Dr. Xinping Li, visiting assistant professor of mathematics, presented a paper titled “An anistropic mesh adaptation method for the finite element solution of heterogeneous anistropic diffusion problems” at the Fall 2011 Finite Element CIrcus at the University of Connecticut, Avery Point Campus on Oct. 15.
Drs. Stephen Addison, Rahul Mehta and Azida Walker of the Department of Physics and Astronomy attended the Arkansas INBRE research conference in Fayetteville, Ark. on Oct. 21-22. Four physics undergraduates, Niravkumar Patel, Kristopher Watson, John Lahman and Nick Martinez also attended with the faculty and presented three posters at the conference. The poster by senior physics majors Niravkumar Patel and Kristopher Watson and Dr. Rahul Mehta as mentor, “Stress vs. Strain and Elemental Analysis of Bones obtained from Rats subjected to Simulated Microgravity” was selected the first place winner in the physics undergraduate poster category.
Dr. Umadevi Garimella, director of the UCA STEM Institute, presented a workshop titled “Am I a Living Nut?” at the 2011 National Association of the Biology Teachers Conference held in Anaheim, Calif. on Oct. 15, 2011. Through hands-on activities, Garimella presented strategies for teaching two universal life science standards-characteristcs of living things and classification. Garimella also presented another paper, titled UCA Science Lead Teacher Institute – The Impact of the Arkansas Mathematics and Science Partnership Program at the 2011 Annual Conference of the Mid-South Educational Research Association held on the campus of the University of Mississippi, Oxford, Miss. on Nov. 5. The paper was co-authored with Dr. Gail Hughes of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and Dr. Carolyn Williams of UCA.
Dr. R.B. Lenin, assistant professor of mathematics, presented a paper, “Modeling and simulation of patient flows in the Department of OB/GYN at UAMS” at the 2011 Predictive Analytics with Simulation Conference held in Orlando, Florida, from Oct. 30 – Nov. 3. This project work is part of an effort at UAMS to improve efficiency and patient flow in the outpatient clinics. The paper was co-authored with Dr. Hari Easwaran of UAMS.
Dr. Yadong Wu, a visiting scholar fully sponsored by the Chinese Scholarship Council, joined the department of Computer Science in September. He is conducting advanced study in the area of multimedia computing with Dr. Yu Sun of the UCA Computer Science Department. Dr. Wu is an associate professor and the associate dean of the College of Computer Science and Technology at Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China.
Dr. Weijiu Liu, associate professor of mathematics at UCA, has authored a textbook titled “Introduction to Modeling Biological Cellular Control Systems,” published by Springer, which is due for release in January 2012 in its series: Modeling, Simulation and Applications. The book offers a mathematical model of numerous cellular control systems such as the glucose and intracellular calcium control systems in living organisms.
Karen Steelman, associate professor of chemistry, attended a Rock Art Methods mini-conference in late November near Comstock, Texas on the Shumla School campus, a nonprofit archaeological research and education center. Steelman uses radiocarbon dating techniques to determine the age of pigments in rock paintings. The meeting was co-sponsored by the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and the French Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS). Organized by Dr. Meg Conkey (University of California at Berkeley), this meeting is an opportunity for American and French researchers to interact and learn from each country were invited.
Belinda Robertson, UCA STEM Institute mathematics specialist, is now a certified Online Professional Development (OPD) Specialist. Robertson successfully completed the EdTEch Leaders Online Program’s Facilitating and Implementing Online Professional Development course. She is certified to develop and facilitate on-line workshops for the UCA STEM Institute and the Arkansas Department of Education.
Mathematics Faculty Members Conduct Algebra I Workshop on the State Common Core Standard
UCA mathematics faculty members, Dr. Linda Griffith and Dr. Jean McGehee conducted professional development workshops for 18 Algebra I teachers from central Arkansas on Nov. 10 and 11 on the UCA campus. The workshops are part of a series being conducted this year by Griffith and McGehee to help implement the Common Core State Standards.
Scholarship Award to Computer Science Student
Rachel Kirby, a computer science major at the University of Central Arkansas wasa warded the $500 Arkansas Academy of Computing Scholarship. Kirby is currently a sophomore. The Arkansas Academy of Computing has contributed its $500 Scholarship to UCA Computer Science Department annually since last year.
Grant Received to Support Women in Computer Science
The National Center for Women and Information Technology has selected the University of Central Arkansas Computer Science Department to receive a Return Path Student Seed Fund grant to create a Women’s Computer Science Club program. Return Path donates funds to seed programs and initiatives for student organizations that promote increased women in computing and IT programs. Remma Taneja, a Computer Science major, submitted a proposal for the NCWIT Academic Alliance Seed Fund Award and has been selected as a recipient. Dr. Yu Sun and Ms. Karen Thessing, members of the UCA Computer Science department, are faculty mentors for this endeavor.
Professional Development Workshop for Elementary Math Teachers on Common Core Standards
Thirty mathematics teachers of grades 3-5 from Conway, South Conway, Little Rock and North Little Rock school districts are receiving 100 hours of professional development training to implement Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in mathematics. The UCA STEM Institute in collaboration with the Mathematics Department at UCA hosted the first meeting on Saturday, Nov. 12 in the MCS Building. The participant teachers were introduced to the eight mathematical practices and identified strategies they must incorporate in their classrooms.