Mississippi INBRE Announces $21 Million NIH Grant Renewal

Dr. Alex Flynt, far left, discusses the renewal of a more than $21 million NIH grant that supports the Mississippi IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (MS INBRE). Joining him for the announcement about the grant renewal were Dr. Jake Schaefer, director of the School of Biological, Environmental and Earth Sciences (BEES); Dr. Chris Winstead, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; and USM Vice President for Research Dr. Kelly Lucas.

The renewal of a five-year NIH (National Institutes of Health) research grant totaling more than $21 million for the Mississippi IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (MS INBRE), headquartered at The University of Southern Mississippi, was announced Sept. 6 on the Hattiesburg campus by faculty and administration closely associated with its work.

MS INBRE is led by Dr. Alex Flynt, program director and associate professor of biology at USM. The program is a statewide network of colleges and universities, designed to strengthen the biomedical research infrastructure in Mississippi. Dr. Flynt was joined by USM Vice President for Research Dr. Kelly Lucas; Dr. Chris Winstead, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; and Dr. Jake Schaefer, director of the School of Biological, Environmental and Earth Sciences (BEES) to discuss the significance of the renewed funding.

Although the renewal period just launched Sept. 1, the network has already established two new research labs at the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University, as well as a state-of-the-art data science center.

“Not only will these resources support research at institutions throughout the state, but with this renewal, we can also help build the workforce that this state needs to address its below-average health outcomes and create a better, healthier Mississippi,” explains Dr. Flynt.

In addition to strengthening research, improving the health of Mississippians is a key part of Mississippi INBRE’s mission. Utilizing the grant, the program can continue to conduct research into Mississippi’s top public health issues, such as obesity and diabetes.