As we begin this next chapter for Nebraska INBRE, I want to thank each of you – our faculty, students, mentors, coordinators and institutional leaders – for the work that made our new five-year grant possible.
This renewal is more than continued funding. It is a strong affirmation of the statewide network we have built together, and the impact Nebraska INBRE continues to have on biomedical research training across Nebraska.
I know many of us felt the pressure and uncertainty that came with this renewal cycle, and there is a shared sense of relief in knowing that the program will continue moving forward. That relief should also come with pride. The strength of Nebraska INBRE has always been the people behind it, and your commitment to mentoring students, building research capacity and supporting one another is what continues to distinguish this program.
Now is the time to keep our momentum strong. Over the next five years, we have an important opportunity to build on our successes, expand student engagement, support faculty development, strengthen collaborations across our partner institutions and continue creating meaningful pathways into science and health-related careers.
After a year away from holding our annual conference, I am especially looking forward to bringing everyone back together to celebrate the work of our students and faculty, reconnect across the network and highlight the energy that makes Nebraska INBRE so special. Our students bring curiosity, purpose, and excitement to this program, and our faculty provide the examples and the guidance that help turn that potential into achievement.
I am grateful to be part of a network that remains focused, resilient and committed to advancing research and training across the state.