Delta State partners with Harvard Medical School

Special to The Mississippi Link

CLEVELAND – The Delta Business Journal recently reported that for the first time in the school’s history, Delta State University’s Division of Biological and Physical Sciences has formed a partnership with Harvard Medical School (HMS). This partnership allowed 10 Delta State students to attend the New England Science Symposium (NESS) held in Boston, Mass, on April 1.

The event was a national symposium providing students and faculty a chance to participate for scholarships and awards and meet representative from the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies and premier medical schools.

Established in 2002, NESS promotes careers in biomedical sciences and provides a forum for postdoctoral fellows; medical, dental and graduate students; post-baccalaureates; college and community college students to share their biomedical and health-related research activities through oral or poster presentations, to engage in discussions related to career development in the sciences, to exchange ideas and to expand their professional networks.

The Delta Business Journal also said that J.L. Hubbard, Jr., M.D., adjunct professor of biology, Dr. Eric Blackwell, assistant professor of biology, and Justin Johnson, a graduate student, have been selected to present research projects at the symposium. This includes Hubbard’s abstract of placental stem cell research in comparison with other regions of the country, and Blackwell/Johnson’s study of radio frequency tracking of salamanders for their potential use in novel medical treatments and therapies.

“This is a great opportunity for Delta State University with endless potential and a great chance for 10 of our students to annually be exposed to the top medical school and research facilities in the world,” Hubbard told the Delta Business Journal. By partnering with HMS, we will be eligible for a wide variety of grants, scholarships, and internships. We also will be able to utilize their many resources.”

Hubbard also said Delta State will now have the opportunity to send any sample/specimen and have the most modern tests known to man run on that sample.

“We can communicate at real-time with Nobel winning researchers,” he said. “Every year 10 of our students, will be able to participate in the NESS which is an invitation-only symposium for the top researchers and students of the biosciences.”

The partnership was made possible by funding from the Harvard Catalyst Program, a $220 million federally funded grant created by HMS for issues dealing with health disparity/diversity and funding of novel research programs, and to enhance the research programs of underserved areas.

“Mississippi, unfortunately, is the unhealthiest state in the country in every poll,” said Hubbard. “This partnership hopefully will lead to improved health care in our region and promote opportunities for students in the Division of Biological and Physical Sciences at Delta State University.”