Ohio Northern University is sending not one, but three Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) students to the renowned Mayo Clinic this summer. It’s a rare honor in a highly competitive selection process.
Out of more than 300 applicants nationwide, only 40 students were selected for the Mayo Clinic’s 2025 Summer MLS Program, and three hail from ONU.
For Dr. Lisa Walden, it confirms what she already knows: that ONU students rock.
According to Walden, associate professor of laboratory sciences and director of ONU’s MLS program, this is the third year that ONU students have applied and been accepted into the Mayo Clinic’s prestigious summer program.
“One of our students was accepted in 2023 and one in 2024,” she said. “This year, all three who applied were accepted: Bella Russell from Massillon; Kate Armstrong from Tiffin; and Anthony Odu from Danville.”
All three will begin their senior year at ONU this fall.
Walden says ONU’s MLS program is unique for several reasons.
“We are the only accredited (National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science) private university in Ohio that offers an MLS degree,” she noted. “Our small class sizes, one-on-one faculty mentorship, and hands-on labs in every science course provides solid preparation for real-life situations.”
Medical laboratory scientists play a vital role in patient care by collaborating with physicians to diagnose diseases, monitor treatments, and analyze blood, tissue, and other samples using advanced lab equipment.
During the Mayo Clinic’s 10-week program, Bella, Kate and Anthony will perform supportive laboratory tasks such as aliquoting, extraction, centrifugation, instrument preparation and loading, and administrative tasks. They also will participate in a variety of lectures and workshops.
They look forward to a summer of learning at one of the nation’s top healthcare systems.
“This experience will show us how things really work in a hospital,” Bella says. “It will give us a great foundation for our senior year and our future careers.”
Bella is already gaining experience beyond the classroom. She serves on the student advisory board for the Getty College of Arts & Sciences and is a biology lab assistant.
Kate, who often represents ONU’s MLS program during Orange and Black Day and Polar Preview Day for prospective students, views this summer as a launching pad.
“It will help us understand what lies ahead and provide a solid base for us to build on,” she said.
Anthony appreciates that Professor Walden encouraged him to apply. He said the students who participated the past two summers told him it was a “fantastic opportunity.”
“Their recommendation made me want to apply,” he said, “and I’m glad I did.”
He added: “It’s really important for people in our field to experience different hospitals and see how each lab runs things. I’ve always been interested in science and have wanted to help people.”
After students complete their coursework in ONU’s MLS program, they spend one semester engaged in a clinical practicum. Right now, 10 seniors are completing their practicums.
“They are working under the eye of a certified laboratory scientist, putting into practice what they learned in class,” Walden said.
Currently, there are 28 students enrolled in ONU’s MLS program.