My current professional role is the statewide program director (PD) of Arkansas National Science Foundation Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (NSF EPSCoR), and principal investigator (PI) for the current Track-1 project, Data Analytics that are Robust and Trusted (DART, OIA-1946391). The program is housed at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission within the Arkansas Department of Commerce.   

 

I'm from Arkansas and have lived in the state for most of my life. After graduating from the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, & the Arts (ASMSA), I received a bachelor's of science degree in Biology from the University of Arkansas.

 

Prior to my promotion to PI/PD, I served for 7 years as the Director of Education, Outreach, & Diversity for Arkansas NSF EPSCoR, where I implemented a variety of programs and activities to broaden participation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). I'm passionate about science, research, and creating opportunities for learners. I'm also committed to providing inclusive and accessible STEM programs and activities for learners everywhere.

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I'm currently pursuing a PhD in Molecular Biosciences at Arkansas State University with an emphasis in machine learning. My research involves evaluating machine learning approaches to identify possible genetic markers for cancer. I passed candidacy exams in Fall of 2022 and I hope to graduate in 2023.

 

I'm also the Director of Partner Engagement for National AI Campus, and on the board for Girl Scouts Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, where I serve as the inaugural chair of the council's the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee.

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My scientific interests range from artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and information theory to quantum mechanics, cosmology, computational chemistry and biology, and more. I'm also super interested in linguistics and language, place-based culture, and plants. 

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I love to cook, eat good food, and drink good wine. I really enjoy spending time outdoors, especially hiking, biking, paddling, and floating. I try to work hard so I can play hard, and spend all my extra money on books and traveling.