University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Braden Carr, a junior at UA Little Rock, had a summer filled with professional development and international learning opportunities that are helping prepare him for a career in public service.

Gabriella O'Neil, a Master of Business Administration student at UA Little Rock, spent her summer putting her classroom knowledge into practice during an internship with Baptist Health in Little Rock.

University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduate Brittany Rose has written a successful $16,270 grant on behalf of World Services for the Blind (WSB) to fund a life-changing program for blind and visually impaired students.

UA Little Rock student Josh Wynne-Hudson spent part of his summer studying thousands of miles from home and came back with lessons that will shape his future career.

Dogs may be humanity's oldest companions, but their evolution from wild wolves is still full of mysteries. New research from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is helping solve one of them by showing how domestication may have altered far more than behavior. Jacob Hansen, a graduate student in biology, and Dr. Raffaela Lesch, assistant professor of biology, have published a groundbreaking study demonstrating that domestication reshaped the canine larynx, the organ responsible for sound production. It's the first anatomical test of a major scientific concept called the neural crest domestication syndrome (NCDS) hypothesis. "This is the first study to test whether selection for tameness affects the voice box," Hansen said. "We found measurable differences between the larynges of dogs and wolves, which supports the idea that domestication doesn't just change behavior but also changes anatomy." The team's research, which was published in the Royal Society Open Science journal in July, offers rare anatomical insight into how domestication impacts the development of the voice box via neural crest cells, which are embryonic cells that influence everything from skull shape to vocal folds. While the NCDS hypothesis has previously been used to explain behavioral and physical changes in domesticated animals, no one had applied it to the larynx before. To conduct the study, Hansen and Lesch used CT scans to analyze and compare the larynges of domestic dogs and wolves. They identified 108 specific anatomical landmarks and worked with international collaborators to gather laryngeal specimens from across Europe. Their co-authors include Nicole D. S. Grunstra, W. Tecumseh Fitch, Andrew C. Kitchener, and Michaela Gumpenberger. "We saw significant differences in the size and shape of the larynx and vocal folds between dogs and wolves," Hansen said. "Dogs, particularly mesocephalic breeds with medium-length snouts, had smaller larynges and shorter vocal folds." Those differences suggest that the evolution of dogs' friendly and expressive behavior may have come with vocal trade-offs. Lesch, who mentored Hansen throughout the project, said the findings help validate a core prediction of the NCDS hypothesis: that selection for tameness reduces neural crest cell migration, which in turn influences multiple body systems. "The larynx is largely derived from neural crest cells," Lesch said. "The fact that we see structural changes in this organ supports the idea that domestication has widespread anatomical effects. This occurs not just on the visible features like ears or snouts, but on deeper systems that affect communication." Their work also hints at larger implications. Some researchers believe humans underwent a process of "self-domestication," evolving to become more sociable and cooperative over time. If so, studies like this could provide a biological roadmap to investigate how human anatomy may have changed as a result, according to Lesch. Co-authors hail from research institutions in the U.S. and Europe, including Austria's University of Vienna and the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, as well as the National Museums Scotland, reflecting the international collaboration behind the study.

Skylar Boone, senior graphic design major, spent her summer studying abroad in Thailand, where she says the experience gave her confidence, independence, and a new outlook that will help her grow personally and professionally.

Tyler Burns, a senior civil and construction engineering major at Little Rock, is making the most of his college experience, all while balancing leadership roles, research opportunities, and hands-on industry experience.

Spencer Knight, a senior double majoring in electrical and computer engineering and physics at UA Little Rock, spent his summer exploring the future of space exploration as a computer research and development intern at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.

For Miesha Robinson, earning a college degree isn't just about personal success-it's about creating a brighter future for her two-year-old son, Malachi. As a single mother balancing work, school, and parenthood, Robinson is pursuing a marketing degree with concentrations in professional sales and digital marketing at UA Little Rock, thanks in part to the university's Corporate Partnerships Program.

