The University of Wyoming is one of 24 institutions funded by the National Institutes for Health IDeA Networks for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Program. INBRE funding is intended to enhance biomedical research capacity, expand and strengthen the research capabilities of biomedical faculty, and provide access to biomedical resources for promising undergraduate students throughout the eligible states.
The Wyoming IDeA Networks for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Program is funded by the National Institutes for Health National Institute for General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). The ultimate goal the INBRE program is to promote the development, coordination, and sharing of research resources and expertise that will expand research opportunities and increase the number of competitive investigators in IDeA‐eligible states. INBRE programs are intended to enhance the caliber of scientific faculty at research institutions and undergraduate schools, thereby attracting more promising students to these organizations.
Consistent with the goal to build on past achievements and existing strengths a continuing
focus is on developing a critical mass of biomedical research faculty that will lead
to sustainable and competitive research programs as well as provide opportunities
for undergraduates at UW and all seven of the state’s community colleges to participate
in hands-on biomedical research.
To accomplish these goals Wyoming INBRE has established a number of programs designed
to provide support for activities at all levels of education that enhance biomedically
related research, training, education, and recruitment. Support for research is targeted
at projects and programs that address health issues important to Wyoming residents
that range from benchtop research to clinical, translational, or community-based investigations.
Current areas of particular research interest are cell and molecular biology and biomedical
technologies for chronic disease research. Support is currently provided to selected
junior investigators on the UW Laramie campus developing projects related to the two
focal areas. Additional support is available for researchers through the INBRE Thematic
Research, Pilot Grant, and UW/CC Collaborative grant programs and the Scaled Participatory
Research and Education Model grant program specifically for CC faculty. Proposals
for projects related to cell and molecular biology and biomedical technologies for
chronic disease research are encouraged but projects focused on other health-related
issues will be considered. In addition, INBRE partners with other UW units to provide
faculty start‐up support for biomedically targeted faculty hires by colleges and departments
and for major equipment purchases that build UWs research infrastructure.
To support biomedical-related education INBRE has several programs available to UW
faculty in Laramie and at Wyoming CCs. Support is provided to participating CC faculty
to develop research projects on their campuses that can engage students in the process
of science and potentially attract them into biomedically related degree programs.
The UW Zoom Videoconference System is available for use for courses, seminars, and
meetings at no charge for INBRE and other biomedically related uses. Other programs
focused on education and recruitment include: INBRE Transition Scholarship Program
that supports outstanding CC students transferring to the University to pursue baccalaureate
degrees; INBRE Transition Course Program that supports development of distance delivered
upper division courses for students across Wyoming pursuing baccalaureate degrees
in the life sciences; INBRE Bioinformatics Summer Institute for students interested
in pursuing advanced education and training in bioinformatics; and the INBRE CC Videoconference
Seminar Series that provides monthly seminars to CC faculty and students from UW,
CC and visiting scientists. In addition, INBRE is developing projects for K‐12 faculty
and students that will enhance their knowledge of educational and career opportunities
in biomedicine. INBRE is also interested in partnering with other UW and CC units
to support projects focused on public health and health awareness.
Last, Wyoming INBRE is expanding opportunities for Wyoming investigators and students
across the Western Region. To share established INBRE programs and infrastructure,
INBRE has joined with Idaho, Montana and New Mexico; the Regional Alliance of INBRE
Networks (RAIN). Student internship opportunities will be further enhanced by Wyoming’s
membership in the Western INBRE State Student Summer Program. INBRE has a leadership
role in the Mountain West Clinical and Translational Research- Infrastructure Network
that provides support and professional development for multi-state C/T projects. Finally,
Wyoming INBRE is poised to engage and support investigator and student access to resources
being developed by the recently funded NIGMS program, Regional Technology Transfer
Hub Accelerating Solutions for Commercialization and Entrepreneurial Development (ASCEND)
in the Mountain West IDeA States program ASCEND program.