In 2001, a three-year, $6 million federal grant led five Nebraska undergraduate
institutions and three Ph.D.-granting universities to create the Biomedical
Research Infrastructure Network (BRIN). As a result, the first 15 BRIN
scholars recently completed summer research internships under the guidance
and mentorship of faculty at University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC),
the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and Creighton University (CU).
These scholars were selected from five Nebraska institutions — Chadron
State College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, the University of Nebraska
at Omaha, Wayne State College and the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
The BRIN project is designed to enhance the competitiveness of biomedical
research in Nebraska by developing the states own human resources and
providing opportunities for those students to pursue research at the cutting
edge of current technologies. The goal is not only to train more undergraduates
in
research techniques and recruit them into the states graduate programs,
but also to encourage these students to stay in Nebraska and help build
up the scientifically trained workforce needed to sustain biomedical research
as an economic driver for the state.
The students were very eager and excited to be a part of the Nebraska
BRIN program, said James Turpen, Ph.D., professor of genetics, cell biology
and anatomy at UNMC and principal investigator of the BRIN grant. They
were happy to get in the labs and get their hands wet. They were
eager for information and experience.
The scholars were very committed to doing a good job for their mentors
and to enhance the program. They were candid and earnest in their evaluations
of the summer program and we anticipate great things from them. They all
were pleased with their experiences at UNMC, UNL and Creighton, enjoying
each experience and indicating that they learned a great deal.
We hope to do more with the scholars, especially in terms of group
activities. The problem for us is that so many of the scholars live in
different cities. Everyone is spread out and interaction is more difficult.
But, we are confident we can find ways in the future for more group activities.
The BRIN scholars and UNMC/UNL/Creighton mentors/research activities
included:
Chadron State College
· Hope West studied fetal biology with Claudia Kappen, Ph.D.,
associate professor, UNMCs department of genetics, cell biology and anatomy;
· Chris Schweitzer studied environmental toxology with Eleanor
Rogan, Ph.D., professor, UNMCs Eppley Research Institute molecular biology
etiology program;
· Julie Lancaster studied veterinary science with Clinton Jones,
DVM, professor, UNLs department of veterinary and biomedical sciences;
Nebraska Wesleyan University
· Gina Morgan studied virology with Charles Wood, Ph.D., director
of the Nebraska Center for Virology at UNL;
· Corita Steinkruger studied biological sciences with Jack Morris,
Ph.D., director and professor of UNLs department of biological sciences;
· Mindy Teetor studied virology with Robert Weldon, Ph.D., assistant
professor in UNLs department of biological sciences;
University of Nebraska at Kearney
· Raymond Baillou, Jr., studied cardiovascular neuroscience
with Greg Bennett, Ph.D., associate professor, UNMCs department of genetics,
cell biology and anatomy;
· Lisa Walters studied cancer biology with William Chaney, Ph.D.,
associate professor, UNMCs department of biochemistry and molecular biology;
· Melissa Fladseth studied genetics with Shelly Smith, Ph.D.,
professor, Hattie B. Munroe Center for Human Molecular Genetics;
University of Nebraska at Omaha
· Matt Stansbury studied genetics with Maurice Godfrey, Ph.D.,
associate professor of
pediatrics at UNMCs Munroe-Meyer Institute Center for Human Molecular
Genetics;
· Sam Recob studied developmental neurobiology with Bernd Fritzsch,
Ph.D., professor, Creighton department of biomedical sciences;
· Julia Moeller studied cardiovascular development with Janee
van Waes, DVM, Ph.D., assistant professor, UNMCs department of genetics,
cell biology and anatomy;
Wayne State College
· Jeremiah Lubke and Chibawayne Ene studied with Sandor Lovas,
Ph.D., associate professor, Creighton department of biomedical sciences
in the proteomics lab;
· Marko Jovic studied bioinformatics with Simon Sherman, Ph.D.,
associate professor and program director, the UNMC Eppley Research Institute
Molecular Cell Structure Biology program
The BRIN program helped me establish a network with my peers and superiors,
said Baillou, a senior majoring in biology with molecular emphasis and
medical technology. I wanted to absorb all the information I could and
experience the actually setting in a laboratory. I wanted to be exposed
to the latest developments and procedures in the modern lab so I can incorporate
this knowledge into my future studies.
Fladseth studied Tietz Syndrome — a form of hereditary deafness.
My career goal during the last few years has been to enter the field
of genetic counseling, Fladseth said. BRIN has given me more insight
into the opportunities available in the medical genetics research.
I also feel that the clinical experiences I observed will help me get a
better idea of what genetic counseling is all about and I will make a more
informed decision about my future goals.