This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The primary function of the Outreach Core is to facilitate biomedical research in the state by funding undergraduate Research Experience Opportunity (REO) grants to allow students to experience biomedical research hands-on in the lab of an established researcher. In this manner students can explore their actual potential for biomedical-related research as well as make invaluable contacts among graduate students and successful research professionals. The REO program has been quite successful and continues to attract an increasing number of high-quality applicants. In year 2 of the INBRE project 63 applications were received for 32 available positions. Each REO award included a $6000 stipend plus $1500 to help defray supply costs to the host laboratory. MFGN representatives attended the annual Mississippi Academy of Sciences (MAS) Meeting to advertise the REO program and answer questions at the MFGN booth. Several hundred brochures and tee-shirts bearing the MFGN logo and web site URL were handed out to interested students and faculty. Based on the success of the REO program in the past and via word-of-mouth advertising by students and MFGN personnel at the MAS Meeting, the REO program has become more competitive and we are able to attract more highly qualified students, whom we hope will be motivated to continue into biomedical careers. As part of the MFGN outreach we were also able to sponsor three minority undergraduate students to present their work at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) in Atlanta, GA (Nov 2005).
Showing the most recent 10 out of 143 publications
