Research

Our research department is made up of a variety of pediatric-focused centers and programs. Research (basic, clinical, and applied) is an integral part of any academic program. The department strives to provide a nurturing research environment through the development and refinement of supportive research infrastructure.

The Arkansas Children’s Research Institute (ACRI) was established to provide an on-site research environment for UAMS faculty and scientists, opening on the Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) campus in 1992. Today ACRI has more than 120 pediatric researchers with expertise and experience that span the breadth of medical disciplines. ACRI’s roster of investigators works to fulfill its mission to improve children’s health, development, and well-being through high-quality research. In fiscal year 2020, ACRI researchers received approximately $24 million in grants and contracts from federal, state, and private agencies, industry sponsors, and philanthropic donations. Over $8.8 million was from the National Institutes of Health.

Currently, ACRI operates more than 200,000 square-feet of research space. The four-story Research Institute Building is the central location of ACRI administrative offices and houses researcher offices, conference space, labs, and ACRI’s animal facility. The two-story Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center (ACNC) adjoins the south of the Research Institute Building. Opened in 1997, the ACNC houses one of six United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) National Human Nutrition Centers. The remaining ACRI research space includes the Pediatric Clinical Research Unit and the Research Pharmacy located in the main ACH hospital building. ACH also affords clinic and unit space for investigators performing their research at the main hospital building. ACRI researchers also have assigned, dedicated office, clinic, and laboratory space on the ACH campus in the Sturgis Building, Professional Building 2, and the Dennis Developmental Center.