Wilkins receives Mississippi-INBRE scholarship for summer research
Ethan Wilkins, of Vernon, Alabama, a junior biology major at Mississippi University for Women, will spend his summer with a lab coat thanks to a $6,500 scholarship from the Mississippi IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE).
Wilkins will work in the cystic fibrosis research lab of Dr. Ghanshyam Heda’s, professor of biology, at The W. According to Heda, during Wilkins’ 10-week stint in the lab, the two will collect data to determine the effects of a group of synthetic compounds on Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) protein expression. A mutated CFTR protein is responsible for causing the genetic disease cystic fibrosis.
“I am excited to dedicate more time to my work and learn more about research complexities,” Wilkins said. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time under Dr. Heda’s mentorship, and I knew we should continue our work into the summer. He has taught me many things about cystic fibrosis and techniques for developing my lab skills.”
Heda is excited that Wilkins will be in his lab over the summer, thanks to the scholarship. Additionally, he is equally excited about the implications of a W student receiving the scholarship.
“I am grateful for the trust of INBRE in the undergraduate research that has been conducted in my research laboratory here at The W for the past many years,” Heda said. “Secondly, it goes a long way toward convincing others that teaching universities like The W also have excellent research labs where students can be trained.”
Previously, scholarships were reserved for students at research intensive universities in the state. Heda thanked INBRE for the considerations and opening of doors for teaching universities like The W and this type of student training program.
In addition $6,500 for the student, Heda’s lab will receive $1,000 for supplies.
Wilkins previously worked in Heda’s lab as part of The W’s Office of Undergraduate Research Summer Scholars Program, last summer. This summer, Heda will mentor Summer Scholar, Zarin Raya.
Wilkins’ work in the lab will culminate in a presentation of his findings at the annual Mississippi IDeA/EPSCoR Conference (MIEC), a research conference held on the last day of the internship.
Wilkins is proud to represent The W in the program. He never doubted his choice to attend the university either.
“I chose The W because it was a reasonable distance from home, and ever since I walked onto its campus, I have known that I wanted to grow here. The ability to interact and develop relationships with my professors has opened doors that I would have never dreamed of coming into college,” he said.
Wilkins hopes that he will be able to promote further interest in the research taking place at The W, as well as the Department of Sciences and Mathematics as a whole.
“I am excited to help initiate more research into The W and help promote and advertise our science department at The W,” Wilkins said.
About Mississippi-INBRE
The Mississippi IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) is a network of colleges and universities, designed to build a biomedical research infrastructure in Mississippi. Its mission is to reach out to Mississippians in order to improve health throughout the state and to engage talented
researchers and students in biomedical research projects that will increase the state’s research competitiveness as well as impact the health of citizens of Mississippi.