LITTLE ROCK — University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) researcher Antiño R. Allen, Ph.D., is the 2023 recipient of the Michael Fry Award from the Radiation Research Society.

The Michael Fry Award recognizes an individual early in their career who has made significant contributions in one or more areas of radiation research.

Allen, an associate professor in the College of Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences who was recently named an Arkansas Research Alliance Fellow, has led research showing that radiation exposure in spaceflight is associated with memory loss.

“Our work has shown that exposure to simulated space radiation results in object and short-term spatial memory deficits nine months after exposure,” Allen said.

Object memory is a type of working memory of things or objects. Spatial memory is related to the brain’s ability to store and retrieve information to plan a travel route and recall the location of an object or an event.

“We have also seen gender differences depending on the radiation type where males’ brains are more sensitive compared to females,” he said.

Allen is also associate dean of pipeline and career development for the UAMS Graduate School, associate director of diversity initiatives at the UAMS Translational Research Institute and graduate program director for the College of Pharmacy.

Cindy D. Stowe, Pharm.D., dean of the College of Pharmacy, said the award is well deserved. 

“Dr. Allen is among UAMS’ best and brightest researchers who is producing meaningful discoveries in the important field of radiation science,” Stowe said. “We are thrilled to see him honored with this prestigious award.”

Allen will receive the award at the International Congress for Radiation Research in Montréal, Quebec, Aug. 27-30.