“I am a rising senior graduating in spring of 2027 majoring in Biology and Biotechnology and minoring in Environmental Science. I am currently working on my honors thesis in Dr. Bashey-Visser lab under PhD candidate Morgan Familo which will be completed fall of 2026. I am studying Sterinerma nematodes and their obligate bacteria Xenorhabdus Bovenii and what happens when their mutualistic relationship breakdown. I am specifically looking at how the nematodes respond and the consequences of those responses. I also am a RA at McNutt quadrangle, a UTA for genetics, and have been a UTIN for C103. Lastly, I am a part of the club women's ultimate frisbee team, "Calamity Janes". I am hoping to go on to do a PhD in Microbiology or Evolutionary biology with the hopes of becoming a professor with my own research lab. I will be using these funds to help pay for conferences and trips to meet potential labs for my PhD.”

Madison is a rising senior with aspirations to pursue either an MD or an MD-PhD after graduating in 2026. Currently, she conducts research in the Patton Lab, where she studies foreign protein expression in recombinant Rotavirus strains. Madison has also gained valuable experience through two summer undergraduate research programs and will be transitioning to a new lab in the fall of 2025 to further expand her research skill set. She serves as the Vice President for Internal Affairs for Culture of Care and as Vice President of the Biotechnology Club, which she helped revive. Madison also works as an undergraduate teaching assistant in molecular biology and mentor underclassmen. Most recently, she was honored to be inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. Madison intends to use this award to support her preparations for medical school, including applications, interviews, and related expenses.