SMU enters Mayo Scholars Program partnership

In June 2007, Saint Mary’s accepted an invitation to partner with Mayo Clinic and other Minnesota private colleges and universities to offer business and science students a unique opportunity to become a Mayo Scholar.

Other participating schools are Augsburg, Carleton, Concordia (Moorhead), Gustavus Adolphus, Macalaster, St. John’s/St. Ben’s, St. Olaf and St. Thomas.

The Mayo Scholars Program offers an opportunity for selected students to research projects submitted by Mayo Clinic professionals through the Mayo Clinic Office of Intellectual Property. The program is a collaborative effort between Mayo Clinic and Minnesota private colleges and universities. Financial support is provided from the Medtronic Foundation and the Mayo Clinic Office of Intellectual Property; administrative support is provided by the Minnesota Private College Council. Student participants may earn academic credit for this experience, with the approval of their department and the program advisors.

Saint Mary’s team members are Amanda Christman, Bethany Kaufmann, Daniel Murray, and Holly Schuh. The Saint Mary’s faculty advisors for 2007-08 are Dr. Tom Marpe (Business Department) and Dr. Randy Krainock (Biology Department). Advisors will work closely with the team on their assigned project, titled “Methods and Material for Treating Digestive Motility Disorders.”

Students will have until March to work on their project, collect research and develop a presentation of their findings. The Saint Mary’s Mayo Scholars Program team will present their final report in March 2008 at the Mayo Clinic. If you have questions about the program, contact one of the advisors mentioned above.