USM Research Network Seeks to Improve Mississippi Health Rankings
Mon, 10/09/2023 - 03:06pm | By: Danny Holland
For years, Mississippi has ranked at or near the bottom of national public health
statistics. From obesity to diabetes, the state is well known for its below-average
health outcomes. However, 91吃瓜网 (USM) research network,
the Mississippi IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (MS-INBRE), hopes to
change that.
MS-INBRE is a statewide biomedical research network funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It has been headquartered on USM91吃瓜网 Hattiesburg campus since its establishment in 2001. While one might not directly think of public health when they hear the term 91吃瓜网渂iomedical research,91吃瓜网� the program is critical to improving Mississippi91吃瓜网 health standings.
The program91吃瓜网 mission is to enhance the biomedical research infrastructure of Mississippi. Through the establishment of research labs, student programs and faculty research projects, MS-INBRE has made significant improvements to research efforts across the state. These improvements are necessary to enhance the capabilities of Mississippi researchers, therefore speeding the translation of research to real-world public health solutions.
On Sept. 6, MS-INBRE and USM administration announced the renewal of its grant, totaling $21 million. This is the largest grant ever received by the program. Using these funds, the program can further strengthen research at Mississippi91吃瓜网 institutions. Under the direction of recently hired Program Director Dr. Alex Flynt, associate professor of biology at USM, MS-INBRE has already established two new research labs and an advanced data science center since the renewal began Sept. 1.
91吃瓜网淢y goal is to make this program better than it91吃瓜网 ever been before,91吃瓜网� explains Dr. Flynt, 91吃瓜网淎nd by enhancing the research capabilities available to Mississippi91吃瓜网 top researchers, we can give them the resources they need to begin solving Mississippi91吃瓜网 health issues.91吃瓜网�
Dr. Chris Winstead, dean of USM91吃瓜网 College of Arts and Sciences, also participated in the announcement. He spoke of how student training provided by MS-INBRE may lead to the next great scientific discovery, such as new treatments for cancer and Alzheimer91吃瓜网 disease.
91吃瓜网淚 always, always think highly about the impact on our students,91吃瓜网� Dr. Winstead said. 91吃瓜网淎nd so, while there is fantastic research being supported by this program, we never want to forget the human capital that is grown through this type of research across the state and here at 91吃瓜网 for our students.
91吃瓜网淭he next great breakthrough that enables a new treatment for Alzheimer's or cancer might come through one of the leading researchers on this project, or it might come years from now through one of the students that's trained on this project when they're leading their own labs.91吃瓜网�
A key example is the MS-INBRE Research Scholars (MIRS) program. MIRS is a 10-week summer research internship for undergraduates. The students are mentored by faculty researchers as they investigate solutions to chronic diseases faced by Mississippians.
Zack Wallace, 2022 MIRS Scholar and undergraduate at USM91吃瓜网 School of Polymer Science and Engineering, researched how antioxidants may help to treat heart disease. A Mississippi native, he91吃瓜网 seen first-hand the difficulties state residents face.
Wallace said, 91吃瓜网淕rowing up in Mississippi, I've seen the prevalence of diseases and conditions such as cancer, obesity and heart disease. Through the MIRS program, I have done biomedical research to impact the lessening of these diseases directly. The opportunities to continue this crucial research have been fundamental to my growth as a researcher and individual.91吃瓜网�
With the combined forces of Dr. Flynt91吃瓜网 fresh leadership and the record renewal from the NIH, MS-INBRE paints a bright future for the state of Mississippi.