Mayo collaboration
Groundbreaking innovation
Over the past academic year, our groundbreaking collaboration with Mayo Clinic has grown exponentially, giving more students unique research opportunities and bringing to light significant discoveries in improving patient care and outcomes.
The following collection of stories highlight innovative research collaborations connecting Blugold faculty and students with Mayo Clinic physicians and researchers, and will introduce you to our inaugural cohort of Biomedical Innovator Scholars. These 10 first-year students will impress and inspire you with their eager dedication to medical research and discovery. Our upper-level undergraduate researchers spark pride in the Blugold family as they prepare to graduate and take their depth of knowledge and understanding into the worlds of industry, medicine and graduate school.
Take in these stories of trailblazing collaborations — Blugold experiences that will solidify UW-Eau Claire as the premier pre-med institution in the Midwest, a place able to offer undergraduate research experiences like no other.
I am so glad to be involved, not only for the undergraduate research, but to be able to better the lives of patients as well. I never expected to be able to have such an impact on others so early in my college career.
Data driven patient care
Dr. Rajeev Chaudhry — an expert in analyzing large datasets to help health care organizations improve patient care — began a new role with Mayo Clinic Health System that includes time to work with UW-Eau Claire faculty, staff and students on research.
Meet the Biomed Scholars
Meet the exceptional Blugolds who have become the first-ever Biomedical Innovator Scholars at UW-Eau Claire, and learn about their first year of collaboration with Mayo Clinic researchers.
Biomedical Innovator Scholars at work
Here are a few images of our innovator scholars at work in labs conducting research, in some cases specific to individual Mayo patients, that will someday result in better real-life patient care and outcomes. Keep in mind, these are first-year undergrads — it's really quite extraordinary!
3D printing of aortic aneurysm
In materials science lab with Dr. Doug Dunham, BioMed scholars Saige Tichy and Maya Frodl are creating 3D printed models of abdominal aortic aneurysms. A Mayo physician is interested in using the models to train surgical staff.
3D printing of aortic aneurysm
Saige Tichy (left) and Maya Frodl then 3D print the models on a Formlabs 2 3D printer using an elastic resin material. These were printed for a physician to see if the flexible resin has the right physical characteristics for training purposes.
3D printing of aortic aneurysm
After printing the support structure, which allows printing in 3-dimensions, is cut away.
3D printing of aortic aneurysm
After the supports are removed, the models are cured using UV light to give the material its final properties.
3D printing of aortic aneurysm
Using segmented CT images of actual patients, models can be printed for each individual patient in advance of the surgery so that the exact procedure can be practiced before the surgery takes place.
Biologic foam research
The research team discusses the experimental strategy to complete lab experiments to move the biologic foam project forward.
Biologic foam research
Kira Haus and Marshall Apps prep the experimental setup while senior research student Aaron Ellefson provides project updates to Dr. McBride and Dr. Glogowski.
Biologic foam research
Senior researcher Cuyler Monahan supervises as Biomedical Scholars Kira Haus and Marshall Apps transfer biologic foam for lab testing to determine mechanical properties and stability as a function of time.
Biologic foam research
First year undergrad Biomedical Innovator Kira Haus tests stability and stiffness of the biologic foam in the lab setting, needed for advancing the project to the clinical setting.
Genetics research project
Dr. Lyman Gingerich's lab team examines effects of DNA variants key in genetic diseases by using mouse cell cultures. Caterra Leavens is working in the biological safety cabinet and adding fresh media which will provide nutrients for the cells to grow.
Genetic research project
Freshman Biomedical Innovator Scholar Kati Sadowska is using an inverted microscope to check the health of the growing cells.
Genetics research project
Kati Sadowska and Lyman Gingerich go over latest cell developments. Finding a variant with an effect on DNA can have implications for access to certain medications, family planning, and the satisfaction of knowing for a patient.
Genetics research project
Lyman Gingerich and the lab team reviews protocols and calculations as we plan for the next steps in the experiment.
Sponsor a Biomedical Innovator student: Your gift can save lives
Every day that our Biomedical Innovator Scholars spend in the lab with their fellow students, faculty and Mayo researchers, they come one step closer to a discovery that can truly improve patient care or outcomes, and potentially save lives. How many undergraduates get to say that? Very few.
If you have a passion for STEM research, you have connections to the field of medicine, or you simply want to support transformative student experiences, your gift can make all the difference. Take, for instance, the Jerry Longridge Scholarships in Nursing and Biology.
Established just this year, this estate gift to the UW-Eau Claire Foundation will fully fund two annual Biomedical Innovator Research Scholarships, as well as scholarships for diverse students in nursing or biology and need-based scholarships for students in those fields. These scholarships are all four-year renewable awards.
Blugolds are invited to contribute to the Blugold Biomedical Innovator Scholarship program through the UW-Eau Claire Foundation. Contact Julia Diggins, director of major gifts at digginja@uwec.edu or 715-836-3273, to discuss how to create a scholarship that aligns with your passions for student research opportunities at UW-Eau Claire.
Cutting edge Blugold researchers
The research project examining genetic disorders grew out of a working relationship between a UW-Eau Claire alumnus and his undergraduate research mentor.
Tissue-saving foam research
Student researchers use the creativity and problem-solving skills learned in materials science courses to test, experiment and compile data for a medical product innovation that could help protect cancer patients during treatment
As of late 2020
14
funded active research projects
Over
$570K
approved funding of collaborative projects
Mayo Collaboration Update Report
More than
30
student researchers impacted so far
In the lab with Mayo doctors
