Olivia Franklin
AED President
Hey y’all! My name is Olivia Franklin and I am your current AED President! I’m so excited to be serving y’all this year and I can’t wait to see the amazing things to come for our community. Little about me: I am a junior Honors Biology and Psychology double major from a small town called Kearney, Missouri. I love volunteering with the local animal shelters and helping prospective students find their home in the Honors College here. I am currently helping in a concussion research lab under Dr. Elbin in Kinesiology. In my free time, I love hiking, playing with the world’s cutest dog (certification pending) and window shopping at Target. If you see me on campus, come and say hi! I want to get to know you all!
Summer Webers
Vice President
Hi everyone! My name is Summer Webers, and I am an honors Psychology and Biology double major from Mountain Home, Arkansas. I am your current AED Vice President and the Psychology Club Treasurer. I enjoy volunteering for the children’s ministry and college ministry at New Life Church. Currently, I am working on dopamine genetics research underneath Dr. Connie Lamm (Neuroscience) and Dr. Douglas Rhoads (Molecular Biology). In my free time, I enjoy camping and hiking around the Ozarks. Although I am still determining what path to take after graduation, I know that my future career will be in medicine, because it is my biggest passion. I am looking forward to meeting all of you!
Jennie Finch
AED Secretary
Hey everyone, my name is Jennie Finch and I am so excited to be serving as the AED secretary this year. I am a sophomore honors biology major from North Little Rock, AR. I’m keeping my options open as far as specialty goes, but medicine is my passion. I am currently working on genetics research under Dr. Ceballos. I love volunteering with WelcomeHealth and have been to rural Nicaragua to provide medical care with the Global Medical Brigades. In my free time, you can find me reading a good book. I’m here to serve, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to me!
Hudson Surber
AED Reporter
Hi everyone! I am Hudson Surber, the new Reporter for AED, so every email you get was typed by yours truly! I am from the great city of Tulsa, Oklahoma and I am a sophomore majoring in Biology and Political Science. I am currently involved in a biomedical engineering lab researching mitral valve repair techniques for cardiovascular surgery under Dr. Hanna Jensen and Dr. Morten Jensen. I am also the newly chosen Communications Director for engagement on the VAC board, and I serve as the Philanthropy Chairman for my fraternity, Kappa Alpha Order! I love to volunteer at the veterans hospital as well as the VAC food pantry and I am planning on attending medical school after undergraduate study. I have many hobbies like running, playing piano, and pulling pranks on people!
Tony Roller
AED Treasurer
Hello all! My name is Tony Roller and I am thrilled to be your AED Treasurer for 2018-2019. I am a sophomore honors student majoring in Biomedical Engineering and minoring in Biology and Mathematics, and I hail from the great city of Rogers, Arkansas. In addition to my involvement with AED, I am a member of Phi Delta Theta and the Biomedical Engineering Society. Upon completion of medical school, I hope to become a family medicine physician. In my free time I enjoy hiking, canoeing, and exploring everything that the Ozarks have to offer. I am very excited and look forward to serving as your treasurer this year!
Amrit Kannan
AED Historian
Hi everyone! I’m Amrit Kannan, and I’m your 2018-2019 Historian! I’m a sophomore biochemistry major and psychology minor from Fort Smith. In addition to being involved in your typical pre-med activities such as research and volunteering, I’m an avid aviation photographer and traveler. My future goals include becoming involved with an organization like Doctors Without Borders, and providing medical relief to people around the world who most need it. You’ll see me at AED events lurking around with my big camera, so feel free to come by and say hi!
Sara Venier
AED Volunteer Co-Chair
Hey everyone! I am Sara Venier, and I am so excited to spend the next year serving as volunteer co-chair. I am from a town called Liberty, which is just a little bit north of Kansas City, MO. I’m an honors student majoring in biology and minoring in marketing and mathematics; I also am involved in a research project through the Biomedical Engineering department on the effects of traumatic brain injuries! For the past year, I have had the opportunity to volunteer in the emergency department at Washington Regional hospital, and I also am on the executive board of my sorority, Alpha Delta Pi. If you have any questions about ways to get involved in volunteering, or just general questions feel free to reach out at any time!
Julia Bielanin
AED Volunteer Co-Chair
My name is Julia Bielanin and it’s an honor to serve AED. I am from Cabot, Arkansas and my majors are Honors Biochemistry and Psychology with a Biology minor. My research involves developing an alginate nanoscaffold that will be useful in the delivery of drugs for ALS with Dr. Tian and Dr. Kiaei at UAMS. I spend my free time volunteering as a Girl Scouts STEM leader and ER volunteer at the VA. I have a passion for serving and want to get every single one of you involved in our awesome community. Contact me and we can talk about all the options you have!
Sofia Espina
AED Diversity Co-Chair
Hello fellow classmates! My name is Sofia Espina. I am thrilled to serve as one of your Diversity Co-Chairs for Alpha Epsilon Delta! I am currently a sophomore Honors Biochemistry major, Biology minor, and Spanish heritage minor from Fort Smith, Arkansas. I enjoy volunteering weekly at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Fayetteville to serve those who have served, and still serve us. As far as research, I am a member of Dr. Kumar’s impressive Biochemistry Research team. When I am not studying, I am happily training Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or Mu Sool Won, three of my favorite martial arts systems. I am excited to meet you all at the upcoming Diversity Events!
Wyatt D’Spain
Diversity Co-Chair
Greetings. My name is Wyatt D’Spain and I am honored to serve as one of AED’s Diversity Co Chairs! I am a current sophomore studying Honors Biology with a minor in General Business from Bentonville, Arkansas. I plan on volunteering at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and I spend my summers serving as a counselor at Kanakuk Kamps. After medical school, I would like to become a neurosurgeon or oncologist and change the world through healthcare. During the warmer months of the year, you can find me out on the lake or playing soccer at the intramural fields.
Dr. Mack Ivey
AED Advisor/Faculty
Associate professor and vice-chair of biological sciences, J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Ivey’s research focuses on microorganisms living in extreme environments and the disease mechanisms of the human pathogen Clostridium difficile.