Two from MechSE win Mayo Clinic Undergraduate Research Fellowships

Each year, Mayo Clinic invites around 180 undergraduates from across the nation to participate in their Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program. Sponsored by the Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, this 10-week program gives undergraduates a chance to work at the forefront of biomedical research at one of the world’s leading medical centers. Students work in the laboratories of Mayo Clinic faculty on small research projects or as part of ongoing investigations, attend weekly seminars, and get to test their inclinations toward a career in biomedical research.

As part of the University of Illinois' longstanding collaboration, Mayo Clinic reserves seven spots each year for Illinois students who are chosen by the Mayo Clinic & Illinois Alliance pre-selection committee. Because students are selected for their innovative excellence, often more than seven U. of I. students are invited to participate in this prestigious undergraduate fellowship. This year, nine Illinois students will be participating in the SURF program—including two women undergraduates in MechSE.

Delaney Marringa (she/her) is a James Scholar studying mechanical engineering with a minor in biomolecular engineering. She works in the lab of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Professor Brendan Harley, where they are examining how stem cells interact within their bone marrow microenvironment. Marringa is also involved in Women in MechSE and serves as a Women in Engineering Advisory Board Liaison. Her Mayo Clinic mentor will be Dr. Maryam Rettmann, whose work focuses on image-guided interventions in cardiovascular medicine. Marringa plans to pursue a PhD in biomedical engineering.

Rene Mohammadi (she/her) is studying mechanical engineering. She also works in Harley’s lab on a project using 3D bioprinting methods to develop hydrogel-based models of endometriosis lesion etiology and progression. Mohammadi is president of the Illinois chapter of the Engineers in Action Bridge Program and serves as an Engineering Learning Assistant (ELA) for Grainger’s First Year Experience. At Mayo Clinic, she will be working with Dr. Marina Walther-Antonio on research using microbiome signatures to predict and intervene in gynecologic cancers prior to the development of malignancy. Mohammadi's goal is to become a research professor in bioengineering, contributing to groundbreaking advancements in women’s health and microbiology.