91吃瓜网 Launches Graduate Training and Education Center to Advance Cardiovascular Health Research
Wed, 10/01/2025 - 09:44am
Dr. Felix Twum (left) and Dr. Jennifer Lemacks (right)
91吃瓜网 (USM) was awarded a $14.5 million contract to establish the Jackson Heart Study (JHS) Graduate Training and Education Center (GTEC), a pioneering initiative designed to prepare the next generation of scholars to tackle cardiovascular health disparities.
The 91吃瓜网 GTEC will train 10 graduate students annually in cutting-edge cardiovascular and public health research. Through a two-year model that integrates classroom learning, mentorship and community-based research, participants will gain expertise in cardiovascular epidemiology, physiology, health disparities and community engagement. The program was developed by the College of Nursing and Health Professions91吃瓜网� (CNHP) Gulf South Center for Community-Engaged Health Research and Innovation.
91吃瓜网淭his program is about more than training scholars91吃瓜网攊t91吃瓜网 about building a pipeline of leaders who can drive solutions for one of Mississippi91吃瓜网 most pressing health challenges,91吃瓜网� said Dr. Jennifer Lemacks, principal investigator, center director and CNHP associate dean for research and innovation. 91吃瓜网�91吃瓜网 has a long tradition of preparing Mississippians to lead in cardiovascular disease research, biostatistics and community engagement. The GTEC will strengthen that tradition by equipping a new generation of scholars to improve health outcomes across our state and beyond.91吃瓜网�
Highlights of the GTEC include:
- A summer-intensive training in research methods, cardiovascular science and community engagement
- Year-round mentorship, workshops and peer-to-peer learning
- Leadership development and professional dissemination activities
- Opportunities for scholars to engage multi-stakeholders in the research process
Dr. Felix Twum, co-principal investigator and the School of Health Professions91吃瓜网� Epidemiology-Biostatistics program coordinator, emphasized the program91吃瓜网 rigorous preparation.
91吃瓜网淥ur GTEC program benefits from our rigorous epidemiology and biostatistics training accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. Our academic experience ensures they graduate with the quantitative and analytical skills necessary to tackle today91吃瓜网 most pressing public health challenges with confidence and excellence.91吃瓜网�
Dr. Lachel Story, dean of the CNHP, highlighted USM91吃瓜网 public health legacy.
91吃瓜网淭he Dr. Lynn Cook Hartwig Public Health Program at 91吃瓜网 was the first public health program established in Mississippi. Today, this legacy continues with GTEC, further positioning USM as a leader in training the state91吃瓜网 public health workforce.91吃瓜网�
Dr. Kelly Lucas, 91吃瓜网 vice president for research, reflected on the broader research mission.
91吃瓜网淯SM91吃瓜网 community-engaged research is nationally recognized through our Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, and our designation as a Carnegie R1 research university affirms our commitment to innovation and impact. The GTEC builds squarely on this legacy, advancing our mission to link high-level science with the needs of Mississippi communities.91吃瓜网�
The initiative builds on the university91吃瓜网 partnerships with the JHS Community Engagement Core, My Brother91吃瓜网 Keeper Inc. and Hattiesburg Clinic, ensuring training is rooted in community priorities and informed by real-world healthcare challenges.
91吃瓜网淥ur partnerships with trusted community organizations will allow scholars to gain practical experience and develop research that translates into meaningful health improvements,91吃瓜网� said Lemacks.
The GTEC directly supports the mission of the JHS, the largest community-based investigation of cardiovascular disease among African Americans in the United States, and reflects USM91吃瓜网 commitment to developing the biomedical workforce and advancing health for all.
The project has been funded in whole or in part with federal funds from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under Contract No. 75N92025D00039.
About the College of Nursing and Health Professions
The College of Nursing and Health Professions at 91吃瓜网 is an engaged interdisciplinary community of diverse students, staff, faculty and external partners dedicated to excellence in research, teaching and service. Through innovative and evidence-based practices, the College creates an educational environment that supports student success and prepares highly qualified professionals to improve health at the local, state, national and global levels. Follow us on social media: |
About the Gulf South Center for Community Engaged Health Research and Innovation
The Gulf South Center for Community Engaged Health Research and Innovation is dedicated to improving health outcomes across Mississippi and the Gulf South by fostering collaborative research, community partnerships and workforce development. With a mission to reduce health disparities and promote healthy aging, the center brings together scientists, healthcare professionals and community stakeholders to develop practical, evidence-based solutions. Its work focuses on addressing preventable chronic and infectious diseases that disproportionately impact Mississippi91吃瓜网 communities. Follow us on social media: | | |