If you missed the ‘Revised Common Rule Overview,’ you can now view a recording of the Oct. 30 presentation by UAMS IRB Director Jennifer Holland, J.D., and IRB Program Manager Edith Paal, M.S.Journ., MPH. View it on UAMS Blackboard Collaborate.
Newsroom
Digital Health Conference Nov. 30
UAMS’ first Digital Health Conference will be Friday, Nov. 30, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., at Reynolds Institute on Aging. View the agenda. There is no charge for attendance but you must register. Space is limited, so Register Now.
Hear from leaders in the field how emerging digital technologies, such as mobile apps, wearable biomonitors, predictive analytics and artificial intelligence, are transforming health care.
Question? Contact: Anita Walden, acwalden@uams.edu, or Aaron Kemp, ASKemp@uams.edu.
The conference is sponsored by the Office of Interprofessional Education, with support from the South Central Telehealth Resource Center and the Translational Research Institute (TRI).
UAMS Staff Recognized by International Group for Research Education Efforts
For a record seventh year in a row, the Arkansas chapter of the international Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA) has been recognized for ensuring the highest quality research by providing the most continuing education hours of any chapter. The annual Chapter Chairperson Recognition Award was presented to Carrie Chiaro, M.P.H., C.C.R.P., from the UAMS Office of Research Compliance, who co-chairs the SOCRA chapter with Melisa Clark, M.S., C.C.R.P., from the UAMS Office of Research Regulatory Affairs.
The Arkansas chapter is the only one of 50+ volunteer chapters to win the award seven consecutive years.
SOCRA chapters offer no-cost clinical research continuing education to enhance research quality, to protect research participants, and to improve the health of the global community.
Also during the annual meeting in New Orleans, Amy Jo Jenkins, M.S., C.C.R.P., C.C.R.A., C.C.R.C., executive director of the UAMS Translational Research Institute, was named president-elect of the SOCRA Board of Directors. Jenkins, a past chapter chairperson, said the chapter’s continued success is due to the participation, collaboration, and common goals of the state’s research professionals.
“UAMS support, particularly from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, the Translational Research Institute, Office of Research Regulatory Affairs, and the Office of Research Compliance, has allowed the chapter to flourish over the last seven years,” Jenkins said. “While the award is technically given to one person, we know that it is our whole membership and those that support us that contribute to our success.”
The Arkansas chapter provided 15.5 continuing education credit hours from June 1, 2017, to May 31, 2018.
“The continuing education we provide ultimately improves the quality of research in our state and enhances the experience and protection of our valued participants,” Jenkins said.
The chapter also provides an avenue for career growth and development, including training and resources for new research staff and the opportunity to earn an accredited professional certification (certified clinical research professional – CCRP) that is recognized internationally by the clinical research industry as evidence of advanced competency in the profession.
The continuing education hours offered by the Arkansas SOCRA chapter also help research staff at UAMS and other sites earn or maintain their Certified Research Specialist (CRS) certification. The CRS certification program, administered by the UAMS Office of Research Compliance, ensures an understanding of, and respect for, the principles of research integrity and the protection of those who participate in research. Although the certification is not required by all departments, UAMS research employees routinely complete the 28 hours of coursework and the comprehensive CRS proficiency exam.
ARresearch ‘Kick-Starts’ Digital Health Study Enrollment
A UAMS NIH-funded digital health study needed 128 participants with mild to moderate depression. Within 10 weeks, it had 103, well ahead of schedule, said Carolyn Greene, Ph.D., who is leading the study. TRI’s ARresearch registry of volunteers, she said, has provided about 20 participants.
“That was a good way for us to kick-start this study,” said Greene, associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Division of Health Services Research.
Greene’s study is targeting UAMS primary care patients with untreated depression. She said finding such patients for her study is difficult because they may not be coming in for regular doctor visits, or may not feel comfortable discussing their mental health with their doctors.
“That’s where the ARresearch database was extremely helpful to us,” she said.
Greene, who is also the national manager of Mental Health Web Services at the Department of Veterans Affairs, said the study is conducted online or over the phone, from screening to receipt of a gift card for participants.
