West Virginia IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence
Part of the National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) Institutional Development Award ( IDeA ) Program , the West Virginia IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence ( WV-INBRE ) is a statewide project designed to build a consortium to enhance biomedical research training opportunities at undergraduate institutions . The WV-INBRE is an extension of the West Virginia Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network ( WV-BRIN ) and was established in 2004 after Marshall University , in partnership with West Virginia University , received a three-year NIH BRIN planning grant in 2001 . Rankin is the principal investigator for the project , which has now completed its fourth phase and been renewed for another five years . Addiction is the latest area of research .
“ WV-INBRE has helped so many college and university faculty members around the state develop their research careers by providing funding for their biomedical research projects and much needed infrastructure for their institution ,” Rankin says . “ The summer research program and research projects funded at the undergraduate institutions in West Virginia have also provided research training experiences to more than 1,500 West Virginia college students . “ Collectively , the WV-INBRE program has brought more than $ 90 million to our state with an economic impact of almost $ 200 million .”
my schooling and give me a tank of gas a week for my car ,” Rankin says . “ He also taught me to respect others , be fair and help those who needed help . Those have been values that have helped me through all phases of my career and life .”
Rankin has received a number of professional accolades throughout his career , including the Joseph Sam Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at University of Mississippi ; Researcher of the Year Award from the West Virginia affiliate of the American Heart Association ; 2019 American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Division of Toxicology Career Award ; the first Meet the Scholar Award and the Faculty Salute Award from Marshall and several professor of the year distinctions . He has also received Excellence in Teaching , Excellence in Leadership and Excellence in Mentoring distinctions from the Marshall University Joan C . Edwards School of Medicine .
Rankin was also selected as an honorary alumnus in 2018 .
“ While many of these honors are very special to me , being selected as an honorary alumnus of our medical school means the most ,” he says .
From undergraduate students to postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty , Rankin has been a mentor for individuals at all levels of their education and careers .
“ I have been very fortunate throughout my career and feel that helping others grow and develop their careers is important and helps develop the next generations of scientists , physicians and teachers ,” he says .
Outside of his work , Rankin is dedicated to serving his community through the Huntington Museum of Art by sitting on different committees . He is an avid birder and has been a member and officer of several local bird clubs , has helped develop several bluebird trails in the Huntington area and often talks to
groups about bird feeding , migration and his personal adventures in the field .
After experiencing the beauty of West Virginia during a graduate school trip , Rankin felt he could live in the Mountain State one day . When he received the offer of a faculty position at Marshall years later , Rankin says he felt like he had come home .
“ I have always found the people of West Virginia to be some of the best ,” Rankin says . •
WWW . WVEXECUTIVE . COM WINTER 2025 87