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Noureen Siraj, Ph.D., of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock discusses her research at the UAMS Showcase of Medical Discoveries on Nov. 20. Image by Nathan Tidwell

UAMS Showcase for Medical Discoveries Features Arkansas INBRE

Dec. 3, 2025 | The latest University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Showcase of Medical Discoveries spotlighted the Arkansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE).

The final showcase of the year, held Nov. 20 at the Fred W. Smith Auditorium on the 12^th floor of the Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, highlighted the various ways INBRE fosters biomedical research, education and collaboration across Arkansas.

Arkansas INBRE was established in 2001. The statewide network includes two comprehensive research universities (UAMS and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville) and 16 primarily undergraduate institutions.

“We are proud to highlight the innovative work supported by INBRE that drives discovery, strengthens research capacity and expands opportunities for scientific advancement throughout our state,” said Daniel Voth, Ph.D., UAMS vice chancellor for Research & Innovation, which sponsors the Showcase of Medical Discoveries series.

Lawrence Cornett, Ph.D., a distinguished professor in the College of Medicine Department of Physiology and Cell Biology and the director of the INBRE program, said INBRE plays an important role in bolstering research in the state.

“Through further enhancement of research infrastructure, particularly at undergraduate institutions, the Arkansas INBRE continues to improve the ability of academic researchers to make discoveries that improve human health, increase the number of undergraduate students who choose careers in biomedical research and stimulate the growth of biomedical research in Arkansas,” he said.

The showcase allowed for discussions among faculty and guests about INBRE’s core programs.

Jerry Ware, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology and the INBRE associate director, directs the Development Research Project Program.

“The Developmental Research Project Program plays a key role in expanding biomedical research by supporting research led by primarily undergraduate institution faculty,” Ware said. “The DRP Program increases opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in biomedical research with the aim of producing the next generation of biomedical researchers.”

Christopher Wardell, Ph.D., assistant professor in the College of Medicine Department of Biomedical Informatics and the director of the INBRE Data Science Core, discussed how the program assists institutions.

“Our goal is providing expertise to get science done and educating the faculty and undergraduates,” he said. “Any faculty that comes to us with a project will involve sequencing, proteomics or some other data science element. Rather than do it and give them the data back, it’s helpful if we teach them something about it.”

INBRE’s support of primarily undergraduate institutions across the state was on display at the showcase.

Noureen Siraj, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, discussed her research “Emerging Ionic Nanomedicines from Synthesis and Characterization to in Vitro and in Vivo Performance.”

“We’re working on a novel approach to develop a drug that targets tumors. We can kill the tumor with less dosage and fewer side effects. My goal is to selectively target the tumor cell without damaging normal cells,” said Siraj.

Siraj, who collaborates with Robert Griffin, Ph.D., professor in the College of Medicine Department of Radiation Oncology, expressed appreciation for INBRE.

“INBRE helped me with the funding for this research and put me with a great mentor, Dr. Griffin,” she added.

Greg Naumiec, Ph.D., associate professor in the University of Central Arkansas Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, credits INBRE for backing his lab.

“One of the most important things INBRE helps with is funding research students over the summer. During the school year, our students only get three to six hours of research per week, which is not a lot,” Naumiec said. “In the summer when we can pay them through this funding, they can get 30 to 40 hours per week.”

Naumiec works with Tiffany Weinkopff, Ph.D., assistant professor in the College of Medicine Department of Microbiology & Immunology.

Hendrix College’s Julie Gunderson, Ph.D., associate professor and the school’s chair of the Department of Physics, noted how INBRE assisted with beginning her research.

“I’m in my 10^th year at Hendrix. In my first year I received several grants through INBRE, which helped me start my lab. I now have a well-established lab for biochemistry and biophysics, and all the equipment in my lab has been purchased with INBRE funding. Support from the Arkansas INBRE program has allowed me to provide research opportunities for more than 40 undergraduate students throughout my career at Hendrix.”

Gunderson’s UAMS counterpart is Robert Eoff, Ph.D., professor in the College of Medicine Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Showcase posters and research titles:

• Lawrence Cornett, Ph.D. — “Arkansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence: Advancing Biomedical Research in Arkansas”; “The EPSCoR/IDeA Programs: Closing the Funding Gap in the U.S.”
• Eric Enemark, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the director of the INBRE Research Technology Core — “Arkansas INBRE Research Technology Core”
• Julie Gunderson, Ph.D.; Robert Eoff, Ph.D. — “Exploring Rev1-DNA Interactions Using Single-Molecule Fluorescence Spectroscopy”
• Diane McKinstry, BBA, INBRE Summer Research Program Manager — “Providing Opportunities for Undergraduate Students to Participate in Biomedical Research”
• Gregory Naumiec, Ph.D.; Tiffany Weinkopff, Ph.D. — “N,N’-Disquaramides: A Promising Class of Anti-Leishmanial Drugs Against L. Major”
• Noureen Siraj, Ph.D.; Robert Griffin, Ph.D. — “Emerging Ionic Nanomedicines from Synthesis and Characterization to in Vitro and in Vivo Performance”
• Feng “Seymour” Wang, Ph.D., distinguished professor in the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and the director of the INBRE Outreach Core — “Building a Biomedical Research Pipeline in Arkansas: The INBRE Undergraduate Research Conference”
• Christopher Wardell, Ph.D. — “Arkansas INBRE Data Science Core”
• Jerry Ware, Ph.D. — “Funding Biomedical Research Within the Arkansas INBRE Network: The Developmental Research Project Program”