For eight weeks, a coach will help patients with downloading and using a portfolio of mobile apps, and provide encouragement.
The apps use evidence-based cognitive behavioral tools and have shown that they can help significantly reduce depression. Greene’s study will address how the apps, combined with a coach, could fit into UAMS’ system of care.
“The goal isn’t for the coach to replace a therapist, but to help them use the apps to learn skills and tools to become their own therapist,” Greene said.
The study includes gathering input from clinicians and administrators.
“Our goal is to solve a problem for the primary care clinics, which have many patients with mild to moderate depression but not a lot of resources to provide interventions,” she said.
The October TRIbune Is Out!
In this month’s TRIbune we’re highlighting digital health research successes. For Tamara Perry, M.D., years of dedication developing an asthma application to help teens got a big shot in the arm with a $3.1 million NIH grant. Her app will be tested with 400 asthma patients over the next five years. Perry used data and a prototype app developed with a TRI pilot award and a follow-up pilot from Arkansas Children’s Research Institute to help secure the NIH funding. Carolyn Greene, Ph.D., said TRI’s ARresearch registry of volunteers was a great way to kick-start enrollment for her digital health study seeking participants with depression. This issue also announces UAMS’ first Digital Health Conference on Nov. 30. Our Research on the Horizon features Rohit Dhall, M.D., who is the local principal investigator on an industry-sponsored Parkinson’s disease study. As always, we feature the latest TRI-cited publications.
Read the October TRIbune.
TRI Open House ‘Eye-Opening’ for Researchers
Oleg Karaduta, M.D., made the rounds at TRI’s recent Open House, loading his bag with information cards, brochures and flyers from the 26 research services being promoted. While many are relevant to his work, the Mock Study Section/Grant Review program really caught his eye.
“I am planning to submit a grant application in a couple of months, so the Mock Study Section will be really useful for me,” said Karaduta, a post-doctoral fellow, referring to his NIH R00 Pathway to Independence application.
TRI’s Mock Study Section/Grant Review program assembles experienced NIH-funded researchers to review applications at no cost.
The Aug. 28 Open House, held for a second year, this time included representatives from the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Arkansas Children’s Research Institute, UAMS IRB and Research Pharmacy.
Among the nearly 100 attendees was Jonathan Laryea, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Surgery. “I know about some of the services, but having everything together in one place is very helpful,” Laryea said. “I think it’s eye opening.”
Leah Dawson, Ph.D., said in an email she was familiar with TRI but didn’t fully appreciate its scope until the Open House.
“Visually it provided a picture of how far reaching TRI is on our campus by the sheer number of people and departments that were involved,” said Dawson, associate director of Clinical Trials at the Data Coordinating and Operations Center of the IDeA States Pediatric Network, UAMS College of Medicine. “I think TRI provides a common atmosphere for researchers to come together, which only betters the university and the research programs on campus.”
Dawson said she made it a point to talk to TRI’s Community Engagement Team to catch up on their activities. “I think they are a great asset to our university system and state,” she said.
Two breast cancer fellows, Sherry Johnson, D.O., and Michalina (Michelle) Kupsik, M.D., said the timing for the Open House couldn’t have been better. They were due to report on their research project plans the day after the Open House but still needed key information.
Helpful guidance came from the Arkansas Clinical Data Repository table with information about accessing de-identified UAMS clinical data. “We knew our clinical question but we didn’t know how we were going to get the data,” Kupsik said.
“Now we know!” Johnson said.
TRI Implementation Science Visiting Lecturer
Anne Sales, Ph.D., R.N., from the University of Michigan, will present “Frameworks to Strategies: Designing Implementation Interventions” on Thursday, Sept. 27, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m., Rahn Building, 8/240.
She will discuss current issues in implementation science, including types and uses of implementation research frameworks, strategies, and interventions. She will discuss how these can be used in conducting implementation research studies.
The lecture at UAMS will be available via interactive video network at the UAMS Northwest Campus, second floor conference room, H07, and Arkansas Children’s Research Institute, Room R3026-1.
September TRIbune
In this issue of The TRIbune, we highlight the work of Dr. Prasad Padala, M.D., whose TRI pilot award helped him acquire a $1.1 million VA grant. Padala is conducting an exciting study using magnetic stimulation of the brain (rTMS) to help delay the onset of dementia.
