Voices For Research
Research is essential to our economy and our academic profile. Arkansas’ business and education leaders are champions for scientific discovery, understanding our future relies on innovation.
“Talent is key to future economic growth. Great talent wants to work with innovative organizations focused on solving the real problems that people, industries and society face and it’s research that fuels innovation. It’s critical to our state’s future that we have a strong advocate, like the Arkansas Research Alliance, promoting investments in research and connecting the major players in ways that advance innovation and drive growth.”
— Curtis Barnett, President & CEO, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
“The ARA/NCTR partnership benefits both the state of Arkansas and the American public. NCTR’s research collaborations with Arkansas academic institutions help to improve public health in Arkansas and the rest of America by providing research data and new technologies to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.”
— William Slikker, Director, National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR)
“Arkansas Research Alliance gives Arkansas the foundation to advance technology and knowledge through research and strategic partnerships in a way that will put our state at the forefront of economic opportunity and growth.”
— Laura Landreaux, President & CEO, Entergy Arkansas
“Intellectual capital plus opportunity naturally attracts more intellectual capital. The Arkansas Research Alliance paves the way for better futures for the people of Arkansas by attracting and retaining some of the world's best scientists.”
— Jerry Jones, EVP, Chief Ethics and Legal Officer, LiveRamp
“Our greatest achievements usually follow our greatest research, and I believe we can use data and data sciences for good and to realize a better world for us all.”
— Drew May, EVP, Wiland
“It is rewarding knowing that Arkansas is ever growing its intellectual capital and that ARA is behind that growth supporting, recruiting and developing researchers within our state.”
— Sonja Hubbard, Chair, ARA Board of Trustees
“Growth economies and healthy communities are undergirded by an active research and development sector. UA Little Rock is committed to helping Arkansas thrive through its research mission and its ongoing engagement with research partners.”
— Dr. Christina Drale, Chancellor, UA Little Rock
“The mission of a research university is not just about the dissemination of knowledge, it is also about the discovery of knowledge. The discovery enterprise at Arkansas State University is woven throughout the lives of our students, faculty, and staff members because research changes lives and it matters.”
— Dr. Kelly Damphousse, Chancellor, Arkansas State University
"As a state land-grant institution, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff has a research mission that contributes to state economic development by connecting us with communities and industry through outreach and extension.”
— Dr. Laurence Alexander, Chancellor, UAPB
“We’ve recently invested in a full time Innovation Director. His job is to foster innovation and create systems that challenge business norms in the construction industry. I fully expect that the various research and development activities at our Universities will have a tremendous impact on our innovations program”
— Charles Nabholz, Chairman Emeritus, The Nabholz Group, Inc.
“At the Arkansas Research Alliance, our core mission is to invest in innovative research and serve as a facilitator to bring scientists together from all fields and from all over the world to solve some of our greatest problems. These solutions deliver scientific breakthroughs that strengthen economic development for Arkansas and improve the quality of life for Arkansans.”
— Michelle Wolfe, Operations Lead, Supplier & Location Services, Walmart
“The Arkansas Research Alliance brings science and the Arkansas marketplace together, thereby ensuring success in the recruitment and retention of the best scientific minds for Arkansans. The results will ensure economic strength and viability for generations.”
— Ronnie Dedman, President, AT&T Arkansas
“It’s very much an honor and privilege to work with such a talented board on such a great mission. I look forward to playing a role in furthering economic opportunity for Arkansas through advancing research and technology.”
— Tracy Rosser, Executive Vice President, Operations, Transplace
“Research is at the heart of our mission at UAMS – to improve health and health care for all Arkansans. Research arms us with the knowledge to fight cancer, obesity, addiction and other serious health conditions affecting our state."
— Dr. Cam Patterson, Chancellor, UAMS
“Now, more than ever, business leaders and research stakeholders must come together to create a strong statewide ecosystem of convergence research and tech-based economic development. When we work together, we can produce profitable commercial solutions with high-social impact that improve quality of life for Arkansans and the world.”
— David Peacock, President, Hytrol
“Arkansas is on the cutting edge when it comes to introducing research initiatives that are real Difference Makers. The time is now, and the place is truly in Arkansas.”
— Tommy May, CEO, Simmons Foundation
“Research is the foundation of the start-up community, creating innovation-based jobs right here in Arkansas.”
— Randy Zook, President & CEO, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce