Southern Miss Launches Graduate Training and Education Center to Advance Cardiovascular Health Research

Wed,
10/01/2025 – 09:44am

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) was awarded a $14.5 million contract
to establish the Jackson Heart Study (JHS) Graduate Training and Education Center
(GTEC), a pioneering initiative designed to prepare the next generation of scholars
to tackle cardiovascular health disparities.

The Southern Miss GTEC will train 10 graduate students annually in cutting-edge cardiovascular
and public health research. Through a two-year model that integrates classroom learning,
mentorship and community-based research, participants will gain expertise in cardiovascular
epidemiology, physiology, health disparities and community engagement. The program
was developed by the College of Nursing and Health Professions’ (CNHP) Gulf South
Center for Community-Engaged Health Research and Innovation.

“This program is about more than training scholars—it’s about building a pipeline
of leaders who can drive solutions for one of Mississippi’s most pressing health challenges,”
said Dr. Jennifer Lemacks, principal investigator, center director and CNHP associate
dean for research and innovation. “Southern Miss has a long tradition of preparing
Mississippians to lead in cardiovascular disease research, biostatistics and community
engagement. The GTEC will strengthen that tradition by equipping a new generation
of scholars to improve health outcomes across our state and beyond.”

Highlights of the GTEC include:

• A summer-intensive training in research methods, cardiovascular science and community
  engagement
• Year-round mentorship, workshops and peer-to-peer learning
• Leadership development and professional dissemination activities
• Opportunities for scholars to engage multi-stakeholders in the research process

Dr. Felix Twum, co-principal investigator and the School of Health Professions’ Epidemiology-Biostatistics
program coordinator, emphasized the program’s rigorous preparation.

“Our GTEC program benefits from our rigorous epidemiology and biostatistics training
accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. Our academic experience
ensures they graduate with the quantitative and analytical skills necessary to tackle
today’s most pressing public health challenges with confidence and excellence.”

Dr. Lachel Story, dean of the CNHP, highlighted USM’s public health legacy.

“The Dr. Lynn Cook Hartwig Public Health Program at Southern Miss was the first public
health program established in Mississippi. Today, this legacy continues with GTEC,
further positioning USM as a leader in training the state’s public health workforce.”

Dr. Kelly Lucas, Southern Miss vice president for research, reflected on the broader
research mission.

“USM’s community-engaged research is nationally recognized through our Carnegie Community
Engagement Classification, and our designation as a Carnegie R1 research university
affirms our commitment to innovation and impact. The GTEC builds squarely on this
legacy, advancing our mission to link high-level science with the needs of Mississippi
communities.”

The initiative builds on the university’s partnerships with the JHS Community Engagement
Core, My Brother’s Keeper Inc. and Hattiesburg Clinic, ensuring training is rooted
in community priorities and informed by real-world healthcare challenges.

“Our partnerships with trusted community organizations will allow scholars to gain
practical experience and develop research that translates into meaningful health improvements,”
said Lemacks.

The GTEC directly supports the mission of the JHS, the largest community-based investigation
of cardiovascular disease among African Americans in the United States, and reflects
USM’s commitment to developing the biomedical workforce and advancing health for all.

The project has been funded in whole or in part with federal funds from the National
Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and National Institute on Minority Health and Health
Disparities, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services,
under Contract No. 75N92025D00039.

About the College of Nursing and Health Professions

The College of Nursing and Health Professions at The University of Southern Mississippi
is an engaged interdisciplinary community of diverse students, staff, faculty and
external partners dedicated to excellence in research, teaching and service. Through
innovative and evidence-based practices, the College creates an educational environment
that supports student success and prepares highly qualified professionals to improve
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About the Gulf South Center for Community Engaged Health Research and Innovation

The Gulf South Center for Community Engaged Health Research and Innovation is dedicated
to improving health outcomes across Mississippi and the Gulf South by fostering collaborative
research, community partnerships and workforce development. With a mission to reduce
health disparities and promote healthy aging, the center brings together scientists,
healthcare professionals and community stakeholders to develop practical, evidence-based
solutions. Its work focuses on addressing preventable chronic and infectious diseases
that disproportionately impact Mississippi’s communities. Follow us on social media:
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