THE KAYS FOUNDATION AWARDS FIVE NEW GRANTS TO A-STATE FACULTY AT (ASU) ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY.
July 2023 — Jonesboro, AR
The Kays Foundation awarded $68,166.00 for the spring grant cycle. Five grants were awarded to seven Arkansas State University faculty members.
The first grant awarded by the Board of the Kays Foundation was to Dr. Mohammad Abrar Alam, associate professor of Chemistry, The proposal titled “Synthesis antibacterial characterization of novel aminothiazole derivatives,” in the amount of $12,400. The project will help support development of novel antibiotics as part of Alam’s ongoing studies. The work involves both undergraduate and graduate STEM students, from underrepresented groups, working on relevant and cutting-edge supporting research.
The second grant awarded was to Dr. Katharine Camden, assistant professor, and Kacie Altom, associate professor, nursing, have received approval of their proposal in the amount of $5,000. The funds will be used to purchase adult and pediatric manikins, automated external defibrillators, bag valve masks and first-aid supplies for use in Basic Life Support (BLS) training. Students and faculty have to complete BLS certification and get it renewed every two years.
The third grant awarded to Dr. Kathryn Flannigan, associate professor, nursing, and Addie Fleming, assistant professor, for their proposal, “Enhancing Student Learning through Realism with iSimulate.” in the amount of $10,085.00. The purpose of this project is to provide undergraduate nursing students an interactive and realistic experience in both the didactic and clinical simulation settings. The iSimulate REALTiPlus simulator provides interactive experiences that are directly related to cardiac and obstetrical monitoring.
The fourth grant awarded to Dr. Shivan Haran, associate professor of mechanical engineering, in the amount of $7,750.00 for his proposal titled “Robotics Competitions at A-State – STEM Outreach” Funds will be used to organize and conduct robotics competitions. This will be part of the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s ongoing outreach and interaction with STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) students from area middle and high schools. Students participate in hands-on learning through the competitions.
The fifth and final grant awarded was to Dr. Cassandra Massey, assistant professor and interim assistant program director, nurse anesthesia, in the amount of $32,931 for her proposal “Enhancing the Simulation Experience in the Nurse Anesthesia Program” It will allow her to purchasing equipment and supplies that will significantly enhance the simulation experience for nurse anesthesia students. The goal is preparing nurse anesthesia students to enter their clinical training after getting experience with the most current equipment available
The Kays Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation supporting ASU 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.