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

09/12/2024

JONESBORO - For the past 20 years, the research scientists at Arkansas Biosciences Institute have been working diligently to find answers as their work guides them where medicine and agriculture meet.

Arkansas voters approved a plan to dedicate 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 Arkansas Biosciences Institute.

On Wednesday, Sept. 18, many of those involved with ABI's creation and those currently involved with its ongoing research will gather at Arkansas State University to celebrate the achievements of those first two decades since the ribbon was cut to formally open ABI at A-State on Sept. 18, 2004.

The 20th anniversary celebration will start with a brief ceremony at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, in front of the ABI building. Afterward, the building will be open for tours until 5 p.m., followed by a dinner and celebration dance party at Fowler Center, 5:30-10 p.m. The annual ABI Research Symposium concludes the two-day celebration on Thursday, Sept. 19.

"More than 20 years ago, A-State made the commitment to grow research, innovation and discovery by developing the Arkansas Biosciences Institute, which has become the premier interdisciplinary research institute on campus," stated Dr. Travis Marsico, vice provost for research, innovation and discovery and executive director of ABI at A-State. "During its existence, more than 1,200 people have researched in ABI, including students, staff and faculty."

The afternoon event will feature remarks by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe of Searcy, who as a state senator played a key leadership role in developing the consortium of institutions that collaborate in the Arkansas Biosciences Institute, which in addition to Arkansas State University includes the University of Arkansas, Arkansas Children's Research Institute, 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. also will participate in the celebration.

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

They will recognize Dr. Carole Cramer, the founding executive director of ABI at A-State, who came on board while the facility was still under construction. She served in this role until 2010.

The keynote address by Dr. Billy Hudson and Dr. Julie Hudson of Vanderbilt University Medical Center will follow. The Hudsons are working with A-State to bring interested Delta region students into the Aspirnaut Program they developed to entice more young people into the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines. A celebration dance party at Fowler Center will conclude the evening.

The following day, Thursday, Sept. 19, ABI will conduct its annual Research Symposium to showcase oral and poster presentations from faculty and students of the five member institutions of the statewide ABI consortium. This event runs from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

"Start-up companies have been created by faculty members based in ABI, and the innovation continues," Marsico added. "We are thrilled to be celebrating the last 20 years while we look forward to the next 20 years of rapid research growth.

"ABI will always retain its focus on a student-centered authentic research experience and professional preparation. We also look forward to leaning into collaboration across disciplines that allows researchers to solve the complex and vexing problems in society today."

Then-State Sen. Mike Beebe, holding scissors, cuts the ribbon to open Arkansas Biosciences Institute at A-State in 2004 as the first executive director, Dr. Carole Cramer (far left) and other dignitaries look on.

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