TRI Director Laura James, M.D., reminds researchers of the newest pilot opportunity for opioid addiction and pain management research. The call for applications was issued Monday (see announcement below).
We had a great turnout for our second Open House and have included the comments of a few attendees. We also highlight a study by Erika Petersen, M.D., of a spinal cord stimulation device to treat neuropathic pain. And as always, we include the publication citations of studies that have utilized TRI services or support.
Read The TRIbune.
Call for Pilot Awards to Address Opioid Addiction and Pain Management
Researchers are encouraged to apply for pilot study awards being offered for opioid addiction and pain management research. Funded by UAMS, one-year awards of $25,000 will be available for studies that can produce data to support applications for larger extramural awards. Letters of intent (LOI) are due Oct. 8, 2018, by noon. View the Letter of Intent cover page.
Multidisciplinary teams will be given priority. Any UAMS faculty, including at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Research Institute, and the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, are invited to apply. View the Request for Applications (RFA) LOI document.
Contact: Nia Indelicato, NLIndelicato@uams.edu, or 501-526-0363.
Key Dates:
- RFA released: Sept 10
- Letter of Intent due: Oct. 8, by noon
- Full applications invited: Oct. 12
- TRI/Biostatistics consultations: Oct. 15 – 26
- Proof of IRB submission due: Oct. 29, by noon (include in application)
- Application due: Oct. 29, by noon
- Videos due: Nov. 5
- Awardees announcement: Dec. 10
- Start date: Jan. 1, 2019
UAMS Employees, It’s Time to Nominate Your Community Partners!
UAMS faculty and staff, here’s your chance to have UAMS recognize the work of your community partners! The Translational Research Institute (TRI) will host its sixth annual UAMS Community Partner Celebration on Nov. 16, 2018. This celebration recognizes the outstanding community partners that have helped make our various endeavors possible, whether it involves research, education and training, or services. The deadline for nominations is Friday, Oct. 5, 2018.
Please click the corresponding link(s) below to nominate your community partner!
The categories are:
- Community Partnership Student Award: Recognizes an undergraduate student, graduate/medical student, resident, or fellow who demonstrate initiative, commitment, and passion in an academic-community partnership project aimed at improving the health of children, adults and/or communities.
- Institutional Health Partner Award: Recognizes an institutional partner (non-community based organization) that has provided invaluable expertise, guidance, and/or support to you on various projects.
- Community-Based Organization of the Year Award: Recognizes a community-based organization that has provided invaluable expertise, guidance, and/or support to you on a project.
- Community Advisory Board of the Year Award: Recognizes a community advisory board that has provided invaluable expertise, guidance, and/or support to you on a project.
- Chancellor’s Community Research Partner Award: Recognizes an outstanding community-based organization that has participated in health research.
Click the corresponding link(s) above to nominate your community partner.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Submit outstanding community based organizations (CBOs), community advisory boards (CABs), students and institutional partners that have provided invaluable expertise, guidance, and/or support to you on various projects. Patient advisory boards and councils will also be accepted.
- Nonprofit CBOs that work with “groups of people affiliated by geographic proximity, special interest, or similar situations to address the well-being of those communities” will be recognized at this event.
- CABs consist of community representatives who advise institutional representatives on issues that affect the public.
- Institutional partners are defined as non-community based organizations such as state agencies, foundations, and other private organizations.
Only individuals from UAMS, ACH/ACHRI, and the VA are eligible to submit organizations for recognition.
How this works:
- Submit you nomination by the submission deadline via the REDCap link above. Please contact the TRI CE team with any questions or if you need technical assistance.
- Award nominees will be reviewed by impartial 3rd party reviewers.
- Award winner will be recognized and announced at the Community Partner Celebration on November 16, 2018.
- Additionally, the CE team will contact all nominees to invite them to the celebration and solicit pictures for of their organization that will be featured at the celebration.
- Individuals may submit multiple nominees and for multiple categories.
Submissions are due October 5, 2018.
For more information contact Rachel Hale at rbhale@uams.edu, 501-526-6628.