worked multiple jobs to get through school while fighting battles most people never see, and she still manages to show up for everyone around her with so much heart.

Watching her earn her master鈥檚 in social work makes me endlessly proud of the resilience, compassion, and strength she carries every single day. I truly can鈥檛 wait to see where life takes her from here.鈥�

Taylor鈥檚 graduate school journey also included personal moments outside the classroom. During her final year of school, her dog Yuki, whom she had adopted, passed away. She is now fostering another dog, Nalani, whom she plans to adopt after graduation.

As she prepares for commencement, Taylor鈥檚 next steps include passing the Association of Social Work Boards master鈥檚-level examination and continuing toward becoming a licensed certified social worker.

She also hopes to focus on personal goals she placed on hold while balancing graduate school, including improving her physical health, returning to boxing, relearning sign language, becoming fluent in Spanish, and strengthening her writing skills. She also plans to spend time this summer with her two young nephews, Parker Reid and Wyatt James.

Looking back on the journey that brought her to graduation day, Taylor hopes others who doubt themselves will continue pursuing their goals anyway.

鈥淚t really is amazing once you go from doubting your potential to seeing that you do have qualities to bring to any table and into any room,鈥� she said.

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