It is precisely because Gabrielle Brumfield had the opportunity to explore the field of biomedical research as a 2017 Nebraska INBRE Scholar that she plans to pursue an M.D./Ph.D.
“It definitely had a positive impact on me,” Brumfield said.
INBRE, she said, gave her access to more opportunities at her small college.
A 2019 graduate of Chadron State College, Brumfield said the opportunity to engage in research there is limited outside of the INBRE program.
“Luckily enough I was accepted into the program and I really liked it,” she said. “I was given access to equipment and met people I would not otherwise have met.”
Brumfield is currently spending the summer in the lab of Becky Oberley-Deegan, Ph.D., an associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, studying a medication that could help prevent radiation damage to normal prostate tissue during cancer therapy.
This fall, Brumfield will return to UNMC to begin her first year of medical school.
She tells other students to take every opportunity presented to them, because they will learn from every experience.
INBRE, she said, showed her how important the intersection is between biomedical research and medicine.
“You can’t advance medicine without research,” Brumfield said.