Magnet Areas
The College of Medicine launched several magnet initiatives in the past few years to build on existing research and clinical strengths. By “connecting the dots” UAMS medical expertise and resources associated with different diseases and spread across many departments and laboratories, can be focused on improving the health of all Arkansans. The COM magnet groups meet on a quarterly basis. Some are well established and active, while others are fledgling efforts that have just begun to build momentum or are exploring their focus. The following active groups are updated below.
Cardiovascular
- The COM cardiovascular magnet initiative has grown and evolved into the UAMS Cardiovascular Center (UCVC).
- Nancy Rusch, PhD, Chair of the Dept. of Pharmacology/Toxicology is the director of the UCVC in alliance with steering committee representatives from several UAMS colleges.
- UCVC hosts cardiovascular research interest groups in the areas of hypertension and atherosclerosis directed by Philip Palade, PhD.
in the Dept. of Pharmacology/Toxicology
- Serving With Our Hearts is the UCVC newsletter
Nanomedicine
- The COM nanomedicine magnet initiative has also grown into the Arkansas Nanomedicine Center (ANC). This COM enterprise integrates nanomedicine efforts and resources from within UAMS and partnering institutions.
- The center is directed by Vladimir Zharov, PhD, a professor in the Dept. of Otolaryngology and Director of the Phillips Classic Laser and Nanomedicine Laboratories. Center co-directors are Michael Borrelli, PhD, a Professor and Director of Research in the Dept. of Radiology, and Rob Griffin, PhD, a Professor in the Dept. of Radiation Oncology and co-leader of the Experimental Therapeutic Program.
- ANC researchers are applying nanotechnology methods and materials to deciphering the mechanisms of biofilms and infectious disease, cancer, and stroke among other areas.
- The ANC is also working closely with the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) on nanotoxicity and other projects. NCTR faculty also collaborate with UAMS and other researchers around the state on nanomaterials.
- ANC leaders also serve on the statewide planning committee for the annual Nanotechnolgoy for Healthcare conference to be held at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute on Petit Jean Mountain. For more information contact ldwilliams@uams.edu.
Trauma & Emergency Care
- The trauma and emergency care magnet is co-chaired by Todd Maxson, MD, an Associate Professor of Surgery and Trauma Director at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH), and Ron Robertson, MD, a Professor of Surgery and UAMS Associate Trauma Director.
- The trauma magnet was formed to stimulate and facilitate collaborative trauma and injury research, including collaboration with the new trauma system and the designation of UAMS and ACH as Level I trauma centers.
- In conjunction with the UAMS Translational Reserach Institute, the group is assessing and cataloging existing research activities of faculty along with the diverse data resources relevant to trauma research.
Personalized Medicine
- The personalized medicine magnet group, chaired by G. Richard Smith, MD, Chairman of the Dept. of Psychiatry, seeks to facilitate communication between clinicians, basic science and translational researchers in molecular testing and other issues crucial to the advancement of personalized medicine capabilities at UAMS.
- Billing and IT hurdles are currently be assessed and plans made to clear them.
- Strengthening the connection with the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System Genomics Program and establishing a Molecular Consortium between the College of Medicine Dept. of Pathology, CAVHS, and Arkansas Children’s Hospital to foster collaboration on testing and samples is also ongoing