Robert P. Kimberly, MD, was recognized as a 2026 Fellow of ACTS
The Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS), based at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and spanning an 11-institution Partner Network across Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, is pleased to announce that Robert P. Kimberly, MD, was recognized as a 2026 Fellow of ACTS.. The Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS), a non-profit membership association of translational scientists from the nation’s leading academic medical centers, honored its Fellows at Translational Science 2026.
Kimberly serves as Senior Advisor to the CCTS and is the Howard L. Holley Chair and Professor of Medicine in the UAB Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology. A former multiple principal investigator of the CCTS, Kimberly was the architect of its regional Partner Network. His leadership helped establish the foundation for a collaborative research enterprise designed to connect investigators, research teams, institutions, and communities across Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
A Fellow of the American College of Physicians and Royal College of Physicians and a member of the Association of American Physicians and American Society for Clinical investigation, Kimberly is a physician-scientist with expertise in clinical rheumatology, immunology, and human genetics. He is internationally recognized for translational research focused on autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic vasculitis. His work has helped connect scientific discovery to clinical application, including studies on NSAID and kidney function, treatment of lupus nephritis, Cox-2 selective inhibitors, BLyS/BAFF in systemic lupus erythematosus, and the genetic architecture of immune-mediated disease.
Kimberly developed a national consortium for the study of systemic lupus erythematosus genetics, addressing the challenges of scale and analytics and contributing to more than 100 manuscripts. His research on variants of human Fc receptors has informed the targeted engineering of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, with impact across biotechnology and therapeutic development.
His national leadership includes service to the Arthritis Foundation, the Alliance for Lupus Research, the American College of Rheumatology, the Clinical Immunology Society, and the Association of American Medical Colleges GRAND Steering Committee, which he chaired in 2012. He has also served on multiple CTSA external advisory boards.
Kimberly has been deeply engaged in ACTS leadership. He served on the ACTS Board of Directors from 2015 to 2020, including as President-elect from 2017 to 2018, President from 2018 to 2019, and Past President from 2019 to 2020. He has continued as an ex-officio member since 2021 and has served on the Executive, Membership, Finance, Publications, and Advocacy committees. He currently chairs the Publications and Advocacy committees and serves on the ACTS Strategic Planning group.
He also chaired the Translational Science Program Committee in 2018, has presented at Translational Science meetings, and has represented ACTS through the Coalition for Clinical and Translational Science and in visits with elected representatives on Capitol Hill. Kimberly serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science, where he advises the editor-in-chief and supports the journal as a handling editor and reviewer.
This year, ACTS launched the Fellows of ACTS (FACTS) program. FACTS is a premier membership program for individuals who have made substantial contributions to and service within the clinical and translational science field. FACTS recognizes those who are an essential part of the clinical and translational community. This inaugural application process was rigorous and competitive, with 36 individuals selected from ACTS’ almost 6,000-person membership.
“The Fellows of ACTS program recognizes those whose impact on the clinical and translational space and the Association for Clinical and Translational Science is undeniable. The fellowship celebrates the work of the entire translational science community—from researchers to administrative staff. These fellows and their contributions truly embody the values and mission of ACTS for innovation, team science and community. We are pleased to celebrate their achievements and impact at Translational Science 2026,” said ACTS President Allan R. Brasier, MD.
About the Association for Clinical and Translational Science
The Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS) uniquely provides an outstanding platform for enhancing education, research, and public policy related to clinical and translational science. ACTS members consist of leaders, investigators, and trainees from academic medical centers, government, industry, and philanthropy. ACTS focuses on four realms: research, education, advocacy, and mentoring. Additional information is available at the ACTS website at actscience.org.
About the Center for Clinical and Translational Science
Established in 2008, the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) advances clinical and translational research aimed at reducing the burden of cardiometabolic, vascular, and cancer-related diseases affecting the Deep South. As one of more than 60 Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) nationwide, the CCTS supports collaborative research that reaches across institutional boundaries. Its regional Partner Network includes 11 academic health centers, research institutes, and universities across Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, providing a platform for researchers to work across disciplines, institutions, and communities to accelerate discovery and improve health.