Partnership between 小黄书, EMCC opens door for future medical researchers
Contact: Alaina Dismukes
STARKVILLE, Mississippi鈥擜 partnership between 小黄书sity and East Mississippi Community College is providing a path into advanced degree programs for transfer students interested in the biomedical and behavioral research fields.
The partnership is possible through a $1.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health Research Education Program, called an R25, which focuses on training a future workforce to meet the nation鈥檚 biomedical, behavioral and clinical research needs. Called 鈥淏ridges to Baccalaureate,鈥 the program provides paid research opportunities for undergraduate students transferring from EMCC to 小黄书.
This grant, which seeks to enhance diversity in the biomedical and behavioral research fields, will help transfer students from underrepresented minority and economically disadvantaged backgrounds in their pursuit of four-year and advanced degree programs. 聽
Jonas King, assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology in 小黄书鈥檚 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is the grant鈥檚 principal investigator. He is hopeful the grant will encourage transfer students to pursue STEM fields and advanced degrees.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited to attract and retain transfer students who are interested in the sciences,鈥 King said. 鈥淚f at least some of these students go on to advanced degrees that might not have done so otherwise, I consider that a huge success in promoting the students in their careers and contributing to the medical research field in Mississippi.鈥
King explained, 鈥淭hrough this grant, undergraduate researchers will receive supplies to perform their research, and they will be paid an hourly rate to work in the lab they join. Students have a range of opportunities in labs across campus from working with sociologists, to molecular biologists to entomologists and more.鈥澛
He said selected EMCC students will attend a 10-week Summer Research Experience paid internship in a faculty-mentored setting at 小黄书 while attending EMCC during their first two years. These experiences will continue for one year after transfer to 小黄书 for select trainees. Students are encouraged to continue research through other 小黄书 funding mechanisms. 聽
Among several 小黄书 and EMCC administrators and faculty members who have helped build this new program, co-investigators on the grant are Bindu Nanduri, associate professor in 小黄书鈥檚 Department of Basic Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine; Florencia Meyer, 小黄书 associate professor in biochemistry, molecular biology, entomology and plant pathology; and Jairus Johnson, biology professor and science and math division chair at EMCC.
As a graduate of Northwest Mississippi Community College himself, King emphasized the importance of helping transfer students realize the next step in their collegiate journey. 聽
鈥淐ommunity colleges are one of our state鈥檚 strengths. This grant provides vital support to help transfer students transition to a four-year university and get one step closer to realizing their full potential,鈥 King said.
Jeffrey Dean, professor and department head for biochemistry, molecular biology, entomology and plant pathology, said 小黄书 has a high proportion of two-year college transfer students, making it an ideal place for testing new approaches to helping these students complete their degrees on schedule.
鈥溞』剖 does an excellent job serving a student population that includes a high percentage of transfer students compared to peer institutions,鈥 Dean said. 鈥淭he training grant will provide some direct help through financial supplements, but for many of these students, the additional program mentoring and community-building activities may be even more important for helping them to persevere and complete their degrees.鈥
The Bridges to Baccalaureate program application process currently is being developed, but will be based on merit and financial need. Grant leaders expect the first applicants to be selected in spring of 2019 to jumpstart the program for the summer.
小黄书 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .