Student Programs
One of Mississippi INBRE’s major efforts 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 2022). These programs are designed to give students hands-on experience in the field of biomedical research and public health.
There are also academic-year research opportunities available at our partner undergraduate institutions. To learn more, email us at msinbre@usm.edu.
Research Scholars
The Mississippi INBRE Research Scholars (MIRS) program is a 10-week summer research internship for undergraduate students. Our flagship student program, you’ll work one-on-one in your choice of mentor’s lab as you create your very own research project. Selected students spend one week of biomedical research training at The University of Southern Mississippi where they are taught the basic procedures of biomedical research. Following training, students complete a nine-week internship in their mentor’s laboratory where they develop an abstract to present as a research poster at state, regional, and/or national conferences.
Research Scholars
The Mississippi INBRE Research Scholars (MIRS) program is a 10-week summer research internship for undergraduate students. Our flagship student program, you’ll work one-on-one in your choice of mentor’s lab as you create your very own research project. Selected students spend one week of biomedical research training at The University of Southern Mississippi where they are taught the basic procedures of biomedical research. Following training, students complete a 9-week internship in their mentor’s laboratory where they develop an abstract to present as a research poster at state, regional, and/or national conferences.
Health Scholars
The Mississippi INBRE Health Scholars Program (MIHS) is a 10-week summer internship for Mississippi college students. MIHS Scholars engage in community-based healthcare services research. The program begins with two week of orientation in Jackson, Mississippi. After orientation, scholars participate in a eight-week mentored internship hosted by our partners at My Brother’s Keeper, Inc. At the completion of the program, MIHS Scholars prepare an abstract and research poster to present at state, regional and/or national conferences.
Health Scholars
The Mississippi INBRE Health Scholars Program (MIHS) is a 10-week summer internship for Mississippi college students. MIHS Scholars engage in community-based healthcare services research. The program begins with one week of orientation at The University of Southern Mississippi. After orientation, scholars participate in a nine-week mentored internship hosted by our partners at My Brother’s Keeper, Inc. At the completion of the program, MIHS Scholars prepare an abstract and research poster to present at state, regional and/or national conferences.
FAQs
Mississippi INBRE Research Scholars
The applications will be reviewed during the beginning of February and notifications will be sent out in mid-February. All applicants, regardless of award status, will be notified via email. Students who are awarded the internship will be required to complete an email acceptance form and a W-9 form that is to be signed and returned to the Mississippi INBRE office by the deadline stated in the email. Failure to complete these forms cancels the award.
Mississippi INBRE Health Scholars
The applications will be reviewed during the beginning February and interviews will begin that month. All applicants, regardless of award status, will be notified via email. Students who are awarded the internship will be required to complete an email acceptance form and a W-9 form that is to be signed and returned to the Mississippi INBRE office by the deadline stated in the email. Failure to complete these forms cancels the award.
Once you click submit on the application, your confirmation will be shown at the top of the webpage. If your application lacks a key element, you will be informed and asked to submit the missing items by the deadline. Please note: email is the primary form of communication from our office. Please be sure to enter you email information correctly on your application.
Mississippi INBRE Research Scholars
Be sure to include how the Mississippi INBRE Award will enhance your career goals. Also, include information about yourself, your future goals, why you are in the biomedical research field, what type of biomedical research you are interested in doing, etc. It would be useful to include your past lab experience and classes you have taken to further your knowledge of biomedical research. Previous research experience is not a requirement for any of our programs.
Mississippi INBRE Health Scholars
Your personal statement should address the following:
• Why are you interested in community-based research?
• List any past research related activities you have been involved. Note: Previous research experience is not a requirement for acceptance to our program.
• Discuss the research role you would like to serve and the types of activities that are of interest to you.
• Briefly describe how involvement in research activities will enhance your academic/career goals.
In many research labs, mentors utilize their graduate students to train new students (both undergraduate and graduate) in research. Working with a graduate student should in no way impede your project and is a very common practice.
Although very rare, occasionally a student and their mentor have personality conflicts that make a productive relationship difficult. Even if this should happen to you, you should respectfully talk to your mentor to try to solve the problem. In nearly every case, the problem is a lack of communication. This is also an opportunity to develop your interpersonal skills, thus we encourage students to stick out the summer unless there are extreme circumstances. Feel free to contact the Mississippi INBRE staff if you need any assistance.
The funds to attend required meetings are part of your internship award. Mississippi INBRE will not be of further financial assistance for attendance of these meetings. Usually $250 to $300 is a sufficient amount to set aside to attend required meetings, but may vary depending on your particular travel and lodging arrangements.
This award is subject to income tax regulations. You will receive a 1099 tax form early the following year for reporting purposes.
Any awards for projects less than 10-weeks will be pro-rated, or money will be deducted based on the amount of time you missed of your internship.
No. For the Health Scholars program, students work with faculty and staff at My Brother’s Keeper, Inc. They will provide mentors for you during your one-week training period.