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.
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
12/1/2025: We will continue to hang and finish drywall. Most of the ceiling grid has been installed, so there should be minimal drilling this week. Drilling will ramp back up as we move into the seismic upgrade work over the next couple of weeks.
11/26/2025
The construction team continues drilling this week, but it should be sporadic. Sheetrock and ceiling grid installation are underway, and some piping is being relocated following our above-ceiling inspection. We are also beginning preparations for epoxy installation.
We were unable to complete the chilled water shutdown last week due to technical issues and discovered that some coolers in Biomed II are still water-cooled rather than air-cooled. We are obtaining quotes for options to address this system shutdown.
If you experience any issues, please contact Paul Browning, Building Manager, at RBrowning2@uams.edu or 501.686.8899
Research News
UAMS Study Reveals Gaps in Obstetric Emergency Preparedness in Arkansas Emergency Departments
LITTLE ROCK — A study from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) finds that while obstetric emergencies are common in Arkansas emergency departments (EDs), many hospitals lack key protocols, training and capabilities needed to manage life-threatening maternal complications. UAMS researchers surveyed managers from 51 EDs, representing 61% of all hospital-based EDs statewide, to…
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UAMS Showcase for Medical Discoveries Features Arkansas INBRE
The latest University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Showcase of Medical Discoveries spotlighted the Arkansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE).
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UAMS Awarded $10.5 Million as Nationwide Hub to Develop Biomarkers for Human Diseases Including Cancer
UAMS has received a five-year, $10.5 million NIH grant to expand its national proteomics resource, the only one of its kind in the U.S. Led by Alan Tackett, Ph.D., the center provides advanced protein analysis to researchers nationwide, supporting discoveries that lead to new diagnostics, therapies and disease biomarkers.
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UAMS Receives $1.5 Million NCI Grant to Train Next Generation of Cancer Innovators
UAMS has received a $1.5 million National Cancer Institute grant to launch CADET, a new graduate-level certificate program that trains scientists to commercialize cancer-related technologies.
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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
Click to View Archived Seminars