Graduates of the Iowa Sciences Academy continue to pursue scientific research and communication in their respective fields, their hard work displayed through publications, awards, and other forms of recognition. The ISA is proud to represent former students throughout their scientific endeavors. This article features a recent conversation with a couple of ISA alumni along with sharing a list of outstanding accomplishments of the ISA alumni for the 2024-2025 academic year. 

We recently checked in with two former Iowa Sciences Academy (ISA) students, William (Will) Dong and Cole Belcher, to find out how their first year in graduate school is going. Both Will and Cole graduated from the University of Iowa in spring 2024 and participated in the UI-MARC Trainee program, which aims to develop undergraduates who transition to research-focused, PhD-related careers. They are both doing exactly that!

Meet William (Will) Dong, Alum of the UI-MARC Program 

Will graduated from the University of Iowa in May 2024 with a degree in Biomedical Engineering and is now pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University. He describes his first year of graduate school as a mix of familiar undergraduate experiences and new challenges. While he still has several classes, the focus is much more on extensive research work in graduate school. Will had the opportunity to rotate between labs before settling in the Markl Lab, which is part of the Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Group. This group aims to improve diagnosis and therapy planning for neurovascular and cardiovascular diseases through innovative imaging techniques.

Will's research is on medical image-to-image translation, specifically converting MRI images to CT images and vice versa. He uses AI to generate synthetic medical images, collaborating with a diverse team including a clinician, a medical student, a professor from the AI field, and several lab mates. He appreciates the collaborative and diverse environment at Northwestern and enjoys the active graduate student community, which offers various events and intramural sports.

Reflecting on his time at ISA, Will credits the MARC program for preparing him for graduate school by advising him on the PhD process, lab selection, and interview preparation. He found the ISA workshops on responsible conduct of research and the Teaching Your Research course particularly helpful. Will advises current ISA students to follow the program's guidance, try new things, and not be nervous about transitioning to graduate school. In the long term, Will is undecided about whether to join industry or academia after completing his PhD.

Meet Cole Belcher, Alum of the UI-MARC Program 

Cole graduated from the University of Iowa in May 2024 with a degree in Biology and is now a graduate student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the pathobiology department of the College of Veterinary Medicine. He plans to complete his Master's Degree in fall 2025 and defend his thesis before starting the doctoral program in spring 2026.

Cole finds graduate school like his undergraduate experience in Iowa, with a welcoming community and a collaborative research environment. He enjoys the intradepartmental conferences in graduate school where students share their research projects. Finding a way to juggle many responsibilities has been something Cole still works on, but he appreciates his advisor's emphasis on celebrating small wins to maintain a balanced life.

Cole's research focuses on refining diagnostic techniques for fungal infections in dogs, collaborating with a clinician at the veterinary hospital. He credits the MARC program for providing the support and resources needed to discover his passion for research. The program's impact was transformative, helping him gain valuable research skills and develop strong mentorship relationships.

Cole advises ISA seniors to reflect on their undergraduate achievements and to appreciate what they have accomplished. Most importantly, he says to have fun pursuing their passion for science and discovery. He dreams of leading a clinical diagnostic lab and experiencing life outside the Midwest, possibly in the Washington, DC area. 

ISA Alumni Recognition