Brazilian Students Get Hands-On Research Experience in New Program

Photo by Matt Reynolds, University Relations

Alessandra Takara Ferreira is one of more than 70 visiting Brazilian students spending the summer at the University of Arkansas as part of a new research program.

More than 70 Brazilian students have called the University of Arkansas home this summer. The students are on campus as part of a Research Experience for Undergraduates program hosted by the College of Engineering in partnership with the Graduate School and International Education.

The program enables undergraduates in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields to get hands-on research experience while working with faculty members in their discipline.

This is the first year for the summer research program, which was created specifically for visiting students sponsored by the Brazil Scientific Mobility Program. The Brazilian initiative requires students to complete two semesters of academic coursework and an internship or academic experience during their one-year stay at a U.S. university. More than 600 Brazilian students applied to take part in the U of A program's inaugural year.

Luke Howard, professor of food science, serves as a mentor in the research program. He said the experience has been rewarding.

 "It's great to see undergraduates excited about research and doing work that's closer to what they'll be doing after graduation," he said.

Alessandra Takara Ferreira, one of the students participating in the program, has spent the past two months researching with Howard and Bob Beitle, professor of chemical engineering. The trio is working to develop a large scale process for the recovery of a bioactive material from waste products in the rice industry that can protect against radiation injury.  Significant progress has been made over the past two months due to Ferreira's work, suggesting the transition from small to large scale separation is feasible and economical.

The São Paulo native said her experience in the lab has been invaluable.

"The program has been great," she said. "I have learned so much and now have a better understanding of what graduate-level research is like."

Ferreira plans to attend graduate school at the U of A after completing her bachelor's degree at the Universidade Federal de São Paulo in December.

Bryan Hill, founder of the program and assistant dean for student recruitment and diversity, honors and international programs in the College of Engineering, said he is pleased with the program's results.

"The program has been a resounding success," he said. "We plan to continue to host and grow the program in the years to come."