Tyce Marquez grew up in a rural community along the Colorado-Nebraska border, where his high school graduating class consisted of just six students. He went on to attend Dordt University, a small college in northwest Iowa, where he earned his undergraduate degree while playing collegiate baseball. Having grown up in rural communities with limited exposure to research opportunities, Tyce took a chance and applied to the University of Iowa’s master’s program in biomedical engineering, setting him on a different career path trajectory than initially planned.

Now a fourth-year PhD candidate in biomedical engineering being co-advised by Drs. Donald D. Anderson and Bopha Chrea, Tyce’s research focuses on orthopedic biomechanics of the foot and ankle, combining engineering with clinical care. His passion for this work stems from his athletics background and personal experiences with multiple orthopedic surgeries in high school.

Outside the lab, Tyce enjoys spending time with his wife, Audrey, and their Bernedodle, Eddie. He also enjoys staying active through fitness, watching sports, and being an outdoorsman.

Following his PhD, Tyce plans to pursue a Postdoctoral position to further prepare himself for a career in academia. He hopes to build a career that combines research and teaching.