The ASM Student Chapter at the University of Iowa is a trainee-led organization that aims to connect Microbiology and Immunology undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral trainees through professional and social activities.
UIowa ASM Student Chapter Board 2025-2026
President: Marla Shaffer - Microbiology Graduate Program
Vice President: Kyle Rapchak - Microbiology Graduate Program
Secretary: Riley McFarlane - Microbiology Graduate Program
Treasurer: Swetha Ashokkumar - Microbiology Graduate Program
Microbiology Undergraduate Student Association (MUSA) Representative: Grace Gutzman
Faculty Advisor: Mary Weber, PhD
Meetings, Seminars, and Conferences
Undergraduate and graduate students have their own separate monthly meetings. The goals of these meetings are to discuss career development topics relevant to each trainee level. Additionally, all trainees gather twice a semester for joint meetings that either discuss professional topics relevant to everyone or social activities that support community building between postdoctoral, graduate and undergraduate trainees.
Our ASM Student Chapter also hosts faculty and student seminars each semester that are available to all trainees and encourage a low-pressure environment for trainees to engage with on-campus research.
Events
Spring 2026
January
- 1/29 - General Chapter Meeting, BSB 3-338 10-11:30am
February
2/4 - NIH Fellowship Application Info Session, BSB 2-501 12-1pm
This workshop will primarily focus on NIH fellowships for current graduate students and postdocs such as the NIH F31 and F32.
- 2/4 - Group Writing Session, BSB 3-338 1-3pm
- 2/17 - ASM Chapter Sponsored Seminar, Dr. Emily Speranza
- 2/18 - Group Writing Session, BSB 3-338 1-3pm
- 2/24 - Virtual Group Watch, BSB 3-338 3-4pm, ASM Distinguished & Waksman Foundation Lecturer Program Virtual Seminar
- 2/25 - Virtual Career Series, BSB 3-338 9-10am, ASM Career Pathways in Microbiology series
- Topic: Industry & Biotechnology
March
- 3/4 - Group Writing Session, BSB 3-338 1-3pm
3/11 - Mock Chalk Talk, BSB 2-501 12-1pm
This event offers a unique chance to experience a key part of academic interviews, where candidates present their research goals using only a whiteboard.
3/18 - Crafts & Snacks, BSB 3-338 1-3pm
Take a break with ASM. Grab a snack and craft a beaded plant for your desk!
- 3/25 - Virtual Career Series, BSB 3-338 8-9am, ASM Career Pathways in Microbiology series
- Topic: Science Policy & Advocacy
April
- 4/1 - Group Writing Session, BSB 3-338 1-3pm
Micro Student Coffee Hour
Topic: Transitioning to a job or graduate school after undergrad
- 4/15 - Group Writing Session, BSB 3-338 1-3pm
- 4/22 - Virtual Career Series BSB 3-338 8-9am, ASM Career Pathways in Microbiology series
- Topic: Clinical and Public Health Microbiology
- 4/29 - Group Writing Session, BSB 3-338 1-3pm
May
- TBD - ASM Sweets & Treats, EMRB Atrium
5/5 - Virtual Alumni Career Panel
Learn about a diverse array of career opportunities from successful Alumni!
- TBD - Postdoc Panel
Summer 2026
June
- 6/4-6/7 - ASM Microbe Research Conference
- 6/10 - Virtual Career Series BSB 3-338 9-10am, ASM Career Pathways in Microbiology series
- Topic: Food Microbiology
- TBD - Summer Lab Olympics
August
- 8/26 - Virtual Career Series BSB 3-338 1-2pm, ASM Career Pathways in Microbiology series
- Topic: Industry & Biotechnology
September
- 9/23 - Virtual Career Series BSB 3-338 1-2pm, ASM Career Pathways in Microbiology series
- Topic: Non-profits & Foundations
October
- 10/28 - Virtual Career Series BSB 3-338 1-2pm, ASM Career Pathways in Microbiology series
- Topic: Using Microbiology for Biofuels Discovery
November
- 11/18 - Virtual Career Series BSB 3-338 1-2pm, ASM Career Pathways in Microbiology series
- Topic: Entrepreneurship
2025 Summer Lab Olympics!
