By Ethan Sirles
The Kentucky Institutional Development Awards (IDeA) Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (KY INBRE) recently announced a five-year renewal grant of $20 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), a partner institution of KY INBRE, was awarded an annual subcontract from the grant.
The NIGMS IDeA program funds statewide networks of universities and research institutions to build biomedical research capacity through support for faculty research and mentoring, student participation in research and research infrastructure improvements.
Dr. Tanea Reed, EKU’s lead faculty for KY INBRE and chair of the Department of Chemistry, said the grant will provide startup funds for EKU faculty who are conducting biomedical research and other EKU faculty through a competitive funding application process.
“Funded investigators may pay students to work as research assistants and send them to national conferences, which is great for them to have a sense of belonging to the scientific community and build their network,” Reed said. “Funds may also be used to purchase essential equipment to conduct research for funded investigators.”
At EKU, past KY INBRE funding has resulted in biomedical research studies on the effect of cannabidiol on dopamine and cannabinoid receptor signaling by Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, Dr. Lisa Middleton, and alternative antimicrobial and antimicrobial peptide development by Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Dr. Laura Rowe. Additionally, the grant funds helped Reed establish a research lab to study post-therapeutic strategies for moderate traumatic brain injury, which led to her receiving the second NIH R15 award in EKU’s history.
“Multiple faculty in the Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry have been recipients of KY INBRE funding to successfully start and maintain their research labs. These funds have also been used to send students to national and international conferences where they have presented their research,” said Reed. “This has been life-changing for the students.”
Reed added that, most recently, three undergraduate students presented their research at the inaugural KY INBRE research conference in February 2024.
“EKU is thankful to be included once again in this incredible network,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “We are excited for what we will be able to accomplish going into the future thanks to this grant, and we are proud of the impact we have been able to have in the lives of our students and faculty.”
According to Dr. Martha Bickford, professor and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology at the University of Louisville and principal investigator for KY INBRE, the program has generated almost $98 million for the state since 2001. She added that in the last round of funding, more than 2,000 students received research training and affiliated investigators published more than 200 articles.
On the impact of the grant at EKU, Reed said, “Many of our first-generation students have worked with funded researchers and it has changed their career trajectory. Many developed an untapped passion and a love for research.”
In addition to the opportunity for students to publish and present their research, Reed noted that the research data also enables faculty to apply for external grant funding, allowing for even more research and engagement.
The University of Louisville is the lead institution for KY INBRE, and EKU is one of seven primarily undergraduate institution partners.