Robert Mcgehee Jr.

Robert Mcgehee Jr. is a Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics and Neonatology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine, where he also serves as Dean of the Graduate School. He holds additional appointments as Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology and Department of Physiology and Cell Biology. As Associate Fellowship Director for Neonatal/Perinatal Medicine, he mentors pediatric fellows and oversees research training programs. He co-founded UAMS's Clinical & Translational Science training infrastructure and directed the Education Core of the Translational Research Institute.

His NIH-funded research focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Key areas include:

• Adipocyte differentiation and retinoblastoma protein regulation
• Muscle-adipose tissue crosstalk in insulin resistance
• Inflammatory pathways in adipose tissue macrophages
• Pharmacological interventions (e.g., pioglitazone, omega-3 fatty acids)

His publications demonstrate consistent focus on adipogenesis, insulin signaling, and inflammation across human, murine, and cell-line models. Recent work emphasizes human translational studies on adipose tissue extracellular matrix, thermogenic gene regulation, and educational methodologies in medical training.

Major Grants:

• R25HL108825 (Co-I): Summer Undergraduate Research Program (2011-2026)
• UL1TR000039 (Co-I): Arkansas Clinical & Translational Research Center (2009-2016)
• R25GM083247 (Co-PI): Maximizing Student Development Program (2008-2024)
• R01DK071349 (PI): Mechanisms of Metabolic Syndrome in Obesity (2005-2015)

He leads collaborative labs investigating adipose-muscle macrophage interactions using Transwell co-culture systems and human tissue samples.