Laura Hovenga
Grinnell, Iowa

Summer Cancer Undergraduate Research Program at Iowa, summer 2023
The Summer Undergraduate Research Program gives undergraduate students the opportunity to explore a career in cancer research while gaining valuable experience. The summer program includes a cancer research courses, a research project, mentorship from faculty and graduate students or postdoctoral fellows and a clinician shadowing. Learn more

Major: Microbiology
Mentor: Catherine Cherwin
Next step: University of Illinois- Urbana-Champaign;  Microbiology PhD program

What thing or things did you enjoy most about the summer program experience?

I enjoyed the career experience of the summer program. The numerous opportunities for me to attend seminars and engage with professionals in a variety of careers raised my awareness and interest in career paths related to cancer research.

Had you done any research prior?

Prior to participating in the program, I had only completed research projects within undergraduate coursework at Wartburg College. These included things such as researching inheritance patterns of Drosophila and screening for antibiotic-producing bacteria present in soil samples.

Can you summarize your research project at Iowa?

I worked with Dr. Catherine Cherwin's lab to explore the effects of chemotherapy on the gastrointestinal microbiome of breast cancer patients. This included a project studying the effects of pet ownership on the gut microbiome of breast cancer patients compared to a healthy control group of the same demographic.

Did your experience in a research lab impact your interests and your career trajectory?

My experience at Iowa changed my career trajectory entirely. Prior to the summer program, I was prepared to start a career in clinical medicine. Conversations with Dr. Jon Houtman, one of the directors of this program, and being involved in the research process led me to realize my passion for microbiology research and apply to PhD programs.

What would you like to do after graduating with your PhD? (academia, pharmaceutical company, etc)

After graduating with my PhD, I plan to continue in research. Though I'm not yet sure which career path I will pursue, I could see myself in academia or biotechnology.