Our Mission
The Mississippi IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) is a network of colleges and universities, designed to build a biomedical research infrastructure in Mississippi. Our mission is to reach out to Mississippians in order to improve health throughout the state and to engage talented researchers and students in biomedical research projects that will increase the state’s research competitiveness as well as impact the health of citizens of Mississippi.
MSINBRE has three specific aims:
Specific Aim 1 – Improve research capabilities at Mississippi Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs).
Participation of undergraduates in research significantly increases persistence in STEM careers. Enabling PUIs to better engage students in research activities has been a long-standing goal for Mississippi INBRE, and we continue to make significant improvements to PUIs across the state.
Specific Aim 2 – Build capabilities and collaboration among academic scientists and community-based organizations (CBOs).
A powerful vehicle for promoting biomedical research in Mississippi is the establishment and expansion of Cores that provide access to instrumentation, data analysis services and outreach.
Specific Aim 3 – Develop a skilled workforce in biomedical research and health-related careers.
In addition to engaging students at their home institutes, Mississippi INBRE provides two summer undergraduate research programs: the Mississippi INBRE Research Scholars Program (MIRS) and the Mississippi INBRE Health Scholars Program (MIHS). Together, these programs provide unique opportunities for PUI students to participate in biomedical research and advance into their respective careers after graduation.
Scientific Focuses
Mississippi INBRE‘s primary scientific focuses are on cancer, diabetes, obesity, infectious diseases and other chronic illnesses directly affecting Mississippians.
Student Opportunities
Mississippi INBRE’s major effort to engage talented researchers and students in biomedical research projects is accomplished through the student pipeline.
Mississippi INBRE has two summer programs: Research Scholars (founded in 2004) and Health Scholars (founded in 2023). These programs are designed to give students hands-on experience in the field of biomedical research and public health. Both programs are paid summer internships and have a duration of 10 weeks. Scholars typically begin training in late May and graduate in late July.
There are also academic-year research opportunities available at our partner undergraduate institutions. To learn more, email us at msinbre@usm.edu.


Health Scholars
The Mississippi INBRE Health Scholars program was founded in 2023 as part of our commitment to train the next generation of doctors and scientists and help improve the health of our local communities. Health Scholars engage in public health-focused research that enhances their competitiveness for graduate programs in the health sciences, nursing programs, medical school and more.
Health Scholars

The Mississippi INBRE Health Scholars program was founded in 2023 as part of our commitment to train the next generation of doctors and scientists and help improve the health of our local communities. Health Scholars engage in public health-focused research that enhances their competitiveness for graduate programs in the health sciences, nursing programs, medical school and more.