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We're focused on improving child health through exceptional patient care, groundbreaking research, continuing education, and outreach and prevention.

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Arkansas Children's provides right-sized care for your child. U.S. News & World Report has ranked Arkansas Children's in seven specialties for 2025-2026.

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Transforming discovery to care.
Our researchers are driven by their limitless curiosity to discover new and better ways to make these children better today and healthier tomorrow.

We're focused on improving child health through exceptional patient care, groundbreaking research, continuing education, and outreach and prevention.

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When you give to Arkansas Children's, you help deliver on our promise of a better today and a healthier tomorrow for the children of Arkansas and beyond

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Learn How We Transform Discovery to Care
Scientific discoveries lead us to new and better ways to care for children.

Learn How We Transform Discovery to Care
Scientific discoveries lead us to new and better ways to care for children.

Learn How We Transform Discovery to Care
Scientific discoveries lead us to new and better ways to care for children.

Learn How We Transform Discovery to Care
Scientific discoveries lead us to new and better ways to care for children.

Learn How We Transform Discovery to Care
Scientific discoveries lead us to new and better ways to care for children.

Learn How We Transform Discovery to Care
Scientific discoveries lead us to new and better ways to care for children.

When you give to Arkansas Children’s, you help deliver on our promise of a better today and a healthier tomorrow for the children of Arkansas and beyond.

Your volunteer efforts are very important to Arkansas Children's. Consider additional ways to help our patients and families.

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There are many ways to get involved to champion children statewide.

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Arkansas Children's Hospital
General Information 501-364-1100
Arkansas Children's Northwest
General Information 479-725-6800

