UAMS Translational Research Institute

04/28/2026

Whether you're a researcher, clinician, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode offers practical insights on commercialization, startup strategy, and how innovation can become a meaningful part of an academic career.

What does it really take to turn clinical insight into scalable healthcare innovation?

In Episode 18 of the BioVentures Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Kevin W. Sexton, surgeon, scientist, innovator, and former BioVentures president, to explore his journey from clinical practice to building health tech solutions with real market impact.

From early exposure to entrepreneurship to developing predictive healthcare software later acquired by a Fortune 500 company, Dr. Sexton shares lessons on innovation, commercialization, and navigating the realities of building in healthcare.

A practical conversation for researchers, clinicians, and aspiring founders looking to bring meaningful innovation to healthcare.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5SXuRVTvii22i273vMhII2?si=P7KwMIn1RB675YpxIhJcUw

04/28/2026

Join us today at noon!

Join TRI for a Virtual Clinical Trials Learning Collaborative Seminar on April 28

TRI invites all UAMS-affiliated faculty to the next Clinical Trials Learning Collaborative Seminar on April 28 from noon to 1 p.m., via Zoom.

Geoffrey Curran, Ph.D., professor in the Departments of Pharmacy Practice and Psychiatry, director of the UAMS Center for Implementation Research, and Endowed Chair in Pharmacy Practice Innovation, will present "When Should You Start Caring About Implementation? Pretty Much Now."

Join this session to learn when and how to think about implementation during intervention development. Curran will show why starting early leads to stronger, more sustainable outcomes. He will share practical frameworks and methods to help researchers build implementation and sustainment into their work from the start.

Register to receive the Zoom link: https://redcapconnectt1.uams.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=LHREPYX8NAP3DM9D

04/27/2026

Join the Faith-Academic Initiatives for Transforming Health (FAITH) Network for its next Lunch and Learn from noon to 1 p.m. May 13.

The presenter is Mollee Steely Smith, Ph.D., who will discuss "Bridging Research and Care for Incarcerated Pregnant and Postpartum Women in Arkansas." Steely Smith is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and a member of the Health and Legal System (HEALS) Lab.

She will deliver an overview of the HEALS' Lab program initiatives and research efforts focused on pregnant and postpartum women who are incarcerated in the Arkansas state prison system.

https://uamshealth.zoom.us/j/93893286728?pwd=HxO9x7scxipygshXRBlGc6mMlLqGay.1

If needed, the virtual meeting ID is 938 9328 6728, and the passcode is 049870.

04/24/2026

Two weeks later, and we're still basking in the glow of a successful Translational Research Institute Research Day 2026. Thanks again to Barry Coller, M.D., from The Rockefeller University, for his keynote presentation.

He discussed the efforts to create zalunfiban, which is intended for prehospital use in patients suffering a suspected ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), caused by total blockage of the coronary artery. (The drug, which has antiplatelet effects, completed testing through a Phase III clinical trial in 2025 and was shown to be safe and effective in opening blocked coronary arteries.)

04/23/2026

TRIumph in the news! Read all about the TRI program that equips UAMS researchers with the tools to communicate research clearly, confidently, and in ways that connect with the communities they serve.

https://news.uams.edu/2026/04/22/triumph-program-uses-communication-to-connect-science-to-community/

04/22/2026

04/21/2026

04/21/2026

A group of students from the Hall-West High School of Innovation recently spent six days on the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) campus shadowing health professionals and learning about the academic and career opportunities available to them after they graduate in May.

04/21/2026

Become an Arkansas community research leader!

Apply now for the Community Partners Educated as Arkansas Research Leaders (CPEARL) program and take the next step toward advancing your leadership in Arkansas!

A six-month leadership development training program offered by the Translational Research Institute, the CPEARL program targets leaders and emerging leaders within nonprofit, community-based organizations located in Arkansas.

Don't miss your chance — submit your application by May 18!

Learn more, including an information session about the 2026 program:
https://tri.uams.edu/community/programs-and-funding/cpearl-program/

04/16/2026

Join TRI for a Virtual Clinical Trials Learning Collaborative Seminar on April 28

TRI invites all UAMS-affiliated faculty to the next Clinical Trials Learning Collaborative Seminar on April 28 from noon to 1 p.m., via Zoom.

Geoffrey Curran, Ph.D., professor in the Departments of Pharmacy Practice and Psychiatry, director of the UAMS Center for Implementation Research, and Endowed Chair in Pharmacy Practice Innovation, will present "When Should You Start Caring About Implementation? Pretty Much Now."

Join this session to learn when and how to think about implementation during intervention development. Curran will show why starting early leads to stronger, more sustainable outcomes. He will share practical frameworks and methods to help researchers build implementation and sustainment into their work from the start.

Register to receive the Zoom link: https://redcapconnectt1.uams.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=LHREPYX8NAP3DM9D

04/13/2026

The newest episode of the Faith-Academic Initiatives for Transforming Health (FAITH) Network podcast is available. The episode focuses on the "State of Men's Health" with topics ranging from why men avoid the doctor, including needed screenings for prostate cancer, high blood pressure, and cholesterol, to how the church and community organizations can help shift the culture.

The talk features Austin Porter, Dr.PH, MPH, an associate professor in the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health Department of Health Policy and Management, and chief science officer and state epidemiologist at the Arkansas Department of Health; the Rev. Johnny Smith from Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Pine Bluff; and Kelvin Parker, founder and executive director of GOAT (Giving Others Ambition Together).

Check it out wherever you listen to podcasts.

Apple
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-016-state-of-mens-health/id1665382455?i=1000758684181

Pandora
https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-faith-network-podcast/episode-016-state-of-mens-health/PE:1322989898

Simplecast
https://the-faith-network-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/episode-016

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2t7HHGIys8pFXSBDFEtA2E?si=G58cb_02Qr22FeYq3hcUrw

04/10/2026

Our 2026 Research Day was a fantastic success!

The all-day event showed how translational science principles are in action across Arkansas, from researchers exploring neurodevelopment in diabetic pregnancies or sickle cell neurological impact and cognition in teenagers to researchers strengthening community-engaged research or helping pharmacists lead overdose education.

It's great showing how TRI-supported researchers are making an impact in Arkansas and beyond.

Thanks to all the presenters, panelists, attendees, and our keynote speaker Dr. Barry Coller. Thanks to all our volunteers behind the scenes, too.