Colleen Gilliland, who graduated from UA Little Rock in May with a bachelor's degree in biology, used a $4,000 grant from the Arkansas Division of Higher Education for the Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program to conduct research on the effects of bulimia on human teeth.

From web design to professional writing, Hannah Darden has always followed her curiosity about creativity and human behavior. The Little Rock native is now a second-year graduate student at UA Little Rock in professional and technical writing, building on her bachelor's degree in web design and development and interning this summer with local agency CJRW.

Four UA Little Rock students in the Department of Applied Communication recently received recognition for their work and significant contributions to the community.

Nineteen students from UA Little Rock's School of Art and Design spent two immersive weeks this summer studying contemporary Japanese art and culture in Tokyo and Kyoto. Led by Professors Michele Noiset and Clark Valentine, the May 19-30 study abroad trip offered hands-on experiences with calligraphy, tea ceremonies, temple architecture, and modern art museums. The trip encouraged students to reflect on the intersections of tradition, technology, and visual storytelling.

A group of University of Arkansas at Little Rock students embarked on a transformative summer study abroad program that took them on an interfaith and intercultural journey through Spain, where they explored centuries of Jewish, Christian, and Islamic influence on Spanish history, politics, and identity.

Zach Frank, a mechanical engineering student at UA Little Rock, has been awarded a $4,000 Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) grant from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education to support his research on developing a low-friction coating using recycled graphite from lithium-ion batteries.

Ten UA Little Rock students traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina, this May, gaining firsthand experience in global supply chain management. Led by Professors Joe Felan and Otmar Varela from the UA Little Rock School of Business, the May 15-24 study abroad program gave students the opportunity to explore international business practices while immersed in Argentinian culture. The trip included visits to banks and businesses, assignments analyzing global logistics, and cultural experiences that deepened their understanding of international markets.

A group of UA Little Rock mass communication students had the unique opportunity to work on the production of a feature-length film by Kiel Thorlton, chair of the School of Mass Communication.

The Arkansas Division of Higher Education has awarded a Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Grant to Price Sheets for an innovative research project aimed at improving battery performance.

Olivia Osborn, a Donaghey Scholar and junior marketing major from Alexander, spent her summer abroad exploring Ireland and gaining hands-on experience in the field of social media marketing.

Karoline Putnam, a junior mass communication major from Maumelle, spent her summer helping tell the stories of campers with special needs through an internship that's deepening her career goals and expanding her skills.

UA Little Rock student Samantha Kohoutek-Miller has earned a grant from an endowment honoring James L. "Skip" Rutherford III, dean emeritus of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. This grant was established to give students a financial boost to help them achieve their educational goals.

Noah Davidson, a senior history and political science major at UA Little Rock, spent his summer immersed in Arkansas history while completing a rewarding internship at the Old State House Museum in downtown Little Rock.

Kennedy Stockton, a construction management student at UA Little Rock, has been awarded a $5,000 scholarship from the Roofing Alliance, a national organization dedicated to supporting the roofing industry through education and workforce initiatives.

Nistha Neupane, a student double majoring in biology and chemistry at UA Little Rock, has received a Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) grant from the Arkansas Division of Higher Education for the second year in a row.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock announces its spring 2025 graduates.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock congratulates its Spring 2025 graduates with multiple degrees.

Four University of Arkansas at Little Rock students were honored on May 9 during a special Match Day ceremony hosted by the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, marking the next step in their journey to becoming teachers through the Trojan Teacher Residency Program.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock marked a major milestone this spring as it celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of students to earn a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity. The inaugural class of nine graduates includes Kenneth Barnett, Bryce Ebsen, Isaac Gonzalez, Courtney Ingram, Cameron Jackson, Cameron Johnson, David Leitnaker, Emily McClenahan, and Brandon Orender.

Two of UA Little Rock's most overlooked landmarks, the campus observatory and planetarium, are getting a second chance in the spotlight thanks to a short documentary created by graduating student Adrian Rogers.

Music students from UA Little Rock traveled to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville for the National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition (NATS).