Curiosity In Action: Exploring Research At The U of AR I3R

Tours & Day Trips | Registration opens Sunday, August 16, 2026 2:00 PM

481 S. Shiloh Drive Fayetteville, AR 72704 United States
Training Room, 159
Monday, October 19, 2026 (one day)
9:30 AM-12:30 PM on Mon
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$44.00
$29.00

Curiosity In Action: Exploring Research At The U of AR I3R

Tours & Day Trips | Registration opens Sunday, August 16, 2026 2:00 PM

Step inside one of the University of Arkansas’s most innovative research environments and explore how interdisciplinary science and technology are shaping the future. During this behind-the-scenes visit to the Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research (I3R), participants will learn how researchers from multiple fields collaborate to solve real-world challenges in areas such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and human-centered technologies. The program will include an introduction to the institute’s mission, guided tours of select spaces, and demonstrations that showcase how ideas move from discovery to implementation.

Visiting as part of an OLLI program offers a unique opportunity to experience these facilities with expert guidance, gain context about the research being conducted, and ask questions directly to those working at the forefront of innovation -- access that is not typically available through a stand-alone visit. The program, which will be led by I3R researchers, will provide first-hand accounts of how interdisciplinary teamwork can deliver solutions to ‘wicked’ problems.

Whether you are curious about emerging technologies or enjoy learning how research impacts everyday life, this visit will offer an engaging look at innovation in action in our region.

The group will meet at a designated location, with transportation to campus provided. Tour time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. Activity Level: 1

  • This program will meet in person at OLLI Headquarters (HQ), located at 481 S. Shiloh Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72704. We will load the bus/shuttle and transport everyone to campus.

    Please read your class reminder email for the exact room location.

    Class changes occasionally happen; please watch for (and read) announcements or emails from OLLI regarding your class.

    Click on the link below for a Google map shot of our meeting location:

    OLLI HQ

    Destination Location:

    I3R (793 W. Dickson)

     

James Abbas

Dr. Abbas is a Professor in the Department of Biomedical
Engineering and the Institute for Integrative and Innovative
Research (I3R) at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and
has an affiliate position in the Department of Neurosurgery at
the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. His research
program aims to improve health by increasing access to health
technologies by those with the greatest needs. A major focus
has been to apply neural engineering techniques to develop
technologies for use by people with disabilities. This work is
highly translational and includes the design and development of
neurotechnology, the development and use of computational
models, and experimental evaluation of neurotechnology and
rehabilitation systems in human subjects. Dr. Abbas is a Senior
Member of the National Academy of Inventors and of the
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Currently, he
serves on the Editorial Boards of the Journal of
Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation and Frontiers in
Neuroengineering, is an Associate Editor for the IEEE EMBS
and Neural Engineering Conferences and is a member of the
Steering Committee for the Data Resource Center of the NIH
SPARC Initiative. He received his B.S. in bioelectrical
engineering from Brown University and then taught secondary
school mathematics and worked on public health projects in
Malawi as a US Peace Corps volunteer. He received the M.S.
and Ph.D. degrees in biomedical engineering from Case
Western Reserve University and completed a post-doctoral
fellowship at the Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.