Dr. Monica Lamm Announces Retirement
Dr. Monica Lamm, Co-PI and Associate Director for Education, Workforce Development, and Broadening Participation (EWD) for the Iowa NSF EPSCoR Chemurgy 2.0 program, will retire from Iowa State University on May 15.
During her time at ISU, Dr. Lamm has provided thoughtful, dedicated leadership in advancing education and workforce development initiatives while strengthening pathways into STEM. Following her retirement, EWD leadership will transition to Marcey Seavey of the University of Northern Iowa.
We extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Lamm for her service and lasting contributions to the EPSCoR community.
Looking back on your time at Iowa State and with the Iowa NSF EPSCoR program, what accomplishments or moments stand out to you most, and which achievements in your role as Associate Director for EWD and Broadening Participation are you most proud of?
The NSF EPSCoR funding has enabled us to bring talented people together to expand opportunities for students to engage with Chemurgy 2.0 research teams. My favorite moments are the conversations I have with students at the annual symposium. Visiting with students as they present their posters and explain their contributions to the science and engineering goals of the project is very rewarding.
You played a key role in launching Tri-Alpha chapters at Iowa State and other institutions. Why was this effort meaningful to you, and what impact do you expect to see on first-generation students?
Tri-Alpha is the national honor society for first-generation college students, with a mission to recognize academic excellence and provide a community of support and mentorship. I am very grateful the faculty and staff are committing their time to start new Tri-Alpha chapters at the University of Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa, and Iowa State University.
As you step into retirement, what are you most looking forward to?
I want to thank Laura Jarboe for giving me the opportunity to be part of the Chemurgy 2.0 leadership team. I have enjoyed being part of this project and I look forward to seeing the education and workforce development components continue to grow with Marcy Seavey’s leadership.
Tri-Alpha Chapters Grow Across Iowa
Momentum is building for new Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) chapters launching at Iowa State University, The University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa—joining five existing chapters statewide. Each campus is now establishing leadership teams and laying the groundwork for recruitment and programming to support first-generation college students.
At UNI, the Xi Psi Chapter has officially formed and plans to begin meetings this fall, with its first induction ceremony scheduled for spring 2027. Iowa State’s chapter is actively recruiting members and developing a mentorship program that pairs newer students with experienced first-generation peers to provide guidance and support.
More information on chapters across Iowa can be found here.
Additional updates on chapter progress and upcoming inductions will be shared throughout the year!
Ustilago Maydis Strain Development from Production of Itaconic Acid Student Presentation: Sam Richardson
Watch Sam Richardson, a graduate research assistant in Dr. Zengyi Shao’s lab at Iowa State University, share insights into the group’s latest research on using CRISPR to engineer the corn smut fungus Ustilago maydis to produce valuable plastic precursors.
Find the team’s latest research here.
Watch more student presentations on our YouTube channel here.
Translating to Demystify - What is Process Analytical Technology (PAT)?
North Tama County High School students Tyrus Luker, Nathan Reese, and Johnathan Cochran created educational videos demystifying advanced biomanufacturing as part of Dr. Lisa Chizek’s (Iowa State University) “Translating Information to Demystify Advanced Biomanufacturing” project, funded through the Iowa NSF EPSCoR Education and Workforce Development Seed Grant Round 1.
Guided by Dr. Chizek, the students observed graduate student Hamoon Nouri Pourazgomi’s work in Dr. Nigel Reuel’s lab, translating research on Iowa’s biomanufacturing innovations into accessible content for general audiences.
Watch their videos on our YouTube channel here.
Learn more about Hamoon’s research here.
More student-led projects spotlighting Iowa’s biomanufacturing research will be featured in upcoming issues and on our website.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No.2242763
Science with Cyclones: Spring 2026 Highlights
The Science with Cyclones event at Reiman Gardens on April 16, 2026, showcased student innovation and drew public and K-12 attendees. Our students impressed with their ability to communicate complex research to various audiences —from young to experienced—and inspired future scientists. We’re grateful to Reiman Gardens for hosting and to the Department of English for their partnership.
Relive the event through our photo gallery here.
Lunch and Learn with Qore LLC Now Available
Now on our YouTube channel: Andrea (Vanderhoff) Opp, Director of Technology and Sustainability at Qore LLC, shares insights into Qore’s mission to produce bio-based materials and highlights the collaboration between Cargill and HELM to advance sustainable solutions.
Watch the full talk here.
