This winter, four Macalester students tackled a complex biomedical technology project on mesothelioma—a rare cancer that develops in the linings of the lungs, abdomen, or heart and claims thousands of American lives each year.
Their charge: analyze three biomarkers to predict patient response to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies. At the end of their project, they presented their recommendations to a team of Mayo Clinic researchers and licensing associates in Rochester as part of the 2025–2026 Innovation Scholars program.
Innovation Scholars is a nationally recognized experiential learning program that brings liberal arts undergraduates together to explore the intersection of science, healthcare, economics, and entrepreneurship. Working in teams, students analyze real-world challenges and recommend next steps for inventions and emerging products.
“Each year, it is a joy to see a new team of students with different skill sets and backgrounds work together on the complex and important issues brought forward,” said program coordinator Liz Bolsoni.
Macalester’s team featured:
- Bailey Lengfelder ’26, economics and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies major
- Tran Dong Nguyen ’28, economics and statistics major
- Gabriella Nieves ’26, statistics major
- Moriah Weiss ’26, biology major
“I was very impressed and pleased to see this team gain confidence in their role on the team and trust in each other, which culminated in a well-constructed report and engaging visual presentation,” said Bolsoni.
University of St. Thomas MBA student Stephanie Ayala led the team, with additional guidance from Macalester faculty Felix Friedt, Taylor Okonek, Bridgit Jordan, and Philip Rivera.
Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, Innovation Scholars (formerly Mayo Innovation Scholars) has seen 94 Macalester alumni participate since 2006—reflecting the college’s long-standing dedication to interdisciplinary learning and community engagement.