Dr. Jianfeng (Jay) Xu, research professor in agriculture and the Arkansas Biosciences Institute, in collaboration with Dr. Jennifer Xie, associate professor of basic sciences, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, received a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R15 grant of $395,242, the first jointly awarded to the two institutions. They aim to develop a new class of low-cost and effective plant cell-produced oral biologic drugs to treat inflammatory bowel disease.

Dr. Gauri-Shankar Guha, professor of economics, wrote a successful proposal for a Department of Education Title VI Business and International Education (BIE) grant for 2021-23. The grant program is designed to assist universities with strengthening their international business education and study abroad efforts. Anticipating imminent changes in international business, Guha sought the $332,273 grant (including A-State match) to help prepare student, faculty and business constituents to succeed in the post-pandemic environment.

An article by Dr. Katherine Baker, assistant professor of art history, describing her work on the archival trail for gaming in the 16th century, has been published in Documents d'histoire parisienne. The title translates to "A Gentil game: The Making of Checkboards in Paris during the 16th Century." Baker analyzes two contracts of collaboration between French capital artisans, and includes a reconstruction of the gameboards using the text. More details are online.

Dr. Kelly Damphousse, chancellor, has been appointed to the NCAA Board of Governors. Now a member of the Division I Board of Directors, he will represent that group to the overall Board of Governors, which acts on behalf of the entire organization. The Board of Governors gives budget oversight and provides strategic planning for the association, and also recruits, appoints and evaluates the NCAA president. Details are online.

Dr. Neale Bartee, emeritus professor of music, was conductor for a concert by the Delta Symphony Orchestra, which delighted its audience Sunday at Fowler Center. Bartee has led the community organization since its founding 47 years ago. Faculty members who perform with the orchestra include Dr. Chi Young Song, concertmaster, Dr. Erin Cameron, Dr. Dale Clark, Dr. Heather Coleman, Craig Collison, Dr. Kristin Leitterman and Dr. Suren Petrosyan, music, along with Dr. Tanja McKay, biological sciences.