Our Story
About F&I
Built on a foundation of scientific rigor, community trust, and a commitment to research that actually moves the needle.
Heather D. Wright
Founder & Principal Investigator
Ph.D. Candidate · Little Rock, Arkansas
Meet Heather D. Wright
Heather D. Wright is a researcher, scientist, and strategic consultant with over a decade of experience in biomedical research, public health, and community-based science. She is the founder and principal investigator of F&I Research Consulting, a firm she built to make high-quality research expertise accessible to organizations doing meaningful work.
Pursuing her Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology, Heather's academic and professional work sits at the intersection of science, community, and innovation. Her research focuses on health equity, community-based participatory methods, and translating scientific discoveries into real-world impact for underserved populations.
As an NIH All of Us Research Program Scholar, Heather has contributed to national precision medicine initiatives while maintaining deep roots in Arkansas's healthcare and research ecosystem — partnering with Arkansas Children's Hospital, UAMS, the Arkansas Department of Health, and community coalitions across the state.
Through F&I Research Consulting, she brings that same rigor, creativity, and community-centered approach to every client engagement — from early-stage study design to publication-ready analysis and grant strategy.
"The best research doesn't just answer questions — it changes what questions we think to ask."
— Heather D. Wright
Credentials & Affiliations
Education
- Ph.D. Candidate — Transpersonal Psychology, Capella University
- M.S. — Psychology (Evaluation, Research & Measurement), Capella University
- B.A. — General Psychology (Nutritional Psychology), Columbia College
Research Focus
- Translational & Public Health Science
- Community-Based Participatory Research
- Biomedical & Behavioral Health Studies
- Health Equity & Rural Health Disparities
Affiliations
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute
- UAMS Translational Research Institute
- All of Us Research Program — NIH
- Arkansas Department of Health
Recognition
- NIH All of Us Research Program Scholar
- CTSA Community Engagement Award
- Arkansas Science & Technology Authority Fellow
The Journey
B.A. in General Psychology
Earned a Bachelor of Arts in General Psychology with an emphasis in Nutritional Psychology from Columbia College — laying the foundation for a career at the intersection of human behavior, health, and science.
M.S. in Psychology & Arkansas Children's Hospital
Completed a Master of Science in Psychology with a specialization in Evaluation, Research, and Measurement from Capella University. Simultaneously joined Arkansas Children's Hospital directing research in pediatric Otolaryngology, Cleft Lip and Palate, and Vascular Anomalies — managing a biorepository, mentoring medical students, residents, and fellows, and leading a multitude of concurrent clinical studies.
Community Research Leadership
Led community-based research initiatives across Arkansas, partnering with hospitals, nonprofits, and government agencies to address health disparities in underserved populations.
Founded FIRC & Ph.D. Studies Begin
Founded F&I Research Consulting (FIRC) and began doctoral studies in Transpersonal Psychology at Capella University — bringing high-caliber research strategy, program evaluation, and scientific expertise to organizations across healthcare, academia, and the nonprofit sector.
NIH All of Us Scholar
Selected as a scholar for the NIH All of Us Research Program, advancing precision medicine and health equity research with a focus on underrepresented communities.
The Good Food Rx
Initiated the Good Food Rx program — a 12-month food-as-medicine pilot in Phillips County, Arkansas, delivering medically-tailored food boxes and nutrition education to adults living with diabetes, hypertension, and obesity in one of the most food-insecure counties in the nation.
Ph.D. Candidate & Consulting Principal
Completing doctoral studies in Transpersonal Psychology at Capella University while leading FIRC's growing portfolio of public health, biomedical, and community research projects.
Our Mission
To advance human health and well-being through innovative, ethical, and community-centered research.
F&I Research Consulting exists to make rigorous, impactful science accessible to the organizations and communities that need it most — bridging the gap between academic research and real-world application.
Ready to Work Together?
Let's discuss how F&I Research Consulting can support your next initiative.