LITTLE ROCK – Arkansans are invited to attend an information session May 5 about research that is being conducted at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) campus.
The free session will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Willie Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center, first floor auditorium, 3805 W. 12th St., Little Rock. The evening will include small-group 10-minute sessions in which researchers talk about their work. The researchers will represent fields such as clinical research, basic (laboratory) science and community-based (survey) research. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Nicki Spencer, ndspencer@uams.edu, or 501-526-6629.
“We hope this session and future sessions can help demystify the research we do at UAMS,” said Kate Stewart, M.D., M.P.H., whose research is conducted in partnership with Arkansas communities. “It’s critically important that people understand what we do because we can’t improve health without their help.”
Sponsored by the UAMS Translational Research Institute, the May 5 informational session will be followed by other sessions to be announced this summer. In addition to informing the public about research, Stewart says the sessions will help to get the word out about UAMS’ first Community Scientist Academy being piloted this fall.
“We’re looking for people who want to learn even more about our research beyond these information sessions,” said Stewart, who leads the Translational Research Institute’s community engagement program.
The Community Scientist Academy will be a multi-week program for participants to develop a knowledge base and help engage the public in UAMS’ many research endeavors.
“The Academy will create a cadre of community members who can influence research by serving on steering committees, mentoring committees, review committees, research projects, and in other leadership capacities,” Stewart said.