30 Idaho Students Receive Biomedical Research Fellowships
Wednesday, April 7 2004
April 7, 2004 MOSCOW -- Thirty students attending seven Idaho universities and colleges will spend 10 weeks this summer conducting research funded by the Idaho Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network. The students will work with some of the state's top scientists at the University of Idaho, Boise State University and Idaho State University. "It was very competitive this year," said UI-based program director Mike Laskowski. “There is a definite interest among Idaho students in biomedical research. Students from past years have gone on to medical school or graduate school, so the program is starting to have the effects we were hoping to see," he added. “We want students to be able to conduct research at Idaho institutions without going out of state," Laskowski said. The students also provide valuable assistance for the researchers. "We have found they are much more than just an extra pair of hands in the lab." Laskowski said, "By the end, they are active collaborators in the work, and it is a positive experience for both parties." The National Institutes of Health funded the network with an $8 million grant awarded in 2001 to UI in cooperation with ISU and BSU. This award supports biomedical research opportunities for faculty and students at the three universities. The Idaho BRIN Undergraduate Summer Fellowship Program provides a $5,000 stipend to each student. The cooperative research network is now in its third year and is supported by the Idaho office of the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho Medical Education Program. "here is a natural link between excellence in biomedical research and outcome-based medical education for our students," said Andrew Turner, UI WWAMI director. "The undergraduate summer fellowship program prepares Idaho's brightest for successful careers in either research or medicine," Turner added. "We know that we will reap the benefits of programs like BRIN for years to come." Jacob Pierson, a UI senior from Boise studying biology, participated in the BRIN program the last two summers. Originally focused on a career in medicine, Pierson said his experience refocused his attention on medical research. After graduation this spring from UI, he plans to work most of the summer in the UI lab of Larry Forney, Biological Sciences Department head and his employer the last two summers, then begin his graduate studies in the fall. When he earns his master's, Pierson said, he hopes to enroll in a Ph.D.-M.D. program that will allow him to pursue his passion for research and give him a medical background. The summer fellowship helped him make his career choice. "It really has influenced me," Pierson said. "I decided last summer to pursue a career in research." Students (listed by their current school), their hometowns and where they will work this summer include: Albertson College of Idaho Desiree Barton of Twin Falls, Boise State University Kendra Coonse of Eagle, Boise State University Burke A. Hays of Nampa, Boise State University Boise State University Brady Catherman of Boise, Boise State University Matthew Kai Elliott of Boise, Boise State University Mark Bryan Headly of Boise, Boise State University Amber Hibberd of Meridian, Boise State University Rohn McCune of Boise, Boise State University Brigham Young University-Idaho Michael Lynn Gurney of Emmett, Boise State University Tami Kidd of Burley, Idaho State University Erica Larson of Idaho Falls, Idaho State University Idaho State University Janine R. Hutchinson of Dubios, Wyo., Idaho State University Jamie M. Jarolimek of Pocatello, Idaho State University Sarah E. Shephard of Pocatello, Idaho State University Lewis-Clark State College Danelle M. Black of Lewiston, University of Idaho Northwest Nazarene University Brian Fife of Meridian, Boise State University Jeremy Hugus of Riverton, Wyo., Idaho State University University of Idaho Nicole Alisa Erickson of Moscow, University of Idaho Randall Fox of Kennewick, Wash., University of Idaho Viola Fucsko of Boise, Boise State University Audra Johnson of Las Vegas, University of Idaho Braden Lang of Boise, Boise State University Hillery C. Metz of Moyie Springs, University of Idaho Erica Raterman of Moscow, University of Idaho Christina Rea of Moscow, University of Idaho Rosanna Satterfield of Aberdeen, Idaho State University Carolyn Shoemaker of Blackfoot, University of Idaho Alexis Snell of Moscow, University of Idaho Julia Williams of Moscow, University of Idaho Ted Yamamato of Caldwell, University of Idaho Contacts: Lodi Price, BRIN program coordinator, lodi@uidaho.edu, (208) 885-5373; or Bill Loftus, science writer, bloftus@uidaho.edu, (208) 885-7694 -30- BL-4/7/2004-WWAMI
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The University of Idaho helps students to succeed and become leaders. Its land-grant mission furthers innovative scholarly and creative research to grow Idaho's economy and serve a statewide community. From its main campus in Moscow, Idaho, to 70 research and academic locations statewide, U-Idaho emphasizes real-world application as part of its student experience. U-Idaho combines the strength of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. It is home to the Vandals. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.