The following faculty recently received grants to aid in various research projects and programs:Craig Oppel, a graduate student in the Department of Biology, and Dr. David Dussourd have been awarded a $1,000 grant in aid of research from Sigma Xi.
The grant will partially fun efforts to adapt a microwave extraction technique for mapping the spatial distribution of alkaloids in leaves and quantifying alkaloid levels.
Oppel and Dussourd are particularly interested in the feeding behaviors of the specialist moth Enigmogramma basigera, one of the few insects capable of feeding on the beautiful, but relatively toxic Cardinal Flower. Caterpillars of this moth cut trenches in leaves before feeding beyond the trench. The microwave technique will be used to measure the impact of trenching on alkaloid concentrations within a leaf.
This study will serve to expand UCA?s established reputation as a center for innovative study of chemical ecology.
Ruth Rowell and Rene Crow, Child Study Center, recently received a $1,300 grant to provide curriculum enrichment in areas of pre-math and pre-literacy skills for children enrolled at the Child Study Center.
The grant is being funded by the Department of Health and Human Services through the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Arkansas Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education.
K. Nolan Carter, Department of Chemistry, recently received a $35,000 grant to research how protein damage occurs.
Damage to biomolecules is a process associated with aging and disease. Damage to proteins often involves the formation of short-lived intermediates called radicals. ?In order to gain a better understanding of how biomolecules are damaged, it is necessary to have a thorough understanding of the complex reaction pathways of these radical intermediates,? Carter said. ?The goal of the project is to develop a means of selectively generating and studying biologically relevant protein radicals.?
The project is being funded by the American Chemical Soceity, Petroleum Research Fund.
Donna Fisher Smiley, Department of Speech-Language Pathology, recently received a $8,550 grant to provide educational audiology services to Conway Public Schools.
The collaboration will provide the school district with audiological evaluations as needed for students in the district; technical assistance related to group amplification systems; technical assistance related to amplification and other issues related to students who are deaf/hard of hearing; attendance at student conferences for referran and programming; and inservice training for school district personnel.
This grant is being funded by Conway Public Schools.
Brent Hill, Department of Biology, recently received a $96,075 grant to study how the metabolites of estrogen protect against age-induced changes of the coronary arteries, and thereby protect females from the development of coronary artery disease.
The grant is being funded by the National Institutes of Health through the National Center for Research Resources, Biomedical Research Infrastructure Networks and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Kyle Felling, Department of Chemistry, recently received a $15,790 grant to study optical systems that can be produced to enhance the effectiveness of the U.S. military.
The grant is being funded by the Department of Defense through the U.S. Army-Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
Carolyn Williams, College of Education, recently received a $5,000 grant to make UCA a candidate support site for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). This will help increase the number of National Board Certified Teachers in area schools.
The grant is being funded by the Arkansas Department of Education.
