In New 'Short Talks,' Chemical Engineering Professor Shannon Servoss Discusses Her Research

University of Arkansas / University Relations

Shannon Servoss

The April episode of Short Talks From the Hill, a research podcast of the U of A, features Shannon Servoss, associate professor of chemical engineering in the College of Engineering and co-director of the Office of Undergraduate Research.

Servoss' research has focused on the development of peptoid-based, biomimetic materials for biomedical and environmental use. Innovations in these areas can be applied in public health and water availability.

However, with the approach and onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Servoss pivoted to a critical new project. For the past year, she has worked with Now Diagnostics in Springdale to develop a rapid test kit to detect coronavirus antibodies.

"We started looking at the technology I was developing for influenza to consider whether it could be transferred to this new virus that we didn't even have a name for at the time, and that didn't really seem possible," Servoss says in the podcast. "Now Diagnostics already had several tests available for detecting different diseases and components in blood. … We just needed to find the right proteins to put on the membrane within the test to be able to transfer the knowledge to COVID-19 instead of the existing tests they had."

The researchers submitted an emergency use authorization to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the rapid test kit is currently under consideration.

To listen to Servoss discuss this project and her approach to research, go to Arkansas Research, the home of research news at the U of A, or visit the "On Air" and "Programs" link at KUAF.com.

Short Talks From the Hill highlights research and scholarly work at the University of Arkansas. Each segment features a university researcher discussing his or her work. Previous podcasts can be found under the 'Short Talks From the Hill' link at arkansasresearch.uark.edu, the home of science and research news at the University of Arkansas.