University News

Sen. Missy Irvin of Mountain View and Rep. Michelle Gray of Melbourne, backed by more than a dozen other members of the Republican Women’s Legislative Caucus, presented an oversized check for $2,021 to Michael J. Birrer, M.D., Ph.D., vice chancellor and director of the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at UAMS during a noon presentation Feb. 25 at the Arkansas State Capitol.

Arkansas Legislators Donate Funds to Support Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute’s Quest for NCI Designation

March 1, 2021 | Two years after Arkansas legislators passed legislation supporting UAMS’ efforts to expand its cancer research and treatment efforts, a group of legislators reaffirmed their commitment with personal donations. Sen. Missy Irvin of Mountain View and Rep. Michelle Gray of Melbourne, backed by more than a dozen other members of the Republican Women’s Legislative Caucus, presented...

“This award will support the development of an integrated and multi-faceted program to target immune suppression using blood cells in the ovarian tumor microenvironment,” said Cannon. “We hope our work will improve responses to immunotherapy, including dendritic cell vaccination.”

UAMS Researcher Cannon Awarded Nearly $1 Million to Study Vaccination Against Ovarian Cancer

Feb. 25, 2021 | LITTLE ROCK —Martin J. Cannon, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), has been awarded an Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) grant of $900,000 to study dendritic cell vaccination against ovarian cancer. A dendritic cell is a unique immune cell that boosts immune responses by displaying antigens such as toxins...

Chancellor Cam Patterson, right, listens as Sharanda Williams, chair of the House of Delegates, introduces him Feb. 23 at the State of the University presentation.

Chancellor’s State of the University Highlights Accomplishments in Challenging Year

Feb. 25, 2021 | Just meeting expectations in clinical care, medical education and research would have been a crowning achievement during the COVID-19 global pandemic, said University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Chancellor Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA. But instead, UAMS far exceeded expectations in almost every area.

Michael Mancino, M.D., oversees the MATRIARC program at UAMS. UAMS recently received a $3 million grant from the Arkansas Department of Human Services for the medication-assisted treatment of opioid-use disorder.

UAMS Received $3 Million to Reimburse Facilities that Provide Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use

Feb. 24, 2021 | LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) recently received $3 million from the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) to compensate facilities across the state providing medication-assisted treatment to opioid use disorder patients. The money will allow medical providers to offer treatment for opioid use disorder to patients without insurance or...

The fifth annual Proteomics Facility Staff Symposium on Feb. 2, held virtually by UAMS, brought together 36 proteomics core directors and staff members from IDeA (Institutional Development Award) states and Puerto Rico to learn more about operating and maintaining these facilities at their institutions.

National Proteomics Symposium Draws Leading Scientists Studying Proteins

Feb. 24, 2021 | Biomedical research begins with scientists identifying, analyzing and comparing proteins in biological samples. The complex process requires facilities known as proteomics cores filled with specialized equipment and highly trained staff. The fifth annual Proteomics Facility Staff Symposium on Feb. 2, held virtually by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), brought together 36 proteomics...

Pharmacist Neha Sharma, Pharm.D., and College of Pharmacy student Gabriella Nepomuceno work in the UAMS COVID-19 vaccination clinic. Starting Feb. 25, the clinic is relocating to the Centre at University Park at 6401 West 12th St., in Little Rock.

UAMS Partners with City of Little Rock To Relocate COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic

Feb. 23, 2021 | LITTLE ROCK — In partnership with the City of Little Rock, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is moving its public vaccination clinic to a new location.

Tuhin Virmani, M.D., is co-director of the Huntington Disease clinic at UAMS, which recently was named a Center of Excellence by the Huntington Disease Society of America.

UAMS Named a HDSA Center of Excellence for the Treatment of Huntington’s Disease

Feb. 23, 2021 | LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has been named a Center of Excellence for the treatment of Huntington’s disease by the Huntington Disease Society of America (HDSA). “Our multidisciplinary team comprised of neurologists, physical therapists, speech pathologists, social workers, nutritionists and geneticists has worked hard to bring the best care...

photo of Gaurav Dhar, M.D., in white coat

Gaurav Dhar, M.D., Joins UAMS Health as Director of Interventional Cardiology

Feb. 22, 2021 | LITTLE ROCK — Gaurav Dhar, M.D., has joined the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) to establish and grow the Structural Heart Program within the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine.

The UAMS-Hendrix partnership is teaching undergrads about translational research and involving them in an ongoing research project. Top row, l-r: Laura James, M.D., Andres Caro, Ph.D., and Clare Nesmith, M.D. Bottom row, students Emilie Cassar, Savannah Wiegel and Allison Long.

UAMS, Hendrix Partnership Gives Undergraduate Students Research ‘Immersion’ Opportunity

Feb. 22, 2021 | Through a partnership with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Hendrix College students have a unique opportunity to address a critical human health issue in the new Clinical and Translational Research Immersion (CTRI) Program. Andres Caro, Ph.D., a professor of chemistry at Hendrix, is leading the educational components of the program in collaboration...

Grants aim to make broadband more available to rural Arkansas communities.

Broadband Grants up to $75,000 Remain Available to Rural Arkansas Communities through UAMS

Feb. 22, 2021 | LITTLE ROCK — Grants of up to $75,000 each are available to help rural Arkansas communities apply for federal grants and loans to make broadband accessible to their residents. Last year, $2 million was allocated as part of the Rural Broadband I.D. Expenses Trust Fund Grant. The program is funded by the state’s Restricted Reserve...