Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance Honors UAMS Professor Michael Thomsen

“I felt special to receive the recognition,” Michael Thomsen, Ph.D., said, though he noted the honor is directly linked to the many people he works with at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance named Thomsen as one of its 2026 Acting Out Against Hunger honorees, UAMS News reported on November 10, 2026.

Thomsen is a professor in the UAMS Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health and serves as the director of the college’s Center for the Study of Obesity.

His work focuses on addressing the public health challenges stemming from food insecurity within the state.

Arkansas faces a specific paradox regarding its food supply and the health of its residents.

While the state is known for its agricultural production, many residents struggle to access nutritious food.

“One in five Arkansans experience food insecurity, despite the agricultural abundance of our state,” Thomsen said.

This lack of access creates a direct pathway to chronic health issues.

Thomsen noted that those experiencing food insecurity face a much higher risk for diet-related chronic diseases.

The research conducted by Thomsen and his team aims to provide the data necessary for state decision-makers to address these disparities.

“Our research program uses Arkansas data to understand the benefits for better access to nutrition,” he said.

“I think this is important for those making decisions here in our state. The findings from our program directly show what can happen here in Arkansas.”

Thomsen leads a team of students, staff, and fellow UAMS faculty to execute statewide research projects.

These initiatives are designed to bridge the gap between academic research and practical, real-world application.

Current projects managed by his team include:

Access to an Affordable and Healthy Diet
The Green Schoolyard Study
School nutrition programs
HOPE (Healthy Outcomes through Produce Prescriptions and Education) for Cancer

The HOPE project, specifically, focuses on using produce prescriptions to improve health outcomes.

Thomsen also highlighted the value of collaborating with advocacy groups to ensure research remains relevant to the community’s needs.

He credited the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance as a vital partner and a source of research ideas.

Thomsen mentioned participating in alliance-led networks, such as the No Kid Hungry campaign, which helped improve the relevance of the work being conducted at UAMS.

The mission of the Center for the Study of Obesity involves preventing and reducing obesity through projects that inform policy and enable healthy lifestyles.

During the organization’s awards breakfast, Thomsen attributed the center’s ability to fulfill this mission to the cooperation of Arkansans and the dedication of his team.