<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><item href="/news/2026/second-chance-scientist.php" dsn="news"><pubDate>04/13/2026</pubDate><title>Second Chance Scientist</title><description>When Christopher Edwards first came to the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, he wasn't sure what he wanted to do with his life. After dropping out and spending nearly a decade in the workplace, he realized a change was needed. He returned to UAFS and is set to graduate in May as he pursues a new career in marine biology.</description><author>Ian Silvester</author><category>Arts and Sciences</category><category>Lion Voices</category><image><img src="/news/_images/christopher-edwards.jpg" alt="Christopher Edwards, center, shares his research into coral bleaching at the 19th Annual Student Research Symposium in UAFS's Boreham Library."/></image><caption>Christopher Edwards (center) shares his research at the 19th Annual Student Research Symposium. Courtesy Jacob Howell</caption><tags><tag>Biology</tag><tag>College of Arts and Sciences</tag><tag>Non-Traditional Student</tag></tags><archive>2026-04</archive></item>