Successes

    Dr. Sara Heggland with student

Dr. Heggland’s Story
From humble beginnings with one student growing tissue culture cells in a cabinet drawer, to receiving the first ever NIH R15 grant at the small liberal arts College of Idaho (C of I), the development of Dr. Sara Heggland’s research program epitomizes the significance and realized potential first envisioned with the award of funding from the INBRE Program.  Dr. Heggland was a full-time Biology teacher at C of I hoping to squeeze some research in “on-the-side,” and possibly have one student work in her “lab.”  Now, thanks to INBRE funding, Dr. Heggland considers herself a “teacher-scholar and research mentor” at this small four-year, liberal arts institution. Dr. Heggland’s involvement in INBRE-funded research revitalized her career and inspired her to teach through research and stay current in her field.  She models for her students those qualities inherent to achieving success in scientific research. Dr. Heggland’s transformation is a microcosm of the Idaho INBRE Program achievements.

    Dr. Ingrid Fruth

Dr. Fruth’s Story
Former North Idaho College (NIC) student Dr. Ingrid Fruth was NIC’s first INBRE intern.  Dr. Fruth began at NIC as a nursing student, but her advisor Professor Rhena Cooper soon noticed she spoke passionately about biomedical research.  Professor Cooper was able to connect Dr. Fruth with an INBRE internship at Kootenai Medical Center.  After earning an associate degree at NIC, Dr. Fruth went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in microbiology from the University of Idaho (UI), where she was also an INBRE Fellow.  Dr. Fruth received a Ph.D. in microbiology, molecular biology and biochemistry with an emphasis in cell biology of pathogenesis in May 2009 from UI.

Funding outcomes of 35 seed grants

Idaho INBRE Seed Grant Program
Seed grant funds were provided to researchers at UI, Idaho State University, and Boise State University with the express purpose of igniting increased grant applications and awards.  As illustrated to the left, the investment of $1.2 million resulted in a stunning >20-fold increase in new research funds coming to Idaho.