Medina-Bolivar and Schmid Collaborate on Anti-Aging Research
JONESBORO -- Dr. Fabricio Medina-Bolivar and Dr. Edward Schmid of the Department of Biological Sciences and the Arkansas Biosciences Institute at Arkansas State University are collaborating on a groundbreaking project supported by a $75,000 grant from the Arkansas Research Alliance.
Their research, “Development of Phenolic-Rich Nutraceuticals for Healthy Aging,” combines Medina-Bolivar’s expertise in producing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory plant extracts with Schmid’s use of fruit flies to model the aging process.
Together, they are investigating how phenolic-rich botanical extracts can promote healthy aging and prevent age-related diseases.
“This innovative partnership paves the way for future funding and the development of next-generation nutraceuticals to improve health span and quality of life,” Medina-Bolivar noted.
Medina-Bolivar is professor of plant metabolic engineering, and Schmid is assistant professor of biological sciences.
The Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA) of Little Rock awarded grants to 25 projects across the state, totaling $1.86 million. The grants represent the third round of ARA’s Impact Grant program, but this is the first time the awards have been made available to researchers outside of the ARA Academy of Scholars and Fellows.
