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Robert J. Shmookler Reis, Ph.D.
UAMS’ Robert Reis, Ph.D., Receives Award from International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences
| The International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences honored Robert J. Shmookler Reis, Ph.D., a professor and researcher in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine, with an award that recognizes advancements in clinical science.
Reis received the Jawahar (Jay) Mehta Annual Award for Clinical Scientist during the organization’s North American Section conference in Tampa, Florida.
Reis is a professor in the Department of Geriatrics and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He also serves as a senior research career scientist in the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System.
His internationally recognized research focuses on genetic factors in longevity and age-associated diseases. He and his collaborators have also published five papers in the cardiology field, including two in 2023.
The most recent paper demonstrated an increase in protein aggregation in hearts and brains after a myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack. Protein aggregation is associated with aging and with neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.
“I’m a biologist and geneticist, rather than a cardiologist, so I feel especially honored to be recognized by such a renowned group of experts in the field of cardiovascular science,” he said.
Reis noted that the award is credited to a research group leader but is based on the combined contributions of the group members. His collaborators are Srinivas Ayyadevara, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Geriatrics; Meenakshisundaram Balasubramaniam, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Geriatrics; Akshatha Ganne, postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Geriatrics; Nirjal Mainali and Sonu Pahal, students in the Department of Biomedical Informatics; Ramani Atluri, research associate in the Department of Biomedical Informatics; and Raj Kore, instructor in the College of Medicine’s Department of Internal Medicine.
The award from the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences is named after Jawahar (Jay) Mehta, M.D., Ph.D., a cardiologist and distinguished professor in the UAMS College of Medicine.
UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and eight institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute, Institute for Digital Health & Innovation and the Institute for Community Health Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 3,485 students, 915 medical residents and fellows, and seven dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 11,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube or Instagram.###