Spotlight on Our Achievements: Pearl McElfish, Ph.D., MBA, MS, PMP
Pearl McElfish, Ph.D., MBA, MS, PMP, Director of the Institute, has been awarded a nearly $12 million grant through the National Institutes of Health’s Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE). This prestigious grant will establish a cutting-edge research center focused on maternal and reproductive health innovations in Arkansas.
As part of this initiative, the Institute will host a national conference next spring, bringing together leading researchers and thought leaders to advance maternal and reproductive health.
UAMS COBRE Award Featured in Statewide Media:
Recent Awards
Congratulations to our investigators on their competitive awards!
Pear McElfish, Ph.D.
Dr. McElfish received awards from NIH ($1,529,996, Yr 1; 09/01/2025–08/31/2027) and HRSA ($400,000, Yr 1; 09/01/2025–08/31/2028)
Nirvana Manning, M.D.
Dr. Manning received an award from the Health Resources and Services Administration totaling $999,951 (Year 1), covering the period 09/30/2025 – 09/29/2029.
Recent Awards
Stephen Foster, M.D.
Dr. Foster received an award from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention totaling $544,420, covering the period 08/30/2025 – 08/29/2030.
Susan Emmett, M.D.
Dr. Emmett received an award from the National Institutes of Health totaling $211,774 (Year 1), covering the period 08/15/2025 – 07/31/2030.
Güneş Koru, Ph.D., FAMIA
Dr. Koru received an award from the National Institutes of Health totaling $49,964 (Year 1), covering the period 09/15/2025 – 06/30/2027.
Biomed Building I Renovation Update
11/3/2025
The construction team is working through the remaining checklist items in preparation for the scheduled above-ceiling inspection next week. Continued drilling activity should be expected; however, that phase is nearing completion. Most walls are now in place, and ceiling grid installation is underway in areas where piping and ductwork have already been installed.
Fire alarm swap-outs are also progressing quickly, with floors 4 and 5 now complete. Contractors will be working on floors 2 and 3 this week. After that, activity will move to the penthouse and basement areas.
If you experience any issues, please contact Paul Browning, Building Manager, at RBrowning2@uams.edu or 501.686.8899
Biomed I Renovation Project Updates
UAMS Research News
News & Announcements
Barber Connect Addresses Men’s Health and Celebrates Barbershop Talk Program
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health Barbershop Talk research team recently hosted its first-ever Barber Connect. The Oct. 27 showcase took place at Little Rock’s Mosaic Templars Cultural Center. It gave barbers who participate in the Barbershop Talk program the chance to network, learn more about…
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UAMS Study Finds Digital Barriers May Limit Rural Cancer Survivors from Participating in Research
LITTLE ROCK — Limited access to digital resources may be one reason why rural cancer survivors are underrepresented in cancer research, according to researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Institute for Community Health Innovation. Researchers found that rural cancer survivors were willing to participate in cancer research studies. However, factors such…
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UAMS Researcher Leads $2.2 Million Project Addressing Youth Health in Arkansas
Ann Chou, Ph.D., MPH, professor for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, is leading a $2.2 million community-based study that addresses access to preventive health services for Arkansas’ youth. “We have challenges in our state and the idea is to work toward improving the situation as…
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Cancer Institute Researcher Studying Whether Physical Activity Can Help Breast Cancer Survivors Remain in Workforce
Jaimi “Mimi” Allen, Ph.D., is examining the link between physical activity and employment for Arkansas women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Allen, an assistant professor in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health Department of Epidemiology, is leading the project, “Explaining the Potential Role of…
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Impact of new federal funding decisions on UAMS research activity
Past Research and Innovation Seminars
Seminar Series on Grantsmanship, Research Administration, Grants Management, and Regulatory Affairs
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