Director of Clinical Trial Operations: Suhail Qureshi

ACRI is pleased to welcome Suhail Qureshi, MBBS, MHA, as its new Director of Clinical Trial Operations. Suhail will be the contact for researchers planning industry-sponsored, federally funded, or internally funded clinical research. He will be responsible for overseeing operational clinical research services (feasibility, study start-up, budget development and negotiation, regulatory, clinical research coordination, research nursing and Investigational Drug Services support). Suhail’s responsibilities will also include the growth and maintenance of the clinical research infrastructure (including Clinical Trial Management System implementation and maintenance) for the organization.

Suhail has over 18 years of experience in clinical research finance administration, hospital operations, revenue cycle, and sponsored programs administration. In his career, he has also administered strategic planning activities, enhanced clinical trials activation timelines, implemented CTMS and electronic health record systems. His staff management experience includes success at MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, and Moffitt Cancer Center. Suhail is a medical graduate from King Edward Medical University in Lahore, Pakistan, and holds a Masters of Healthcare Administration degree from Walden University.

Anne McMains Appointed Manager of Research Grants and Contracts

ACRI is pleased to announce that Anne McMains has been named Manager of Research Grants and Contracts. Anne will be responsible for the preaward grants and contracts activities previously managed by Phaedra Yount.

Anne effectively served as Grant Development Specialist at ACRI for the past 9 years. In her new position, Anne will be the primary contact for ACRI researchers planning grant and contract applications or subaward agreements regarding federal agency, small agency, and professional organization research funding opportunities. She will manage the activities of ACRI’s Grant Development Specialist, Pre-Award Coordinator, and Science Writer/Editor.

Anne has been with Arkansas Children’s for 18 years. Prior to coming to ACRI in 2013, she was at the Arkansas Children’s Foundation as a development officer, working with donors and supporting philanthropic activities. She graduated from the Master of Public Administration degree program at Arkansas State University and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Lambuth University. She is credentialed as a Certified Research Administrator by the Research Administrators Certification Council.

Please join us in congratulating Anne on this new leadership role. We are confident she will do an excellent job.

March ACRI Research Seminar Series to Feature Shahryar Chowdhury, MD, MSCR

ACRI welcomes Shahryar Chowdhury, MD, MSCR, to speak at the next ACRI Research Seminar at noon on Tuesday, March 7, in the Charlie Whiteside Boardroom (also available via Zoom). Dr. Chowdhury’s presentation, “Single Right Ventricle Heart Failure: Uncovering Novel Phenotypes Utilizing Non-invasive Pressure-Volume Loop Analysis” will present study results regarding the utility of non-invasive imaging in identifying novel heart failure phenotypes in children born with some of the most severe congenital heart disease. Dr. Chowdhury is a faculty candidate for Associate Professor, Cardiovascular Research, Arkansas Children’s Heart Institute. He is a pediatric cardiologist with clinical expertise in pediatric cardiac non-invasive imaging, and his research interests focus on the assessment of cardiac mechanics in children with congenital heart disease and the development and assessment of non-invasive tools in making such assessments. Read more.

Call for Pre-applications: Center of Biological Research Excellence (COBRE)

As ACRI can submit only one Center of Biological Research Excellence (COBRE) application to NIH in January 2024, we are accepting pre-applications from persons eligible as Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) seeking to propose, develop, and establish a COBRE at ACRI. Multiple PDs/PIs are allowed. Please carefully review the RFA and consider submitting a pre-application by April 28, 2023, if you are interested in pursuing this opportunity.

Welcome to ACRI

Amy Jones

Research Support Specialist

Amanda Stapleton

Education Coordinator

Research Safety Announcement

Do you need Research Safety Protocol?

Is your study or research a chart review or survey only? No, then you need a Research Safety Protocol (RSP). The new AC RSP system will be rolling out this year. If you have a continuing review or current IBC protocol, please be on the lookout for an e-mail from Kikumi Ono-Moore on how to transition to the new system. If you need to submit an IBC (Safety) protocol, please contact Kikumi Ono-Moore.

Milestone Anniversary: Phaedra Yount - 20 Years of Service

Phaedra Yount joined ACRI’s research administrative team in 2002 as the institute’s first science writer. As the research enterprise grew and the institute expanded the support services offered to its researchers, Phaedra moved to a leadership role where she led the proposal development team and oversaw ACRI communications for 17 years. Recently Phaedra was promoted to ACRI’s Vice President of Administration and Facilities where she now oversees the activities of the Facilities, Regulatory Compliance, Grants and Contracts, and Contract Attorney teams. She also oversees the ACRI budgeting process, faculty researcher recruitment and retention, and collaborative interactions with the Arkansas Children’s Foundation. Phaedra notes that what she enjoys most about her job is being surrounded by so many great people who have made it their life’s work making the lives of children better.

Pi Day Contest

The ACRI Research Engagement Activity Committee is hosting a Pi Day Contest on Tuesday, March 14, at 12 pm in the 4th Floor Conference Room. Bring your best pie or other sweet treats. Judging categories include Best Tasting, Most Creative, Best Appearance, and Healthiest. Click on the image for more information. Winners will be announced at the March REAC meeting on Friday, March 17.

Did You Know?

The ACRI Human Research Protections Program sponsors Research Ed 1.0, a full-day training, designed for those involved in the conduct of human subject research as investigators or staff with less than 2 years’ experience (or those with more experience who would like a basic skills refresher). These classes explore the conduct of pediatric human research studies from study start up to close out. Many reference materials and useful tools will be provided to participants. You can register via ACU (internal link) for the next session to be held on Thursday, March 30, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Schedule of presentations. Contact Erica Howard-Dunn for more information.

Upcoming Events and Presentations

CCOP Metabolism and Bioenergetics Core Weekly Seminars

“Quantifying Lipid Metabolism: Considerations and Applications”

Wednesday, March 8, 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm, via Zoom. Register here. See the full seminar schedule.

Department of Dietetics and Nutrition Seminar Series

“Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance: Illustrated by The POUNDS Lost Trial”

George Bray, MD, Louisiana State University Medical Center

Thursday, March 9, 4 pm to 5 pm, via Zoom. Register here.

ACNC Distinguished Speaker Seminar Series

“Placental epigenomics as a window into prenatal exposures and neonatal health”

Todd Everson, PhD, MPH, Emory University

Friday, March 10, 12 pm to 1 pm, Brandon Auditorium

UAMS Division of Research and Innovation Research Academy

“MUSE Animal Ops and the Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DLAM)”

Christy Simecka, DVM

Tuesday, March 14, 12 pm to 1 pm, via Zoom.

March ACRI Town Hall Meeting

The next ACRI Town Hall will be held on Wednesday, March 15, at noon, via Zoom.

See a full schedule of research events and presentations

Funding Opportunities

TRI Health Sciences Innovation and Entrepreneurship Postdoctoral Scholars

The Translational Research Institute has extended the application deadline for the 2023 TL1 Health Sciences Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program, which includes two years of funding and other support for postdoctoral fellows, to March 17. View the Request for Applications. Contact: Pam Kahler.

Upcoming Funding Opportunities