USM Research Network Seeks to Improve Mississippi Health Rankings

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

For years, Mississippi has ranked at or near the bottom of national public health statistics. From obesity to diabetes, the state is well known for its below-average health outcomes. However, The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) research network, the Mississippi IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (MS-INBRE), hopes to change that.

MS-INBRE is a statewide biomedical research network funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It has been headquartered on USM’s Hattiesburg campus since its establishment in 2001. While one might not directly think of public health when they hear the term “biomedical research,” the program is critical to improving Mississippi’s health standings.

The program’s mission is to enhance the biomedical research infrastructure of Mississippi. Through the establishment of research labs, student programs and faculty research projects, MS-INBRE has made significant improvements to research efforts across the state. These improvements are necessary to enhance the capabilities of Mississippi researchers, therefore speeding the translation of research to real-world public health solutions.

On Sept. 6, MS-INBRE and USM administration announced the renewal of its grant, totaling $21 million. This is the largest grant ever received by the program. Using these funds, the program can further strengthen research at Mississippi’s institutions. Under the direction of recently hired Program Director Dr. Alex Flynt, associate professor of biology at USM, MS-INBRE has already established two new research labs and an advanced data science center since the renewal began Sept. 1.

“My goal is to make this program better than it’s ever been before,” explains Dr. Flynt, “And by enhancing the research capabilities available to Mississippi’s top researchers, we can give them the resources they need to begin solving Mississippi’s health issues.”

Dr. Chris Winstead, dean of USM’s College of Arts and Sciences, also participated in the announcement. He spoke of how student training provided by MS-INBRE may lead to the next great scientific discovery, such as new treatments for cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

“I always, always think highly about the impact on our students,” Dr. Winstead said. “And so, while there is fantastic research being supported by this program, we never want to forget the human capital that is grown through this type of research across the state and here at Southern Miss for our students.

“The next great breakthrough that enables a new treatment for Alzheimer's or cancer might come through one of the leading researchers on this project, or it might come years from now through one of the students that's trained on this project when they're leading their own labs.”

A key example is the MS-INBRE Research Scholars (MIRS) program. MIRS is a 10-week summer research internship for undergraduates. The students are mentored by faculty researchers as they investigate solutions to chronic diseases faced by Mississippians.

Zack Wallace, 2022 MIRS Scholar and undergraduate at USM’s School of Polymer Science and Engineering, researched how antioxidants may help to treat heart disease. A Mississippi native, he’s seen first-hand the difficulties state residents face.

Wallace said, “Growing up in Mississippi, I've seen the prevalence of diseases and conditions such as cancer, obesity and heart disease. Through the MIRS program, I have done biomedical research to impact the lessening of these diseases directly. The opportunities to continue this crucial research have been fundamental to my growth as a researcher and individual.”

With the combined forces of Dr. Flynt’s fresh leadership and the record renewal from the NIH, MS-INBRE paints a bright future for the state of Mississippi.