Olivia Appel
Barnard College
Research Project: Therapeutic Hybrid Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery Across the Blood Brain Barrier
Faculty Mentor: Rizia Bardhan
Highlight: “Learning from the impressive scientific community at Iowa State has encouraged me to become more creative and curious in my approach to science, research and scientific communication.”
Jack Bonde
Iowa State University
Research Project: Assessing Genome Accessibility and the Impact on Microbial Factory Performance Using CRISPR-based Genome Editing Tool
Faculty Mentor: Zengyi Shao
Highlight: “BioMaP REU helped me understand the realities of research more fully and provided me greater experience with biological research.”
Tristan Boyer
Brandeis University
Research Project: Three‐Dimensional Whole‐Tissue Fluorescence Imaging
Faculty Mentor: Jing Yang
Highlight: “BioMaP REU helped me understand the process of conducting research and gain laboratory skills.”
Savannah Busch
Southwestern Minnesota State University
Research Project: Cell Migration Control Through Modulation of Multiple Directional Cues
Faculty Mentor: Ian Schneider
Highlight: “I am better prepared for graduate school because BioMaP REU provided me hands-on research experience.”
Elijah Erickson
Iowa State University
Research Project: Carbon Nanotubes Complex Fluids
Faculty Mentor: Eric Cochran
Highlight: “One of the most important skills I learned at BioMaP REU was how to apply science learned through lectures. I have a new perspective and there’s always more to learn.”
Laila Fortson
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Research Project: Immunomodulatory Nanovaccines Against Infectious Diseases
Faculty Mentor: Balaji Narasimhan
Highlight: “BioMaP REU helped me develop networking and problem-solving skills.”
Ashley Heimann
University of Kansas
Research Project: Toward Real‐Time Control of Cell Differentiation Using Reinforcement Learning
Faculty Mentor: Nigel Reuel
Henry Ho
Lone Star College – Houston Community College; Texas A&M University
Research Project: Lignin‐Based Engineering Thermoplastics
Faculty Mentor: Eric Cochran
Highlight: “The most important skills I developed through BioMaP REU are teamwork, time management, and patience, which is essential as a research scientist.”
Jared Kaczor
Iowa State University
Research Project: Compostable Core Shell Impact Modifiers
Faculty Mentor: Eric Cochran
Highlight: “BioMaP REU improved my ability to look at data and interpret the results.”
Aayush Lamsal
University of Iowa
Research Project: Probiotic Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Thomas Mansell
Highlight: “The most important part of BioMaP for me is learning the best way to perform many different lab skills. The practice I’m getting will definitely help me get a head start on things I will do in grad school.”
Matt Laws
Iowa State University
Research Project: Compostable Core Shell Impact Modifiers
Faculty Mentor: Eric Cochran
Highlight: “Participating in BioMaP REU strengthened my patience and perseverance — much of research involves repetition when results aren’t making sense.”
Mia Lopez
Wartburg College
Research Project: Drug and Gene Delivery
Faculty Mentor: Surya Mallapragada
Highlight: “The most important skills BioMaP REU helped me develop are independent thinking and problem-solving. Not everything will work the first time or at all, so we have to develop our own way of solving problems. The relationships with my mentors and other students in the program are relationships I know I can count on in the future.”
Anna McCaslin
Iowa State University
Research Project: Next Generation Polytriglycerides
Faculty Mentor: Eric Cochran
Highlight: “My BioMaP experience prepared me for my career by exposing me to the processes of publication, experimental design and independent lab work.”
Brooklyn Mills
Grand View University
Research Project: AI‐driven Design of Alpha Helical Proteins
Faculty Mentor: Ratul Chowdhury
Highlight: “Through BioMaP REU, I gained useful experience in new methods/tools researchers are using for drug design/discovery as well as experience working with other professionals.”
Huy Nguyen
Iowa State University
Research Project: Electrosynthesis of Biobased Adipic Acid
Faculty Mentor: Jean-Philippe Tessonnier
Highlight: “BioMaP REU helped develop my research skills, including the ability to conduct literature reviews, analyze scientific data, critically evaluate research findings and execute experiments or fieldwork. I also learned to be adaptable when encountering unexpected challenges or setbacks.”
Jefferson Roberts-Dobie
Iowa State University
Research Project: Polymers for Sustainable Pavements
Faculty Mentor: Eric Cochran
Highlight: “I think the most important thing I learned is to ask questions even if I think they might not be good questions. A lot of the important things I have learned have come from me asking questions.”
Brizeyda Rojas Tapia
Community College of Denver
Research Project: Biobased Powder Coatings
Faculty Mentor: Eric Cochran
Highlight: “Thanks to the BioMAP REU program, I learned to work in a laboratory and the importance of following procedures and teamwork.”
Elizabeth Teresa-Apolonio
Manhattan College
Research Project: Interfacing Biocatalysis and Electrocatalysis for Modular Electrochemical Manufacturing
Faculty Mentor: Jean-Philippe Tessonnier
Highlight: “BioMaP REU enhanced my ability to collaborate effectively, and to communicate research findings.”
Kyle Tsujimoto
Iowa State University
Research Project: Powder Based Coatings
Faculty Mentor: Eric Cochran
Highlight: “BioMaP REU helped me learn to work independently in a lab. I also gained experience using a variety of equipment used in chemical engineering labs.”
Jaylie Van’t Hul
Des Moines Area Community College
Research Project: Actuatable DNA Origami Structures for Drug Release
Faculty Mentor: Ian Schneider
Highlight: “Through BioMaP REU I improved my technical skills in the lab as well as my professional skills outside of the lab.”
Charles Yung
Grinnell College
Research Project: DNA‐directed Patterning to Study Tumor Microenvironments
Faculty Mentor: Molly Kozminsky
Highlight: “I learned about the scientific method through mentored research. I developed the skills to read and understand scientific literature and how it applies to the laboratory.”