Arkansas Biosciences Institute Leaders and Faculty to Celebrate 20 Years at A-State

JONESBORO – For the past 20 years, research scientists at the Arkansas Biosciences Institute have worked hard to find answers as their work has guided them to where medicine and agriculture meet.

Arkansas voters approved a plan to set aside funds from the Tobacco Settlement Proceeds Act of 2000 to create a collaborative research enterprise that could help improve the health of the state's citizens. The result was the founding of the Arkansas Biosciences Institute.

On Wednesday, September 18, many people who took part in the founding of ABI, along with those currently involved in the institute's ongoing research, will gather at Arkansas State University to celebrate the achievements of the first two decades since ABI's official ribbon-cutting at A-State on September 18, 2004.

The 20th anniversary celebration will begin with a short ceremony at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18, in front of the ABI building. The building will then be open to visitors until 5 p.m., followed by a celebratory dinner and dance at the Fowler Center from 5:30 to 10 p.m. The annual ABI Research Symposium will conclude the two-day celebration on Thursday, September 19.

"More than 20 years ago, A-State committed to advancing research, innovation and discovery by developing the Arkansas Biosciences Institute, which has become the leading interdisciplinary research institute on campus," said Dr. Travis Marsico, vice chancellor for research, innovation and discovery and executive director of ABI at A-State. "Throughout its existence, more than 1,200 people have conducted research at ABI, including students, staff and faculty."

The afternoon event will feature remarks from former Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe of Searcy, who as a state senator played a key leadership role in developing the alliance of partner institutions within the Arkansas Biosciences Institute, which, in addition to Arkansas State University, includes the University of Arkansas, the Arkansas Children's Research Institute, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

A-State Chancellor Todd Shields and Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Calvin White Jr. will also take part in the celebration.

The evening ceremony at the Fowler Center will feature remarks from Marsico; Dr. Bobby McGehee, executive director of the Arkansas Biosciences Institute; and Dr. Donald Bobbitt, chair of the ABI board and president of the University of Arkansas System.

They will honor Dr. Carole Cramer, founding executive director of ABI at A-State, who joined while the facility was still under construction. She served in that role until 2010.

A keynote address by Dr. Billy Hudson and Dr. Julie Hudson of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center will follow. The Hudson family is partnering with A-State to bring interested students from the Delta region into the Aspirnaut Program they developed to engage more young people in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields. A celebratory dance at the Fowler Center will close out the evening.

The following day, Thursday, September 19, ABI will hold its annual Research Symposium, featuring oral and poster presentations from faculty and students of the five member institutions of the statewide ABI consortium. The event will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"Startup companies have been founded by faculty based at ABI, and the innovation continues," Marsico added. "We are excited to celebrate the past 20 years as we look forward to the next 20 years of rapid research growth.

"ABI will always focus on authentic, student-centered research experiences and professional preparation. We also look forward to cross-disciplinary collaboration that enables researchers to tackle today's complex and challenging societal problems."