Federal Staffers Visit College of Engineering

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Civil engineering department head Kevin Hall presents civil engineering research at the Engineering Research Center to Kathryn Gough, field representative for Sen. John Boozman; Alysha Moncus, legislative correspondent for Rep. Tom Cotton; Kristin Sharp, legislator director for Sen. Mark Pryor; Jason D. McGehee, deputy chief of staff and district director for Rep. Tim Griffin; and Kyle Weaver, projects director for Rep. Steve Womack

On Wednesday, Aug. 27, legislative staff members from the offices of Sens. John Boozman and Mark Pryor and the offices of Representatives Tom Cotton, Rick Crawford and Steve Womack toured campus to learn more about engineering research at the U of A. The guests interacted with faculty researchers, visited engineering research laboratories and heard from Randy Massanelli, vice chancellor for governmental relations, Provost Sharon Gaber and John English, dean of the College of Engineering.

In her remarks, Gaber said that the university is seeking to be recognized as a top 50 public research institution by strengthening its research and educational programs. She explained that a robust research program will attract students and benefit the state of Arkansas. “We need a good educated labor force in the state,” she said. “We need the spin-off companies that come from these new technologies and new innovations. That’s how we are working to help improve the state of Arkansas.”

The staffers toured engineering laboratories in the Nanoscale Material Science and Engineering Building and the Engineering Research Center. They learned about cutting-edge research in the college’s five research strength areas: electronics, energy, healthcare, nanoscience and transportation and logistics.  The day-long event showcased innovative research in each of these areas including a universal power router, butanol fuel generation, cancer immunology, muscle generation, nano-scale solar panel surface design, economic impacts of the AR River, and tornado and earthquake recovery.     

“We’re very pleased that our legislative staffers devoted their time to engage with our engineering faculty and learn more about our research programs,” said Heather Nachtmann, associate dean for research at the College of Engineering. “Our faculty did an excellent job explaining their ongoing research, and I believe the federal staffers learned a lot about the impacts our college’s research is having on Arkansas and around the world.”