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
Fall 2025
September
9/2 - Fellowship Application Info Session
This workshop will primarily focus on the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and include a brief overview of other fellowships, such as the NIH F31.
- 9/5 - Fall Kickoff Students vs Faculty Kickball Game
9/17 - Group Writing Session, BSB 3-338 1-3pm
A quiet space designated for graduate students to facilitate manuscript writing.
October
- 10/1 - First-Year Graduate Student Coffee Hour, BSB 3-338 11-12pm
10/13 - Micro Student Coffee Hour, EMRB Atrium 10-11:30am
A welcoming environment to foster relationships between graduate and undergraduate students in order to create a campus-wide microbiology community.
- 10/22 - Group Writing Session, BSB 3-338 1-3pm
- 10/31 - Halloween Party, EMRB Atrium 3-5pm
November
- 11/7 & 11/8 - ASM North Central Branch Meeting, University of Northern Iowa
- 11/19 - Group Writing Session, BSB 3-338 1-3pm
December
12/3 - ASM Sweets & Treats, EMRB Atrium
Come out and support our biggest fundraiser for our Chapter! Donations are used to fund bi-annual travel awards and support events sponsored by our Chapter.
- 12/10 - Group Writing Session, BSB 3-338 1-3pm
- 12/12 - Winter Holiday Party, EMRB Atrium 3-5pm
Spring 2026
January
- 1/29 - General Chapter Meeting, BSB 3-338 10-11:30am
February
2/4 - NIH Fellowship Application Info Session, Location TBD 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
March
- 3/4 - Group Writing Session, BSB 3-338 1-3pm
3/11 - Mock Chalk Talk, Location TBD 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!
April
- 4/1 - Group Writing Session, BSB 3-338 1-3pm
- 4/15 - Group Writing Session, BSB 3-338 1-3pm
- 4/29 - Group Writing Session, BSB 3-338 1-3pm
May
- 5/1 - ASM Sweets & Treats, EMRB Atrium
5/5 - Virtual Career Panel
Learn about a diverse array of career opportunities from successful Alumni!
June
- 6/4-6/7 - ASM Microbe Research Conference
- TBD - Summer Lab Olympics
2025 Summer Lab Olympics!
