Dr. Fabricio Medina-Bolivar, professor of plant metabolic engineering and an Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA) Academy member, will make the next presentation in Project Scope, a monthly session sponsored by ARA, Oct. 26. He and his team are studying the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties of bioactive compounds of plants, and extracts enriched with these compounds, as potential adjuvants in triple-negative breast cancer. Online registration is available.

Dr. Ibrahim Duyar, professor of educational leadership, presented two papers at the annual conference of the American Psychological Association. He was the lead presenter of one, on teacher job engagement, and co-presenter of a second, about the effects of school type and leadership on psychological contract fulfillment. He also co-published a study, in Current Research in Environmental Sustainability, on the impact of citizens’ educational level on promoting a sustainable environment.

Dr. Sanjeev Acharya, assistant professor of sociology, is co-author of a study about gender discrimination published in eClinicalMedicine. Acharya and associates analyzed data from a cohort in the Czech Republic and found that perceived gender discrimination among child-bearing women in family contexts was associated with more mental health problems among their children and adolescents. These findings extend prior research showing associations with maternal mental health problems.

Dr. Hrishikesh Desai, assistant professor of accounting, was invited to address two annual conferences conducted by the Arkansas Society of CPAs. The Hot Springs conference focused on accounting and auditing, while the Little Rock event was on industry commerce and banking. Desai made presentations on blockchain, covering both the technological aspects and its potential impact on financial officers, controllers, managers and accountants.

Dr. Bill Stroud, emeritus professor of geography, was interviewed by the Los Angeles Times for an article about Hurricane Ian’s impact in Florida. Stroud discussed the challenges facing Cape Coral as it recovers from the hurricane. During his career, he extensively researched land development issues in Florida, especially pre-platted communities built in the 1950s and 1960s without adequate regard for climate change considerations.