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Geoffrey Curran, Ph.D., discusses implementation science opportunities with attendees of the 2024 Translational Research Institute Research Expo.
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How Geoffrey Curran, Ph.D., Forged a National Implementation Science Hub at UAMS
| In biomedical research, some leaders not only advance their field but also build communities around it. Geoffrey Curran, Ph.D., is one such leader. Since joining the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in 1999, his name has become synonymous with implementation science, not just within Arkansas, but across the globe.
Curran’s journey into implementation science began at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS), which in 1998 launched a program focusing on implementation of mental health guidelines as part of a new nationwide program at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“It was very proactive and intervention-focused, and I was excited about it because it aligned with my training in sociology,” said Curran, whose doctorate is in that field.
The experience laid the groundwork for his leadership at the UAMS Center for Implementation Research and the UAMS Translational Research Institute’s Implementation Science Scholar Program, where he has fostered a thriving environment for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Shaping the Field
Curran’s contributions are far-reaching, extending beyond UAMS and impacting how implementation science is understood and practiced across the U.S. and beyond.
He recently represented UAMS at the annual Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) meeting hosted by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. Presenting on behalf of the Translational Research Institute, Curran was among just five CTSA representatives from the 60-plus member consortium invited to discuss innovative projects. The institute’s project, led by Curran, will use implementation science to address disparities in the delivery of evidence-based practices in health care.
“Implementation science, by definition, aligns with translational science,” said Curran, a professor in the College of Pharmacy and Endowed Chair in Pharmacy Practice Innovation.
In a November 2024 publication about building capacity in dissemination and implementation research, Curran was listed as the fourth-ranked expert for “grant advice” and “career advice” in the field based on a survey of 482 researchers in the U.S. and Canada. He also ranked sixth for “all advice types” and “research advice.”
Curran’s groundbreaking 2012 “hybrid” studies paper, which came from his work at CAVHS, revolutionized how researchers merge clinical effectiveness studies with implementation research.
“This approach has become a common and default way that people study this stuff now in our field.”
Sara Landes, Ph.D., associate director of the Center for Implementation Research and a key member of Curran’s team, said the paper was deeply influential, steering her from the VA Palo Alto Health Care System in Palo Alto, Calif., to UAMS and CAVHS in 2015.
Sara Landes, Ph.D.
“When I read it, I was blown away, and it’s become a landmark concept,” said Landes, an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and director of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Behavioral Health Quality Enhancement Research Initiative Program. Curran’s paper has become one of the most cited papers in the field (more than 3,400 times).
Curran’s unique ability to help researchers communicate complex concepts has also been transformative for the field.
“His practice of referring to ‘the thing’ you’re implementing helps break down barriers across disciplines and allows researchers to work towards a common goal,” Landes said.
He wrote about this approach in another signature article, “Implementation Science Made Too Simple: A Teaching Tool.” It has been cited 125 times in four years.
Implementation in Action: Impacting Arkansas
Under Curran’s leadership, the institute’s Implementation Science Scholar Program has equipped 19 clinicians with the skills to improve practice at their local level, directly impacting patient care in Arkansas.
“The program is relatively novel because it focuses on front-line clinicians, not researchers,” Curran said.
He and Landes say it is deeply gratifying to see motivated clinicians learn new skills, deploy strategies and measure their impact.
“It’s amazing to see our work translate directly into improved care for patients in our system,” he said.
Cultivating a Collaborative Ecosystem
Curran’s vision extends beyond publications and grants; he has cultivated a vibrant interdisciplinary community at UAMS.
“We draw researchers from all five UAMS colleges, and the environment is incredibly welcoming,” Landes said. “We have researchers who drive down from Fayetteville to attend our events because they value that collaborative spirit. It’s unique and it’s a testament to Geoff’s vision.”
Mentorship is central to Curran’s approach. “Geoff is more than an expert, he’s a champion for his team,” Landes said. “He actively creates opportunities for others. It’s not about him; it’s about building expertise and fostering growth across the field.”
At a recent implementation science conference, Curran initiated a panel on overcoming research challenges.
“He openly shared stories of studies that didn’t unfold as expected, and how he addressed these roadblocks,” Landes said. “The session was overflowing because his transparency resonates with researchers.”
Building Connections
Beyond his professional achievements, Curran cultivates a sense of belonging within the UAMS community, which Landes has experienced personally.
As she drove from California to Little Rock in 2015, Landes tried unsuccessfully to follow a game involving her favorite baseball team — the Chicago Cubs. To her delight, Curran had an eye on the game and kept her updated via texts.
“I knew then I was coming to the right place to work with the right person,” Landes said.