BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Annabelle Kwarten ‘28 and Ashley Oiler ‘29 have been chosen to receive undergraduate research fellowships through the Beckman Scholars Program. Kwarten and Oiler will be the last IWU students to be chosen as Beckman scholars, pending IWU’s re-admittance into the grant program.
Beckman scholars from institutions around the country complete long-term research projects in life science fields.
Kwarten, who is majoring in neuroscience and biochemistry, is sponsored by Associate Professor of Biology Tyler Schwend for her project studying embryonic development of corneal sensory nerves to understand the potential role for an extracellular matrix molecule in the cornea.
Oiler, who is a biology major, is sponsored by Associate Professor of Biology William Jaeckle for her project studying the ability of rotifers, an important component of freshwater ecosystems, to consume dissolved organic materials.
Each Beckman Scholar participates in the 15-month program for one summer, the following school year and the subsequent summer, which results in over 1,000 hours of research. The grant provides each student with a $18,200 stipend along with a budget for research supplies and additional travel opportunities.
When a school is accepted to participate in the Beckman Scholars Program, they are funded for three years, amounting to six scholars total. Associate Professor of Biology Richard Alvey said Illinois Wesleyan will re-apply this summer for the next cycle.
For a student to apply as a Beckman scholar, research experience was required.
“I’m grateful that I did research over the summer because it allowed me to be eligible for the Beckman Program,” Kwarten said, referring to her participation in the Summer Research Opportunities Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign during summer 2025.
“I am extremely honored and grateful to receive this award because it is an amazing opportunity with lots of benefits,” Kwarten said of the Beckman Scholars Program at IWU.
Kwarten hopes the experience will give her the knowledge and skills to continue doing research in the future as well as growing her communication skills as a science student.