New Faculty Advance State Research in Food Security, Water Quality and Community Resilience

The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at the U of A is expanding its impact on the state's most urgent environmental and agricultural challenges through the addition of three new faculty members.

Professor Eric McLamore, associate professor Diana Vanegas and assistant professor Kendrick Hardaway bring synergistic expertise in systems thinking, biosensing and community-engaged research to address food security, water quality and infrastructure resilience across Arkansas.

"We're onboarding three exceptionally talented faculty members this semester, a dream team for our department," said Terry Howell Jr., department head. "They help fill key instructional roles, but even more importantly, each brings research strengths that will impact Arkansas. Our students and state residents will directly benefit."

Their research includes tools for rapid food and water safety testing, strategies for resilient infrastructure and technologies that promote community health. Working closely with farmers, local experts and rural communities, they connect lab innovation with real-world applications to improve quality of life and strengthen the state's environmental and economic resilience.

Eric McLamore: Biosensing for Food and Water Safety

McLamore joins the department as professor of biosensor engineering. His lab develops rapid-diagnostic biosensors used in food safety, water quality and tissue physiology research. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering from Texas Tech University and a doctorate from Purdue University.

For more than a decade, his team has led efforts in pathogen detection, phosphorus monitoring and non-invasive tissue diagnostics by developing field-deployable tools grounded in biological and materials science.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," McLamore said. "The collaborative environment in Biological and Agricultural Engineering and Poultry Science is ideal for interdisciplinary research, and I'm especially eager to mentor early-career scholars focused on real-world challenges."

Diana Vanegas: Community-Based Sensor Innovation

Vanegas joins as associate professor of bioprocess engineering. Her work integrates sensor development with public health and community engagement. She earned a bachelor's degree in food engineering from Universidad del Valle (Colombia) and master's and doctoral degrees in agricultural and biological engineering from the University of Florida.

Vanegas leads dual research efforts: building affordable sensors to detect harmful food and water contaminants and collaborating with rural communities to reduce environmental health risks.

"Aligning my engineering work with the university's land-grant mission is deeply motivating," she said. "My goal is to co-develop tools that are not only technologically advanced but also grounded in the needs and knowledge of Arkansas communities."

"I look forward to collaborating with colleagues, extension specialists and stakeholders to address the state's challenges in water quality monitoring and sustainable agriculture."

Kendrick Hardaway: Systems Thinking for Resilience

Hardaway returns to the university as an assistant professor, applying systems thinking and risk science to improve the sustainability of food, energy, water and infrastructure systems. His research employs environmental modeling to evaluate whether emerging technologies reduce waste, enhance public health and support circular economies.

A graduate of the department, Hardaway also holds a master's degree in industrial engineering and a doctorate in environmental and ecological engineering from Purdue University, along with international research experience in Greece, Norway and New Zealand.

"My work aims to help decision-makers understand tradeoffs and design solutions within real-world environmental and economic constraints," he said. "I'm excited to collaborate with Arkansas communities to develop evidence-based, practical tools."

About the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering: The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at the University of Arkansas develops engineering solutions for critical challenges in food production, water resources, environmental sustainability, and agricultural systems. Through interdisciplinary research and education, the department prepares students to address global issues such as food security, natural resource management, and environmental stewardship. For more information, visit engineering.uark.edu/bio-ag-engineering.

About the College of Engineering: The University of Arkansas College of Engineering is the state's largest engineering school, offering graduate and undergraduate degrees, online studies and interdisciplinary programs. It enrolls more than 4,700 students and employs more than 150 faculty and researchers along with nearly 200 staff members. Its research enterprise generated $47 million in new research awards in Fiscal Year 2025. The college's strategic plan, Vision 2035, seeks to build the premier STEM workforce in accordance with three key objectives: Initiating lifelong student success, generating transformational and relevant knowledge, and becoming the destination of choice among educators, students, staff, industry, alumni and the community. As part of this, the college is increasing graduates and research productivity to expand its footprint as an entrepreneurial engineering platform serving Arkansas and the world. The college embraces its pivotal role in driving economic growth, fueling innovation and educating the next generation of engineers, computer scientists and data scientists to address current and future societal challenges.