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Editor's Note: e following first appeared Nov.
23, 2020, on Iowa Now at now.uiowa.edu.
As an athlete on the University of Iowa women's
track and field team, Marissa Mueller has worked
hard at remaining calm under pressure. She
used those skills Nov. 21 as she interviewed for
the most prestigious opportunity of her college
career.
Mueller, who will graduate in May with a degree
in biomedical engineering, is from Petrolia,
Ontario, Canada, and on Nov. 21 was named one
of that country's 11 Rhodes Scholars. She is the
22nd University of Iowa student — and second
female — to receive the honor.
Beginning in fall 2021, Mueller will spend
two years studying stem cells and regenerative
engineering at the University of Oxford
in England. She says neither the Rhodes
scholarship nor any of her other achievements
would have been possible without dozens of
people at Iowa who have helped her — in the
classroom, in the neuromuscular biomechanics
research lab and on the practice field.
"So many people at the university believed in me,"
Mueller said. "ey helped me take advantage
of all these opportunities and helped me see the
potential in each of them, and in myself when
I didn't see it. ey inspired me to chase my
dreams. I am beyond humbled and thankful.
ere is no way anything like this would have
happened without that community of support."
Harriet Nembhard, dean of the College of
Engineering, was part of a mock interview panel
as Mueller prepared. Nembhard says she gave
Mueller homework aer the mock interview
so that Mueller could improve her answer to a
tough question.
"What sets Marissa apart is how she handled my
critique with grace and completed the follow-up
assignment," Nembhard said. "She was able to
communicate with both knowledge and empathy.
A student who can do this — even on a second or
third attempt — will be a positive force to change
the world."
Mueller is an example of how opportunities within
the college translate to success, Nembhard says.
"Our faculty get to know and mentor students on
an individual level. Students have opportunities to
gain valuable engineering experiences and equip
themselves with engineering ethics and skillsets,"
Nembhard said. "e result is rigorously educated
engineers who will solve problems to address the
needs of humanity and the welfare of society."
Laura Frey Law, associate professor in physical
therapy and rehabilitation science, has been one
of Mueller's mentors since Mueller began working
in her lab in 2018. Before coming to Iowa, Mueller
says she hadn't considered research, thinking it
wasn't for her. Looking back, she says it was one of
the best decisions she has ever made.
Mueller met Frey Law the second semester of
her freshman year when she interviewed to be
a research assistant in her lab.
"I felt overwhelmed and out of my league," Mueller
said. "e way that she explained these research
concepts to me, she was kind and understanding.
She's just an outstanding person, researcher,
and mentor."
