Q&A with Hilldale awardee Jacob Damro

Jacob Damro, a senior in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, has always had a connection to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With two alumni as parents, he grew up with a love for the Badgers and the campus at UW-Madison. His natural aptitude for problem-solving, science, and math led him to pursue a chemical engineering degree so he could learn a broad and versatile skill set applicable to multiple industries. This foundation in critical skills and his lifelong connection to UW-Madison has shaped his remarkable journey, culminating in a prestigious research award he received last spring.

Diving into research

When it came time to choose a research lab, Damro was intrigued by the biological side of chemical engineering. He saw a unique opportunity with Richard H. Soit Assistant Professor Mai Ngo, who was just starting her lab. “I saw a unique opportunity to participate in the start-up of a new research group in a field that I found interesting,” he recalls.

His research focuses on a critical global health challenge: brain cancer metastasis. Damro’s project, titled Microfluidic Modeling of Tumor Cell Extravasation to the Brain, aims to create a “tissue-on-chip” model of brain microvasculature. The goal is to study how tumor cells exit blood vessels and invade brain tissue, a process known as extravasation. This model could help scientists identify therapeutic targets to treat or prevent brain metastasis, offering hope for a disease with a poor prognosis.

The potential applications of this research extend far beyond brain cancer. “With some small tweaks,” Damro notes, “our tissue-on-chip model can help us study other aspects of brain cancer metastasis as well as other neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis.”

For this project, Damro received the 2025-2026 Wisconsin Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellowship, which provides $4,000 to the student recipient and $1,000 to the faculty project advisor to offset costs of research.

Personal impact and advice

This experience has not only deepened his scientific understanding but has also added a new dimension to his undergraduate journey. “Balancing my coursework with academic research as well as the meetings, conferences, and fellowship applications has added a lot of value to my experience because of the variety I had in my weekly tasks,” he says.

For students who might hesitate when getting involved in research, Damro has a clear message: just go for it. He didn’t join a lab until his sixth semester, and it has since become the most rewarding part of his college career. “Don’t feel like you aren’t ready for it or that it is too late,” he advises. “All it takes are some well written emails to a few professors and you can get involved in research that changes your entire career trajectory and perspective on chemical engineering, like it did for me.”

Damro is immensely grateful for the opportunities his research has provided, including writing his first research proposal. He thanks Ngo for her help and guidance throughout the process. “I have the opportunity to present my research at conferences and symposiums, attend graduate school, and have gained knowledge in a field outside of traditional chemical engineering; all of which I wouldn’t have been able to do without joining the Ngo lab.”

Beyond the lab

While his research is impressive, Damro’s life is far from all work and no play. He loves learning from and interacting with faculty, and he particularly enjoyed his time in summer lab. “My partner, Nathan Holland and I got to perform a variety of experiments including brewing beer, and making beef jerky and protein-based biofilms,” he shares. “Our hard work paid off when we won an award for best team at the end of the lab!”

He’s the Vice President of the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE), which helps students connect with the pharmaceutical industry. He’s also a student assistant within CBE, where he helps younger students navigate the tougher parts of their courses. He finds this work especially rewarding, “it allows me to help younger undergraduate students get through the tougher parts of courses that I also struggled with.”

Beyond his academic pursuits, Damro is a passionate athlete and musician. He enjoys being active through biking, swimming, skiing, golfing, and running. Currently, he’s preparing to run a marathon next year and hopes to run the Iron Man in the future. Last spring, his team won an intramural ultimate frisbee championship. He also recently took up a new hobby: playing the guitar. “I would love to plan in a band or with other people in some way in the future!” he shares.

His experiences at UW-Madison, from his research in the Ngo lab to a four-day hiking and camping trip in Canyonlands National Park, have shaped a well-rounded and dynamic individual. As Damro prepares to graduate and embark on the next chapter of his life, his story serves as a reminder of the power of curiosity, hard work, and the willingness to embrace new challenges.

Fun Facts

Flamingos or Badgers? Definitely Badgers.

Favorite Babcock Ice Cream Flavor? I’ve loved the Blue Moon Ice Cream since I was a kid!

Sweet Caroline or Jump Around? I would have to go with Jump Around.

Favorite study spot? Leopold’s is an awesome environment for a coffee and writing a report.

Favorite place for lunch grub? I just started going this summer, but Aldo’s Café in the discovery building has great food!

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