Whitman Students Selected for Mayo Clinic Summer Fellowship

This year’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) has been awarded to Whitman College students Shahin Hamzeh ’27 and MinhThu Tran ’26. The two will spend 10 weeks conducting research at a Mayo Clinic site in Jacksonville, Florida. Mayo Clinic is one of the leading research hospital systems in the U.S. The program’s perks include mentorship, weekly seminars and networking opportunities with other SURF fellows.

Unlocking Treatments for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Shahin Hamzeh, a Davis UWC Scholar and sophomore Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology (BBMB) major from Syria, will explore the therapeutic effects of certain enzymes on neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding the enzymes’ biochemical pathways could help identify key targets for new interventions, potentially slowing or reversing disease progression.

“I’m very excited to be joining the lab in Jacksonville, Florida, where I’ll have the chance to design my own project in my field of study,” Hamzeh says. “After so much hard work and dedication, it feels like a dream come true!”

Hamzeh credits his research experience with the Dr. Robert F. Welty Professors of Biology Ginger Withers and Christopher Wallace for equipping him with the skills that paved the way for this opportunity. 

Hamzeh worked with Withers and Wallace in their lab at Whitman, where he developed his research and analytical skills. It was the mix of hands-on experience, relevant coursework, and support from his professors that helped him land the competitive research fellowship, he says.

Revolutionizing Disease Treatment Through Antibody Engineering

MinhThu Tran, a junior BBMB major from Vietnam, has been proactive about finding research opportunities since her first year at Whitman. 

“I first heard about Mayo Clinic while reaching out to professors in the Biology and BBMB departments in search of a summer research opportunity,” she says. Her professors played a pivotal role in guiding her toward opportunities, offering support in identifying potential research programs and helping her navigate the best approach for pursuing them.

“I have always been deeply interested in medical research and the biotechnology behind it, especially in developing innovative tools to treat diseases,” she says. “I want to contribute to the health of others by advancing these efforts.” 

She has been making full use of the college's resources to pursue her passion. From study abroad opportunities, which gave her insight into global medical research projects, to a research experience alongside Associate Professor of Biology and Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology Britney Moss, which honed her research skills, Tran acknowledges Whitman’s role in preparing her for the SURF Program. “Whitman makes it incredibly easy for students to gain early exposure to research opportunities,” she says.

Tran’s summer research will explore tools for antibody discovery and engineering. This could lead to more targeted diagnosis and treatment of conditions that involve inflammation and immune system dysregulation—such as chronic pain, ischemic stroke and breast cancer—as well as infectious diseases—such as COVID-19, Ebola and Zika. 

Tran is excited and grateful for the opportunities the fellowship will provide. “Experiencing firsthand what it's like to be in the medical field will give me valuable insights and hands-on knowledge that will shape my future career in medical research,” she says

Origins of a Partnership

In 2019, alum DeLisa Fairweather ’87 and former Assistant Professor of Biology Michael Coronado initiated the Whitman-Mayo Clinic partnership, affiliating the college with the highly competitive SURF program. Every year, one to two Whitman students receive the fellowship, along with a $6,000 stipend covering room and board for the summer experience. For 10 weeks, the students conduct research at a Mayo Clinic site in Rochester, Minnesota; Jacksonville, Florida; or Scottsdale, Arizona.

With past SURF fellows advancing to prestigious graduate programs and research positions at top institutions like Mayo Clinic, Rice University, and the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, this program opens doors to successful careers in research and academia.

Learn more about Whitman’s undergraduate research opportunities.