Best wishes to Dr. David A. Saarnio, professor of psychology, who is retiring this month. Among the highlights of his 30-year career at A-State, Saarnio directed the Office of Behavioral Research and Evaluation (OBRE). His consulting work with education agencies and mental health centers after the Westside tragedy led to OBRE’s founding. In 2011 he co-founded what is now the Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) Resource Center. OBRE and PBIS will continue the work he started.

Kim Vickrey, professor of graphic design, gave a presentation to an international group of artists, designers, photographers and global business owners in La Flèche, France. She spoke on artificial intelligence and how artists can use it, emphasizing the importance of using AI ethically and responsibly. Vickrey noted AI does not interpret or express originality, since it lacks the emotional depth and authenticity that characterize human creativity.

Three research articles co-authored by Dr. Niamat Hossain, assistant professor of engineering management, have been published. He was lead author of research on  a resiliency-sustainability-cybersecurity index for healthcare supply chain networks in Decision Analytics Journal. He co-authored assessing seismic resilience of critical housing infrastructure in Journal of Cleaner Production and a case study of modeling and assessing seismic resilience leveraging systems in International Journal of Critical Infrastructure Protection.

Dr. Amy R. Pearce, professor of psychology, is concluding her 22-year A-State career to accept a new challenge. Pearce will be a teaching professor in neuroscience at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, and will work with its STEM education institute. Among her career highlights, the A-State alumna conducted research through Arkansas Biosciences Institute, launched the Society for Neuroscience, helped found and direct the Arkansas Science Festival, and mentored countless students.

Dr. Lori Neuman-Lee, associate professor of physiology, and a group of her students made a presentation on “Herpetology in Arkansas” for students in grades 3-6 at The New School in Fayetteville. She was accompanied by five A-State undergraduates and four graduate students, who showed a selection of reptiles and amphibians to the children. A middle-level student at the school who has been in contact with Neuman-Lee for career guidance arranged the invitation.