The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Translational Research Institute (TRI) was established in 2009 with funding from a Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) at the National Institutes of Health.
TRI supports novel research that addresses significant health challenges in Arkansas, such as high blood pressure, pain management, diabetes and obesity, substance abuse, mental health and rare diseases. It is also expanding opportunities for UAMS researchers to participate in multisite clinical trials, including collaborative research with other CTSA-funded centers. With a strong focus on rural health challenges, TRI is also prioritizing health equity research.
Partner Institutions: Arkansas Children’s Research Institute (ACRI) and Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS)
Leadership:
Principal Investigator: Laura James, M.D., Director
Administrative Lead: Christi Madden, MPA, Executive Director
Pilot Administration:
Paul Duguid, MPH, Director of Research Programs
Hailey Rogers, MHA, Project Manager
Contact: TRI@uams.edu
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K12 Mentored Research Career Development Scholar Awards
Health Sciences Innovation and Entrepreneurship (HSIE) Training Program for Postdoctoral Fellows (T32 Training Program)
Implementation Science (IS) Scholars Program
Path 2 K and Path 2 R Programs
Master’s Program in Clinical and Translational Sciences (MS-CTS)
Strategies for Training and Advancing under-represented Researchers – STARs
TRI Translational Research Innovations and Partners (TRIP) Program
Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) Training
Mock Study Sections
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Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design (BERD) Unit
Career Development and Productivity Core
Clinical Trials Innovation Unit
Complex Analytical Laboratory Core
Community and Stakeholder Engagement Core
Comprehensive Informatics Resource Core (CIRC)
PCORnet Core Services
UAMS Rural Research Network
ARresearch Registry
Center for Health Literacy
UAMS Profiles
Translational Science in Action:
Evaluating Pulse Oximeter Accuracy
in Neonates With Darker Skin Tones
» Translational Research Barrier: Pulse oximeters may provide inaccurate oxygen saturation readings in melanin-rich neonates, potentially delaying treatment and increasing risk of harm. This longstanding issue in clinical device performance has not been adequately addressed in neonatal populations.
» Translational Science Innovation: The project uses objective, quantifiable skin pigmentation data obtained through colorimetry to assess pulse oximeter performance across neonatal populations with varying skin tones. It also links neonatal care and device engineering with the potential to refine or redesign pulse oximeters for better accuracy across skin tones.
Megha Sharma, M.D.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)
Associate Professor, College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatology
» Benefit / Generalizability: Addresses a critical health issue by improving the accuracy of widely used monitoring technology. Could also inform improvements in device calibration for adults and older children and serve as a model for evaluating inaccuracies in other diagnostic tools. The methodology and implementation strategies are generalizable across institutions and patient populations.
» Publication: Sharma, M. (2025). Objective Assessment and Quantification of Skin Color and Melanin in Neonates and Infants: A State-Of-The-Art Review. Pediatric Dermatology.
