On Friday, May 23, 2025, four students from Solon High School visited our department for an immersive experience in microbiology. The visit was part of their coursework under the guidance of their microbiology teacher, Dawn Posekany.

During their time here, the students engaged in a hands-on case study designed to identify the causal agent of a simulated outbreak at a high school. Using a variety of microbiological techniques, they worked through the investigative process much like real-world scientists.

Our own undergraduate students—Madeline Broghammer, Josefina Frisina, and Ebb Burrows—played a key role in the day’s activities. They assisted Dr. Regina McGrane in guiding the case study, shared insights from their undergraduate journeys, and offered valuable advice to the visiting students.

University of Iowa Academic Advisor, Bren Linley, also joined the session to introduce the high schoolers to the range of degree options available in our department, helping them envision potential academic paths in the biological sciences.

To round out the visit, the students toured the Roller Lab, where graduate student Marla Shaffer provided an engaging overview of her research and gave them a glimpse into the life of a graduate researcher.

It was a day filled with curiosity, collaboration, and inspiration—one that we hope sparked a deeper interest in microbiology for these future scientists.

Check out some highlights from the visit in the photos below!