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Translational Research Institute

Oleg Karaduta

TRI Open House ‘Eye-Opening’ for Researchers

Oleg Karaduta, M.D., visits the information booths at TRI's Open House.
Oleg Karaduta, M.D., visits the Office of Research Compliance booth at TRI’s Open House.

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.”

Kate Stewart, M.D., (left) and Rachel Hale, representing TRI's Community Engagement component, talk to visitors during the Open House.
Kate Stewart, M.D., (left) and Rachel Hale, representing TRI’s Community Engagement component, talk to visitors during the Open House.

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.

Michalina (Michelle) Kupsik, M.D., (center, white coat), and Sherry Johnson, D.O., (right) found the Open House to be helpful and timely.
Michalina (Michelle) Kupsik, M.D., (center, white coat), and Sherry Johnson, D.O., (right) found the Open House to be helpful and timely.

“Now we know!” Johnson said.