In March 2026, Voigt accepted the University of Iowa’s Graduate Research Excellence Award, which recognizes students in terminal degree programs who are conducting research that makes a significant contribution to their field.
She recently answered a few questions about her aspirations, her path to Iowa, and what excites her about cancer research.
What is your program of study?
Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD), Cancer Biology Doctoral Program
Tell us about your path to a graduate program at the University of Iowa.
I attended Augustana University, a small liberal arts college in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where I majored in biochemistry. For most of my undergraduate career, I thought I would become a scientist—likely a chemist—but during a summer internship I shadowed an MD/PhD student for the first time and saw how clinical knowledge could inform the questions asked in the lab.
After graduation, I worked for two years as a research associate at Sanford Research in Dr. Michael Kareta’s lab, studying small cell lung cancer. I owe a great deal to him and to those years in his lab, because I gained many technical skills at the bench and clarity about my future in cancer biology research.
Why did you decide to study this field at Iowa?
I was drawn to the University of Iowa because of its remarkable dual degree program. It is one of the oldest MD/PhD programs in the country and one of the largest in the Midwest. Because this is a long training path—the average time to complete the program is eight years—I wanted to join a program that would support me throughout the entire process.
When I met the other students in the program, I was struck by how welcoming they were, how they maintained work–life balance, and their passion for their studies. The people at Iowa solidified my decision that this was the best program for me.
Another major strength is the close integration of the medical campus. University of Iowa Health Care is located directly next to the university (which is not the case at every medical school) and is home to the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. This was important to me because I wanted to pursue high impact cancer research during graduate school. A comprehensive cancer center is a designation from the National Cancer Institute that recognizes excellence in cancer research, clinical trials, and community outreach.
Tell us about your research. What accomplishments are you most proud of?
I work on a rare tumor called malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST), which arises from the cells surrounding nerves. The only cure is complete surgical removal, which can be impossible depending on the tumor’s location. As a result, there is an urgent need for new therapies.
My research focuses on the role of a protein called FOXM1 in this tumor type as a potential therapeutic target. Although FOXM1 promotes growth in other cancers, it has been studied sparingly in MPNST. My research confirmed that FOXM1 protein levels are elevated in MPNSTs compared to benign precancerous tissues.
Recently, a pair of scientists at the University of Illinois developed new and potent drugs that target FOXM1, and I am collaborating with their group to test whether FOXM1inhibiting drugs will kill MPNST cells or slow their growth.
Excitingly, my research revealed that these compounds kill MPNST cells in culture and shrink tumors in mice. It is gratifying to be among the first labs testing these promising new drugs, especially in MPNST, because patients with rare cancers are often the last to benefit from cutting edge therapies.
What are your career aspirations?
After I defend my PhD, I will return to medical school to finish my clinical training. I plan to complete an internal medicine residency followed by an oncology fellowship. My ultimate goal is to be an oncologist who leads a translational research lab focused on developing the next generation of therapies for patients. I envision working within a team of cancer biologists much like the tightknit group of scientists who have mentored me here at Iowa. I anticipate studying rare tumors in the future because we know far less about these cancers, and many important questions remain for patients.
What advice would you give to others who are considering your field?
Think carefully about what you enjoy learning about and doing. One of my favorite professors told me to choose what to study based on what keeps you excited even when the work becomes challenging. College is the perfect time to try classes or clubs that may not initially appeal to you, because what captures your interest could be surprising. And if something isn’t the right fit, you can always redirect. Good science (and work in any field) is driven by curiosity, so it’s critical to find an area that genuinely excites you.
Mentor name and department
Dawn Quelle, PhD, professor of neuroscience and pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine
Hometown
Rapid City, South Dakota