Mohsen Bazargan, Ph.D., Distinguished Medical Sociologist, Joins I³R Faculty

The Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research (I³R) at the University of Arkansas is proud to announce that Dr. Mohsen Bazargan, an accomplished medical sociologist, has joined I³R as a Research Professor. 

Dr. Bazargan joins the U of A and I³R from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) in Los Angeles, California, where he has served as professor, vice chair for research in the Department of Family Medicine and president of the Academic Senate and has held an adjunct professorship at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) David Geffen School of Medicine.

A recognized leader in public health access and community-based interventions, Dr. Bazargan will provide sociological expertise to the institute's well-health initiatives. "We are delighted to welcome Dr. Bazargan to the University of Arkansas and the Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research," said Dr. Ranu Jung, I³R founding executive director, associate vice chancellor and Distinguished Professor of biomedical engineering. "His deep expertise in medical sociology, aging, research methodology, evaluation and statistics, paired with the unique expertise of our faculty and maternal health coalition partners, strengthens the institute's efforts to address 'wicked' problems like Arkansas' maternal health disparities and our initiative to empower improved health outcomes for families."

Arkansas has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation, requiring evidence-based solutions to address systemic barriers. In 2024, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders formed the Strategic Committee for Maternal Health, which recommended exploring technologies and expanding telehealth and mobile health options. In February 2025, Gov. Sanders took legislative action, announcing the Health Moms, Healthy Babies Act to improve maternal health in the state. 

Over the past three decades, Dr. Bazargan's research has focused on enhancing health outcomes, expanding access to care and improving service delivery in hard-to-reach communities. Author of over 250 scientific papers, he has also secured funding to support his research from agencies such as the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD). 

His notable projects have included improving adherence to medication and lifestyle regimens, advancing chronic disease management among older adults with hypertension and diabetes, enhancing breast cancer screening through faith-based initiatives and addressing behavioral health risks in adolescents. Dr. Bazargan's ability to translate sociological insights into practical, community-engaged interventions will be instrumental in advancing maternal health and tackling other pressing health challenges across Arkansas.

"I'm honored to contribute to I³R's mission of advancing innovative, community-based solutions that truly make a difference in people's lives," said Dr. Bazargan. "My work has always centered on improving access to care, promoting acceptability and ensuring culturally appropriate approaches by engaging communities to address real-world challenges. I look forward to furthering that commitment as part of the University of Arkansas' land-grant mission to serve all communities."

A dedicated faculty leader, Dr. Bazargan recently completed a six-year term as a faculty trustee at CDU, where he was honored with the Recognition of Exemplary Leadership and Support by the Board of Trustees.