Dr. Argelia Lorence, professor of metabolic engineering and Vaughn Endowed Professor, worked with a coalition of entities in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi to secure a $1 million planning grant from the National Science Foundation. The grant will support development of an application for a $150 million NSF grant that will promote equitable health and economic outcomes across the three states. She also will help identify A-State faculty whose work aligns with the grant’s goals.

Dr. Angelo Brown, assistant professor of criminology, is author of two recently published book chapters. In “The Criminal Side of Cryptocurrency,” Brown details common crypto-related crimes and scams and evaluates the effectiveness of enforcement. In the other chapter, “School Resource Officers' Impact on Violence and Crime,” he reviews the history of school resource officer programs, the criticism, and policy recommendations over the past 70 years.

Dr. Holly Hall, professor of strategic communication, will serve a three-year term as a member of the Board of Ethics and Professional Standards (BEPS) for the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). BEPS is responsible for helping guide PRSA members in navigating the ethical issues that arise in the industry. She has been assigned to the artificial intelligence (AI) guidance task group. Hall earned her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from PRSA in 2007.

Dr. Brett Savary, research professor of biopolymer chemistry, is one of six retiring faculty members who were recognized for their service to A-State during the annual Faculty Honors Convocation. One of the first researchers appointed by the Arkansas Biosciences Institute, Savary also served on the agriculture faculty for 17 years. Among his many projects, Savary led research toward developing enzyme technologies for generating valuable co-products from energy beets.

An exhibition of sculpture by John Salvest, emeritus professor of art, is currently underway at the David Lusk Gallery in Memphis. For this exhibition, titled “Iterations,” he notes in his artist’s statement he has chosen to revisit and refine some of the materials, methods and concepts he has been drawn to throughout his creative life. Salvest taught at A-State from 1989 until his retirement in 2021.