News
One-on-One HPC Training for Chemurgy 2.0 Participants
Chemurgy 2.0 participants can schedule one-on-one training on high-performance computing (HPC) at the University of Northern Iowa. Led by Brandon Schmidt, sessions cover system access, navigation, job submission, and strategies to accelerate workflows. Available in person or via Zoom and tailored to individual projects. Participants should schedule at least one day in advance by contacting Brandon directly at brandon.schmidt@uni.edu.
CBB Predoctoral Fellowships in Biotech (Apply by April 30)
Applications are now open for predoctoral fellowships through the Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing (CBB) at The University of Iowa. This biotechnology training program offers doctoral students in biocatalytic sciences hands-on research experience, industry engagement, and professional development opportunities. Apply by April 30, 2026, and learn more here.
IINSPIRE Summer REU Applications Open (Deadline May 1)
Iowa State’s IINSPIRE Summer REU offers paid, hands-on research experiences for STEM undergraduates. Applications are open through May 1, with rolling review and limited funding.
Learn more about eligibility, application materials, and program details here.
Questions? Contact Yiqi Liang at yiliang@iastate.edu.
Call for Proposals: 2026 Iowa STEM Summit (Submit by July 29)
The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council seeks proposals for presentations, panels, and roundtables at the 2026 Iowa STEM Summit (“Where Bold Ideas Take Flight”) on November 6 in Des Moines. Focus areas include innovative teaching, STEM leadership, partnerships, and emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing. 20- and 50-minute slots available; all STEM disciplines welcome. Submit by July 29 here. Questions? Email summit@iowastem.org.
More info here.
Events
Physics Day at Adventureland – Volunteers Needed for May 1
The South Central Iowa STEM Region is seeking volunteer mentors for a student STEM day at Adventureland. Mentors will meet with small student groups over lunch to discuss how STEM connects to their careers. No physics background required, all STEM fields welcome.
Lunch and park admission provided.
Fill out the registration form here.
In Our Backyard: A New Eco-Play Festival in Ames (May 1-3)
The EcoTheatre Lab, in partnership with the Ames Climate Action Team, will host In Our Backyard: A New Eco-Play Festival in Ames on May 1–3. This free, public festival features original plays, live music, and community conversations centered on sustainability, with events including:
Event Horizon — May 1 at 7 p.m., Labyrinth Coffee
Ten-Minute Plays! — May 2 at 10:30 a.m., Ames Public Library
The Monarchs — May 2 at 2 p.m., Ames Public Library
Jonah and the Flood — May 3 at 2 p.m., Labyrinth Coffee
EPSCoR E-CORE Office Hours (May 7 & 27)
The NSF EPSCoR E-CORE RII program strengthens statewide research ecosystems by building sustainable infrastructure and collaborative networks that enhance research capacity and competitiveness. Researchers and administrators in EPSCoR jurisdictions are invited to join virtual office hours to discuss the E-CORE RII solicitation (NSF 25-523).
Sessions will be held from 2–3 p.m. CDT on May 7 and May 27.
Register using your institutional email and submit questions in advance to epscor-core@nsf.gov. Full details here.
Meet-A-Scientist at Reiman Gardens (May 13)
Drop in at 9–11 a.m. on May 13 for hands-on activities, informal conversations with local scientists, and insights into current research. Free; no registration required.
More info and other Reiman Gardens events can be found here.
BioMADE: Navigating the UMN Biomanufacturing Ecosystem: From Tools to Industrial Scale-Up and Validation (May 20)
Explore the University of Minnesota’s biomanufacturing ecosystem, including tools, infrastructure, and pilot-scale resources that support scale-up. Webinar on May 20 at 11 a.m. CT. Register for the event here.
Lunch & Learn: Regulatory Pathways - Case Studies and Tips (June 19)
Join us for the next Chemurgy 2.0 Lunch and Learn on Friday, June 19, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM (CT), featuring Carl Ross, Director of Development at The University of Iowa’s Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing.
He’ll share real-world case studies and practical insights on navigating regulatory pathways in biomanufacturing.
Add to your calendar here.
Apply Now: ISU I-Corps Summer Cohort (May 22–June 19)
Applications are open for the free, virtual ISU I-Corps Summer Cohort. This five-week program helps researchers explore commercialization through customer discovery and entrepreneurial training.
Register by May 20 here.
Save the Date: 2026 Iowa NSF EPSCoR Symposium
The 2026 Iowa NSF EPSCoR Chemurgy 2.0 Symposium will be held on July 28, 2026, at The University of Iowa.
Agenda, registration, and poster submission details will be provided as the symposium date approaches.
Stay tuned for more details! Calendar link here.
Stay up-to-date with our Events here!
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No.2242763