The UI-MARC (Maximizing Access to Research Careers) Fellowship program, funded by the NIH, is dedicated to supporting the academic and personal success of junior and senior University of Iowa students who are committed to pursuing a Ph.D. or combined M.D./Ph.D. program after graduation. This year’s cohort of 12 MARC Fellows has had an eventful fall semester, balancing coursework, research, presentations, graduate school applications, and travel to regional and national conferences. Over half of the MARC Fellows are returning ISA students, having previously participated in the Science Alliance or Latham programs.  This year’s MARC Fellows include Liz Barroso, Fabiola Castaneda-Santiago, Seren Castellano, Quinn Eldridge, Liz Elias, Lee Flores, Klaertje Hesselink, Jasmine Hoeger, Natalie Kehrli, Abby Myroth, Jessie Newbanks and Avery Wilson.  

One of the key requirements for MARC students is to conduct hands-on mentored research and present it at a minimum of two different events each year. Several faculty members serve as mentors for ISA students. Biology department Professor John Manak, Ph.D. shared this about his experience mentoring ISA students: “The students from the Iowa Sciences Academy who have worked in my laboratory have been amongst the best undergraduate researchers I’ve had the pleasure to mentor, and I’ve mentored a lot (65+ over the course of my career). They not only have excelled in terms of the quality of their work, but also regarding their long-term commitment to the lab, thus enabling the generation of a substantial body of research.” Professor Manak is currently mentoring ISA MARC Fellow Jessie Newbanks.   

This fall, Klaertje Hesselink, Natalie Kehrli, and Abby Myroth showcased their research at the Fall Undergraduate Research Festival (FURF) on November 6th. Several students took advantage of the travel funding support from the MARC program to present at conferences. This semester, the following students presented at regional and national conferences: 

MARC Fellows are also required to enroll in ISA coursework. This fall, many of them took ISA:4040 Teaching Your Undergraduate Research, a course designed to provide a full teaching lifecycle experience. Students design a teaching unit, teach it to peers, and receive feedback to iteratively improve their teaching. Graduate Assistant Joe Starr, the course instructor, redesigned the course to include ungrading, which mirrors the advisor-student relationship in graduate school and the manager-employee relationship in industry. 

MARC student Abby Myroth shared that this class has enhanced her ability to explain her research to various audiences, making her a better scientist. Klaertje Hesselink found the course particularly challenging and rewarding as it required her to break down complex topics for an audience with limited background knowledge, deepening her understanding of her research and highlighting the importance of clear communication. 

Beyond research and coursework, the MARC Fellows have found immense value in being part of the ISA community. Jasmyn Hoeger expressed that, for the first time, she found a group of fellow undergraduates with similar goals. This community has provided her with peers and mentors who have helped her navigate graduate school applications. 

First-generation MARC student Natalie Kehrli described her experience as transformative. Coming from a small, rural town in Iowa with little knowledge about research and career opportunities, Natalie’s confidence and foundational research skills have grown significantly through the ISA. She emphasized that the MARC program has not only provided invaluable training but also given her a sense of belonging in a field she once felt distant from. 

The UI-MARC Fellowship program is a cornerstone of the Iowa Sciences Academy, offering students unparalleled support and opportunities to excel in their academic and professional journeys. Through rigorous coursework, hands-on research, and a strong community, the MARC Fellows are well-prepared to pursue advanced degrees and make significant contributions to the scientific community.  With some of the current MARC Fellows completing the program in May 2025, we will be opening the application portal with priority applications due by 2/10/2025. If you know of a student that might be interested in applying, have them check out the ISA Website for additional information.