Mon,
10/09/2023 – 03:06pm | By: Danny Holland

For years, Mississippi has ranked at or close to the underside of nationwide public well being
statistics. From weight problems to diabetes, the state is well-known for its below-average
well being outcomes. However, The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) analysis community,
the Mississippi IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (MS-INBRE), hopes to
change that.

MS-INBRE is a statewide biomedical analysis community funded by the National Institutes
of Health (NIH). It has been headquartered on USM’s Hattiesburg campus since its institution
in 2001. While one may not instantly consider public well being once they hear the time period
“biomedical research,” this system is essential to bettering Mississippi’s well being standings.

The program’s mission is to reinforce the biomedical analysis infrastructure of Mississippi.
Through the institution of analysis labs, scholar applications and college analysis
initiatives, MS-INBRE has made important enhancements to analysis efforts throughout the
state. These enhancements are obligatory to reinforce the capabilities of Mississippi
researchers, due to this fact dashing the interpretation of analysis to real-world public well being
options.

On Sept. 6, MS-INBRE and USM administration announced the renewal of its grant, totaling $21 million. This is the most important grant ever acquired by this system. Using
these funds, this system can additional strengthen analysis at Mississippi’s establishments.
Under the path of not too long ago employed Program Director Dr. Alex Flynt, affiliate professor of biology at USM, MS-INBRE has already established two new
analysis labs and a sophisticated information science middle because the renewal started Sept. 1.

“My goal is to make this program better than it’s ever been before,” explains Dr.
Flynt, “And by enhancing the analysis capabilities accessible to Mississippi’s prime
researchers, we may give them the assets they should start fixing Mississippi’s
well being points.”

Dr. Chris Winstead, dean of USM’s College of Arts and Sciences, additionally participated
within the announcement. He spoke of how scholar coaching supplied by MS-INBRE could lead
to the following nice scientific discovery, akin to new remedies for most cancers and Alzheimer’s
illness.

“I always, always think highly about the impact on our students,” Dr. Winstead stated.
“And so, whereas there may be incredible analysis being supported by this program, we by no means
wish to overlook the human capital that’s grown via the sort of analysis throughout
the state and right here at Southern Miss for our college students.

“The subsequent nice breakthrough that allows a brand new remedy for Alzheimer’s or most cancers
would possibly come via one of many main researchers on this challenge, or it would come
years from now via one of many college students that is educated on this challenge once they’re
main their very own labs.”

A key instance is the MS-INBRE Research Scholars (MIRS) program. MIRS is a 10-week
summer season analysis internship for undergraduates. The college students are mentored by college
researchers as they examine options to continual ailments confronted by Mississippians.

Zack Wallace, 2022 MIRS Scholar and undergraduate at USM’s School of Polymer Science
and Engineering, researched how antioxidants could assist to deal with coronary heart illness. A Mississippi
native, he’s seen first-hand the difficulties state residents face.

Wallace stated, “Growing up in Mississippi, I’ve seen the prevalence of ailments and
circumstances akin to most cancers, weight problems and coronary heart illness. Through the MIRS program, I
have executed biomedical analysis to affect the lessening of those ailments instantly.
The alternatives to proceed this significant analysis have been elementary to my progress
as a researcher and particular person.”

With the mixed forces of Dr. Flynt’s contemporary management and the report renewal from
the NIH, MS-INBRE paints a vibrant future for the state of Mississippi.