Dr. Mansour Mortazavi, Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Economic Development, center, is pictured with Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and UAPB Chancellor Laurence B. Alexander. Dr. Mortazavi was one of six members of the Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA) Fellows Program. Photo by Brad Mayhugh
Dr. Mansour Mortazavi, Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Economic Development at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), was recognized as one of six Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA) Fellows at a press conference held at the Arkansas State Capitol today. The ARA Fellows program recognizes distinguished university research leaders in the state with an established history of impact. The program was created to advance the mission of ARA by supporting world-class researchers whose work strengthens the competitiveness of the state through research. ARA Fellows focus on innovations in biomedical engineering, plant biochemistry, nanoscience, microbiology, nutritional improvements, electronics research that often results in a direct impact on the state’s economy.
“I am so grateful to be recognized as part of the program,” said Dr. Mortazavi. “I’m so happy that our work at UAPB is being noticed. I hope to continue to boost our work with the goal of benefiting graduate disciplines.”
Governor Asa Hutchinson announced the six ARA Fellows, each representing different research universities in the state: UAPB, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Arkansas State University, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR). Each ARA Fellow was nominated by the chancellor of their affiliated university and will receive a $75,000 grant paid over three years.
Dr. Mortazavi began teaching at the university level as a graduate teaching/research assistant at the University of Arkansas from 1984 through September 2017. He earned the rank of Full Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Physics and the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.
After joining UAPB in 1992, he began his research. Since 1995, Dr. Mortazavi has continued to receive funding from federal and state agencies. As Principal Investigator, he has received awards from Air Force of Scientific Research; Army Research Laboratories; National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); and National Science Foundation. Dr. Mortazavi has also been in partnership with grants related to nanoscience, engineering and computer science disciplines.
He has publications featured in journals such as Science, Science News, Physical Review Letters, and Optics Letters. Dr. Mortazavi was involved in design and implementation of Spintronics research which had the world record for efficiency and consistency.
Dr. Mortazavi is affiliated with the University of Arkansas as a faculty member of Nanoscience and Engineering Institute and Micro-Electronics and Photonics. In September 2017, he was selected to serve as Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Economic Development. Currently, he has initiated collaborations with the Pine Bluff Arsenal and the National Center for Toxicological Research in addition to partnerships with universities in the state of Arkansas. Dr. Mortazavi is active member of many scientific societies and his office publish a journal “INNOVATE” to highlight the research activities of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
UAPB News 