This winter, four Macalester students tackled a complex biomedical technology project on mesothelioma\u2014a rare cancer that develops in the linings of the lungs, abdomen, or heart and claims thousands of American lives each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u20132026 Innovation Scholars program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“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,\u201d said program coordinator Liz Bolsoni.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Macalester\u2019s team featured:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d said Bolsoni.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, Innovation Scholars (formerly Mayo Innovation Scholars) has seen 94 Macalester alumni participate since 2006\u2014reflecting the college\u2019s long-standing dedication to interdisciplinary learning and community engagement.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Celebrating 20 years of Innovation Scholars, Macalester students bridge the gap between lab research and the marketplace through a complex Mayo Clinic project.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1271,"featured_media":32007,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[677],"class_list":["post-31715","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academics","tag-student-research-and-creativity","mediatype-articles"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t