The Kays Foundation Awarded $103,501.57 in the fall 2021 Grant cycle. The board awarded Grants to Six Arkansas State University Faculty Members. Announcements for the fall 2021 grants were made during the spring 2022 semester.
The first grant was awarded to Jody Nutt, assistant professor of medical imaging and radiation sciences. She was awarded $16,631.00 to acquiring a 3-D Scanner for Medical Imaging. The images will be used in medical 3-D printing applications, such as construction of organ and anatomical models to enhance students’ educational experience.
The second grant proposal was awarded to Dr. Asela Wijeratne, assistant professor of bioinformatics. He received funding in the amount of $16,168.00, for the proposal titled “Unraveling functional changes in soil microbiome affecting the development of Sudden Death Syndrome in soybean. Dr. Wijeratne is seeking to find a more durable and environmentally friendly solution for sudden death syndrome (SDS), which is a highly destructive soybean disease caused by the fungal pathogen, Fusarium virguliforme.
The third grant proposal was awarded to Dr. Sarah Davidson, assistant professor and associate dean, of Nursing in the College of Nursing and Health Professions in the amount of $16,549.52 for “Enhancing ECG Interpretation in Multidisciplinary Programs” funds to purchase a Gaumard HAL S1020 simulation manikin and monitor. The new equipment will provide for hands-on learning in simulation labs and the classroom, as well as feedback.
The fourth grant awarded was to Haley Voges with the Bradbury Art Museum (BAM) to assist in a challenge grant to purchase a BAM Van. The Foundation granted $10,000.00 to assist in meeting and obtaining the matching funds for a project in which BAM will develop a mobile extension of the museum.
The fifth grant was awarded to Kelli Listenbee, director of learning support services. She received a grant in the amount of $22,500.00 to aide in the completion of the “Academic Hub” a center comprised of library and faculty resources, along with three student-tutoring centers, located on the third floor in the Dean B. Ellis Library.
The sixth and final grant awardee is Dr. Amanda Mohler, OTD, OTR/L assistant professor of occupational therapy. She received a grant in the amount of $21,653.05 for the proposal “Fostering Student Learning Through a Clinical Skills Laboratory”. Funds will be used to purchase assistive technology to be used in a clinical skills laboratory. The assistive technology is the first step in developing the lab for promoting interprofessional education and student learning.
The Kays Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation supporting Arkansas State University by providing grants to support faculty, staff, departments, colleges, or other entities in order to further the teaching, research, and service goals of Arkansas State University.(Edit)