Macy Gilmour Awarded Mary Gates Research Scholarship

Please join us in congratulating Macy Gilmour, an undergraduate research assistant at the Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute, on being awarded a 2025 Mary Gates Research Scholarship!

This achievement is a reflection of Macy’s hard work and passion for research. We can't wait to see her scientific project come to fruition.  

Mary Gates Research Scholarships are competitive scholarships intended to enhance the educational experiences of undergraduate students at the University of Washington while they are engaged in research.

As a scholarship recipient, Macy will engage in a scientific research project under the mentorship of Haroldo Rodriguez, a Molecular Medicine and Mechanisms of Disease (M3D) PhD student at the University of Washington, and member of the MC3 Institute.  

“Macy’s dedication and enthusiasm represent the best of science,” says Haroldo. “Her previous and ongoing research have already shaped our understanding of MCC biology and immunology, even though she has only been doing bench work for a little over a year! I am incredibly proud of all her accomplishments and super grateful to have her as my mentee.” 

Macy’s scientific project will aim to deepen our understanding of the immune system’s role in combating Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). 

“I will analyze the frequency of certain immune cell variants in the blood of MCC patients who receive immunotherapy and compare these cellular differences with cancer outcomes.  

Originally from Nashville, Tenn., Macy first joined the MC3 Institute via the laboratory of Dr. Paul Nghiem in 2023 as an undergraduate research assistant. She is a graduating senior at the University of Washington majoring in Biochemistry. Outside of her academic and research commitments, she enjoys hiking, playing tennis, and listening to French podcasts. 

"Receiving this scholarship is an honor and has shown me the importance of perseverance," says Macy. "As I prepare to graduate this spring, this award will allow me lead the project in a more self-directed manner, equipping me with scientific and organizational skills I can take beyond graduation. I am especially grateful to my mentors and the MC3 team for their ongoing support!"