Center for Childhood Obesity Prevention Members
Members of the Center for Childhood Obesity Prevention include the Leadership Team, External Advisory Committee, Internal Advisory Committee, Mentors and Investigators. These groups work together to develop the research infrastructure for the Center for Childhood Obesity Prevention.
The Leadership Team is comprised of the faculty and staff who manage the work of the three cores: the Administrative and Scientific Support Core, the Biostatistics and Informatics Core and the Metabolism Core.
The Leadership Team works together to provide services and support to junior faculty including but not limited to:
- Reviewing and critiquing all project proposals
- Grant formatting and writing assistance
- IRB, CT.gov, and other regulatory guidance
- Community engagement
- Senior mentoring
- Development of junior investigators
Administrative Core
Judith L. Weber, PhD, RDPI / Director, Center for Childhood Obesity Prevention
Director, Administrative Core
Associate Dean and Professor, College of Nursing
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Linda Larson-Prior, PhD
Associate Center Director, Center for Childhood Obesity Prevention
Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology, Biomedical Informatics,
and Neurobiology & Developmental Science
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Director, Neurocognitive Dynamics Laboratory
Director, ACNC Brain Function Laboratory
Jami Jones, MBA
Research Program Director, Center for Childhood Obesity Prevention
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Metabolism and Bioenergetics Core
Elisabet Børsheim, PhD
Director, CCOP Metabolism and Bioenergetics Core
Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Department of Geriatrics
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Co-interim Director, Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center
Director, Physical Activity, Energetics & Metabolism Research Lab
Craig Porter, PhD
Associate Core Director, CCOP Metabolism and Bioenergetics Core
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Biostatistics Core
Paula Roberson, PhD
Director, CCOP Biostatistics Core
Professor and Chair, Department of Biostatistics
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Reid Landes, PhD
Associate Core Director, CCOP Biostatistics Core
Associate Professor, Department of Biostatistics
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Community Engagement Core
Kate Stewart, MD, MPH
Director, CCOP Community Engagement Core*
Professor, Department of Health Policy & Management
Director, Office of Community Based Public Health
Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health
Director, Community Engagement Translational Research Institute
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Emily English, DrPH
Associate Core Director, CCOP Community Engagement Core*
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, UAMS
Office of Community Health and Research, UAMS NW
Other Leadership Personnel
Jon Oden, MD
Medical Director, Center for Childhood Obesity Prevention
James H. Hamlen II Endowed Chair in Pediatric Endocrinology
Professor Pediatric Endocrinology
Section Chief of Endocrinology
Department of Pediatrics,
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Jonathan C. Hilpert, PhD
CCOP Evaluation Director
Associate Professor of Learning Analytics
Educational Psychology and Higher Education
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Kevin Fitzpatrick, PhD
CCOP Northwest Arkansas Research Director
Professor and Jones Chair in Community,
Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice,
University of Arkansas
*Indicates new position contingent upon COBRE Phase 2 funding.
The External Advisory Committee (EAC) provides unbiased external oversight for the overall Center and the progress of the individual junior investigators. The EAC consists of four nationally recognized scientists with expertise in the causes and consequences of childhood obesity and its comorbidities, childhood obesity prevention intervention strategies, community-based research strategies, statistical consideration of longitudinal datasets, and the operational management of academic health centers. The EAC is responsible for critiquing the scientific progress of the Center, and providing advice and guidance to Dr. Weber and the core directors.
As part of this responsibility, the EAC meets twice per year and looks at the following:
- Reviews and critiques the junior investigator career development program
- Encourages and assists with faculty development and mentoring
- Evaluates the progress of each primary and pipeline junior investigator project
- Advises Center leaders in evaluating the development and progress of the Center
- Helps identify resources for sustainability of Center operations and scientific impact
CCOP External Advisory Committee Chair
Bob and Charlee Moore Endowed Professor
Director, Alaska Native Health Research
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Center for Developmental Health, Knight Cardiovascular Institute
Oregon Health & Science University
https://www.ohsu.edu/people/bert-boyer-phd
Joel Gittelsohn, PhD, MSc
Director of Community Interventions
Professor, Department of International Health, Center for Human Nutrition
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
http://www.jhsph.edu/faculty/directory/profile/263/joel-gittelsohn
Alice Ammerman, DrPH, RD
Director, Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Professor, Department of Nutrition,
Gillings School of Global Public Health, School of Medicine
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
http://hpdp.unc.edu/research/research-fellows-program/hpdp-research-fellows/alice-ammerman/
Keith A. Joiner, MD, MPH
Professor of Medicine, Economics and Health Promotion Sciences
Eller College of Management
University of Arizona
https://econ.arizona.edu/people/keith-joiner
The Internal Advisory Committee (IAC) includes senior level administrative and research faculty from ACRI and UAMS, all of whom have demonstrated excellence in their respective fields. The IAC provides internal institutional advice and guidance for Overall Center operations as well as the development and mentoring of the junior investigators by:
- Evaluating the progress of the individual research projects and the progress of the junior investigators towards acquiring extramural funding and independent program status
- Reviewing and scoring primary, pilot and affiliated study proposals submitted by junior faculty across campuses
- Evaluating the development of the Center and assisting in identifying resources in support of the Center
