BAR HARBOR, Maine — On Tuesday, the Maine research community and leaders of the MDI Biological Laboratory came together to celebrate receiving $19.4 million in federal funding.
The financial award goes toward the Maine IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence—a program within the National Institute of Health that enables and connects biomedical researchers in Maine.
Dr. Hermann Haller, president of MDI Biological Laboratory, is passionate about the important role INBRE plays.
"There would be no MDI [bio lab], if not for the IDeA programs," he said.
Now in its fifth cycle of funding, INBRE has provided more than 2,800 students with hands-on biomedical research training.
Samuel Cousins, a student at Southern Maine Community College, is part of the program. He said the guidance from mentors has given him confidence in pursuing his dream career.
"It's a really good way to just grab you into the field and say look, 'I know it's daunting, but you'll get there, because I did,'" Cousins said.
Jennifer Honeycutt, an associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at Bowdoin College, said there is great value in having a clear connection with researchers outside of one's specialization.
She said the network creates opportunities to collaborate, share resources and teach in ways that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. Being able to do this is "hugely important," Honeycutt said.
She also said INBRE creates a network capable of bringing high-paying biotech jobs to Maine.
"Infrastructure is being built that science is being supported and that support for the sciences, I think, is ultimately going to draw people to the state to make meaningful contribution," she said.