Mississippi IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (Mississippi INBRE), directed by Dr. Mohamed Elasri, Professor of Microbiology at The University of Southern Mississippi’s College of Arts and Sciences, is a statewide program that is supported by an award from the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences. Its mission is to enhance the biomedical research foundation in Mississippi and to reach out to Mississippians in order to improve health throughout the state. Mississippi INBRE seeks 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.