- Participate in semi-annual meetings with the External Advisory Committee
Larry Cornett, PhD
Director, Arkansas INBRE
Professor, Department of Physiology & Biophysics
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Clint Kilts, PhD
Wilbur Mills Professor
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Director, Brain Imaging Research Center
Psychiatric Research Institute
Mark Smeltzer, PhD
Director, Center for Microbial Pathogenesis & Host Inflammatory Responses
Professor, Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Pearl McElfish, PhD, MBA, MS, PMP
Director, Office of Community Health and Research
Vice Chancellor
– Northwest Arkansas Campus
Joseph Thompson, MD, MPH
President and CEO, Arkansas Center for Health Improvement
Professor
Dept. of Pediatrics, College of Medicine
Dept. of Health Policy & Management, College of Public Health
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Namvar Zohoori, MD, MPH, PhD
Chief Science Officer and Deputy State Health Official
Arkansas Department of Health
Adjunct Professor, College of Public Health
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Center mentors include both internal and external senior level administrative and research faculty, all of whom have demonstrated excellence in their respective fields. The mentors provide project specific guidance on, the development and progress of the junior investigator research projects by:
- Meeting with the junior investigators to discuss the following:
- subject enrollment
- issues (including budget)/barriers; potential solutions
- accomplishments
- recommendations and goals for the next quarter
- Connecting junior investigators with potential collaborators, consultants, and opportunities to enhance their research
- Meeting quarterly or as needed with Dr. Weber to discuss the project’s progress
- Attending Work-in-Progress meetings, monthly training sessions and external advisory committee meeting
Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center
Geoffrey Curran, PhD
Professor, Departments of Pharmacy Practice and Psychiatry
Director, Center for Implementation Research, UAMS
Research Health Scientist, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System
Jonathan Dranoff, MD
Jerome S. Levy Professor of Medicine
Director, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, UAMS
Chief, Gastroenterology Service, Central Arkansas VAMC
Kevin Fitzpatrick, PhD
Professor and Jones Chair in Community,
Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice,
University of Arkansas
Lee Ann MacMillan-Crow, PhD
Professor and Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program Director
Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, UAMS
Ashlea Milburn, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Industrial Engineering
University of Arkansas
Tamara Perry, MD
Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Medical Director of Telemedicine, Arkansas Children’s Hospital
UAMS
Roy Morello, PhD
Associate Professor
Genetics, College of Medicine
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Sean Adams, MS, PhD
Professor and Vice Chair for Basic Research
Department of Surgery
UC Davis Health
Research Project Leaders
Shannon Rose, PhDAssistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Current Project Title: “T cells in Childhood Obesity: Immunometabolic Phenotype and Effects of Metformin”
Taren Swindle, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine
College of Medicine
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Current Project Title: “Adaptive Implementation & Costs of Obesity Prevention in Early Care and Education”
Emir Tas, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Current Project Title: “Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training in Adolescents with NAFLD”
Pilot Study Investigators
Emily English, DrPH
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Office of Community Health and Research
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Northwest Regional Campus
Current Project Title: “Characterizing Farm to School in Preschool Settings: Farm to Early Care and Education”
Craig Porter, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Current Project Titles:
- (CCOP Pilot) Targeting Mitochondrial Efficiency as a Countermeasure for Obesity
- (CCOP/ABI Pilot) Development of a Model of Protonophore-Induced Hypermetabolism in Mice Acclimated to Thermoneutrality
Britni Ayers, PhD
Assistant Professor
Office of Community Health and Research
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Northwest Regional Campus
Current Project Titles:
- (Pilot #1) Barriers and Facilitators of Exclusive Breastfeeding in a Marshallese Community
- (Pilot #2) Exploring the Feasibility of a Group Prenatal Program among Marshallese Women
Erhan Ararat, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Current Project Title: (CCOP/ABI Pilot) Metformin effect on asthma control in overweight/obese children with asthma
Eva Diaz, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Current Project Title: Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of blueberry phenolic and blueberry volatile compounds on stimulated macrophages
Umesh Wankhade, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Current Project Title: Parental influence on programming of adipose tissue in offspring
Past Investigators:
Research Project Leaders:
Jamie Baum, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Nutrition
University of Arkansas
Project Title: "Breakfast, Energy Metabolism, and Skeletal Muscle Health in Children”
Eugenia Carvalho, PhD, MSc
Instructor
Department of Geriatrics, College of Medicine
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Project Title: "Assessment of Oxidative Capacity in Obese Children"
Mike Thomsen, PhD
Professor
Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness
University of Arkansas
Project Title: "Informing Policies to Address Childhood Obesity: A Systems Approach"
Pilot Study Investigators:
Eva Diaz, MD, MScAssistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Project Title: "Probiotic Supplementation in Obese Pregnant Women – A Feasibility Study"
Erin Kaye Howie Hickey, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Health, Human Performance, & Recreation
University of Arkansas
Project Title: "Activity Phenotypes in Pregnancy, Childhood and Associations with Child Obesity"
Keshari Thakali, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Project Title: "Determining the Effect of Maternal Obesity on Offspring Cardiovascular Health"
Chris Long, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Northwest Arkansas Regional Campus
Project Title: "Relating Families’ History of Food Pantry Use to Children’s Obesity Status"