Rachel Lamb Receives UW's INBRE Transition Scholarship

Armed with an INBRE Transition Scholarship, Rachel Lamb sounds ready to roll up her sleeves and delve into more biology research.

“I’m honored to receive this scholarship … During this year, I can continue to do research. Researching is more than a job,” says Lamb, from Conrad, Mont. “It’s an opportunity to explore for explanations of the biological world. All of this is possible due to the generosity of the university.”

Lamb, who recently received her associate of science degrees in biology/pre-health from Central Wyoming College, is one of seven students from Wyoming’s community colleges who received INBRE Transition Scholarships to study and conduct research at UW this fall.

She plans to finish her bachelor’s degree in biology at UW and graduate in 2015. At Central Wyoming College, she chose biology as a major so she could be dual-enrolled before transferring to UW’s campus.

UW’s IDeA Networks for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) program awards INBRE Transition Scholarships to outstanding life science students from Wyoming's community colleges where INBRE-sponsored research is conducted. For two years, students receive up to $2,500 each semester to pursue degrees and receive training in UW research laboratories.

After their first semester, students join a UW faculty member's lab, where they will conduct research for the remainder of their degree programs.

“Biology is more than looking at animals. I can look at human physiology, botany, biochemistry and the humanities,” Lamb says. “All of these courses are on the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test), which is a plus.”

UW is one of 22 institutions funded by the National Institutes for Health INBRE Program. INBRE funding is intended to enhance biomedical research capacity; expand and strengthen the research capabilities of biomedical faculty; and provide access to biomedical resources for promising undergraduate students throughout the eligible states.

Other students who received the scholarship include:

Cody -- Wyatt Fabrizio, Northwest College.

Comitan, Mexico -- David Rach, Northwest College.

Kinnear -- Russell Goff, Central Wyoming College.

Riverton -- Tyler Graham, Central Wyoming College.

Rock Springs -- Brent Rhodes, Western Wyoming Community College.

Rock Springs -- Anne Salisbury, Western Wyoming Community College.