Michael Thomsen, Ph.D., Honored by Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance
| Michael Thomsen, Ph.D., professor in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, works hard to help solve Arkansas’ food-related shortcomings.
The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, which strives to create a hunger-free Natural State, celebrated Thomsen’s diligence, naming the educator and researcher as one of its 2026 Acting Out Against Hunger honorees.
“I felt special to receive the recognition,” Thomsen said. “But the honor is directly linked to the many great people I work with at UAMS.”
Arkansas leading the country in food insecurity is a public health difficulty that presents negative health outcomes for many people. Thomsen says it is imperative that health professionals create practical solutions.
“One in five Arkansans experience food insecurity, despite the agricultural abundance of our state,” Thomsen said. “This is a problem we can and should solve. Those who experience food insecurity are at greater risk for diet-related chronic diseases.”
Director of the college’s Center for the Study of Obesity, Thomsen has a team comprised of students, staff and fellow UAMS faculty that helps him conduct statewide research projects.
Initiatives include:
- Access to an Affordable and Healthy Diet
- The Green Schoolyard Study
- School nutrition programs
- HOPE (Healthy Outcomes through Produce Prescriptions and Education) for Cancer
Thomsen commended the alliance for its dedication to supporting research and the various other efforts of the center.
“The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance is an important partner and a great source of interesting research ideas,” he said. “I’ve had the opportunity to participate in networks that the alliance leads, like the No Kid Hungry campaign, which have helped improve the relevance of the work we do at UAMS.”
During the organization’s awards breakfast, Thomsen expressed gratitude and motivation while speaking about the center. He acknowledged that the dedication of his team and the cooperation of Arkansans, is key to the center fulfilling its mission to prevent and reduce obesity through projects that improve public health practice, inform policy, and enable healthy lifestyles.
“Our research program uses Arkansas data to understand the benefits for better access to nutrition,” he said. “I think this is important for those making decisions here in our state. The findings from our program directly show what can happen here in Arkansas.”