MOSCOW, ID — The Idaho IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE), led by the University of Idaho, is marking 25 years of impactful biomedical research and education across the state.
Launched in 2000 and housed in U of I’s College of Science, the Idaho INBRE program has created a collaborative network involving 12 higher education institutions. Through hands-on research opportunities, faculty seed grants, core facility access, and summer fellowships, the program has helped strengthen Idaho’s role in the biomedical sciences.
“INBRE created an unprecedented network of faculty researchers and STEM educators from all public and private schools in the state,” said Carolyn Hovde Bohach, director of Idaho INBRE. “No matter our home institution, we respect each other as valued colleagues with a common goal to improve the health of Idahoans and the nation.”
Over the past 25 years, nearly 6,000 undergraduates, more than 600 graduate students, 53 postdoctoral fellows, and nearly 700 faculty have participated in the program. INBRE alumni have gone on to careers in medicine, public health, academia, and the biomedical industry.
Idaho INBRE has secured over $100 million in federal funding through the National Institutes of Health. In recognition of its contributions, Gov. Brad Little signed a proclamation declaring August as Idaho INBRE Month.
“One in 10 high school students graduating select the health care fields,” Little said. “So, whatever you’re doing, it’s working.”
Student outcomes from the program show that 43% pursue careers in medicine, 38% continue in research, 8% enter allied health fields, 2% become teachers, and 9% go into other areas.
Participating institutions in the Idaho INBRE network include:
- University of Idaho
- Boise State University
- Idaho State University
- Brigham Young University–Idaho
- Lewis–Clark State College
- College of Idaho
- Northwest Nazarene University
- North Idaho College
- College of Eastern Idaho
- College of Southern Idaho
- College of Western Idaho
- Idaho Veterans Research and Education Foundation
Notable program alumni include U of I Seed Potato Germplasm Program director Jenny Durrin, NIH researcher Catherine Brands, Moscow physician Dr. Adam Kappmeyer, and UC Davis associate professor Austin Viall.
The program is supported by NIH grant P20GM103408, with total project funding of $25.5 million — entirely federally funded.
More information is available at inbre.uidaho.edu.