UA Little Rock Student Awarded SURF Grant for Antibiotic Research

Armin Mortazi, a junior biology major and chemistry minor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has received a prestigious grant from the Student Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) awarded by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) for his research in combating antibiotic resistance.

Under the guidance of Dr. Noureen Siraj, associate professor of chemistry at UA Little Rock, Mortazi has been working to develop a means to address the issue of antibiotic resistance. His approach involves merging an ionic synthesis of a dye with a commercial antibiotic, developing a dual-killing mechanism that induces a photothermal therapeutic effect, otherwise known as PTT.

Mortazi, who was one of nine SURF grant recipients from UA Little Rock this year, expressed his gratitude and excitement for having been selected for this grant amongst a pool of talented applicants. The SURF grant, totaling $4,000, is a significant asset to Mortazi's research.

"It was surreal," shared Mortazi, a Donaghey Scholar from Mountain Home. "It honestly was really shocking the first time I received the grant. It's very competitive and limited, they can't give it to everyone, so getting that email was exciting." Armin has received the grant once again for the 2024 year for a different project.

Mortazi credits his interest in researching antibiotics to his work as a pharmacy technician, where he has witnessed firsthand the impact that antibiotics have on patients.

"Antibiotics are prescribed to kill bacteria, but the ones that don't die become resistant bacteria, or superbugs," said Mortazi. "This is bad news, because the only way to treat resistant bacteria is with a stronger dose of antibiotics. If the patient does not dispose of the antibiotic properly then the same cycle can repeat. By increasing these doses we are not solving the problem but merely putting a lid on it. With this project, we are one step closer to a solution."

"We need more students participating in research," said Mortazi. "The more students we have researching, the more answers we can come up with."

Moving forward, Mortazi plans to pursue medical school and become a physician. Mortazi, the founder of UA Little Rock's Pre-Health Club, is a passionate advocate for more student involvement in research as an important source of answers. The recently founded club boasts 130 members and invites more to join as it grows.