July 30, 2025
Through a strong combination of Hampden-Sydney engagement, support, and his own determination, Marc Moroz ’26 secured two Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) opportunities—conducting research at the University of Southern California (USC) and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).
The impact of Hampden-Sydney is felt in countless ways—through the unwavering dedication of the admission team, the guidance of faculty mentors, the commitment of staff, and the brotherhood of students who challenge each other to grow. For Marc Moroz ’26, this strong network of support not only helped him thrive on campus but also opened doors to off-campus research opportunities: first in the summer of 2024 at USC, and most recently at Caltech, where he conducted intensive research under the mentorship of faculty experts.
During his second semester on campus, Marc enrolled in a biochemistry course with McGavacks Professor of Biology Michael Wolyniak, who quickly recognized Marc’s enthusiasm and potential. Seeing his drive, Wolyniak encouraged him to pursue summer research on campus—an experience that later influenced Marc’s decision to apply for a REU, a competitive National Science Foundation-funded program that provides undergraduates with hands-on, faculty-mentored research opportunities at institutions across the country in a wide range of STEM fields.
“I quickly realized how much I enjoyed the hands-on lab experiences, especially at Hampden-Sydney, where we’re given real projects and encouraged to work through them with guidance from our professors,” Marc says. “Being able to reflect on the processes—what I was doing and why—was incredibly engaging for me.”
During the summer of 2023, Marc engaged in research involving the cloning of recombinant DNA to produce IGF-1 in E. coli, a process used in the tissue engineering of myofibers. The experience strengthened his lab skills and further fueled his passion for science. Determined to build on that foundation, he returned for his sophomore year on the Hill and continued to immerse himself in the lab, working with Elliott Assistant Professor of Chemistry Tim Reichart on biochemistry research throughout the academic year.
While taking Organic Chemistry (CHEM 230) in his sophomore year with Assistant Professor of Chemistry Glenn Gilyot, his enthusiasm once again stood out—prompting Dr. Gilyot to encourage him to apply for a REU opportunity. With ongoing support from Dr. Gilyot, Dr. Wolyniak, Dr. Reichart, and Professor of Chemistry Kevin Dunn, Marc submitted several REU applications. Although he initially planned to pursue summer research with Dr. Reichart, an REU acceptance letter from USC changed his course.
“Honestly, I wasn’t entirely sure what direction I wanted to take, so I applied to REUs across a variety of fields,” Marc says. “I really enjoyed working in biochemistry, but I was also open to exploring physical chemistry, organic chemistry, and other areas. In the end, a physical chemistry professor reached out to gauge my interest in astrochemistry—and I was excited and ready to give it a try.”
During the summer of 2024 at USC, Marc worked in the lab of Dr. Andrey Vilesov, professor of chemistry and physics and astronomy, under the guidance of Amandeep Singh, a senior research engineer. There, he performed infrared spectroscopy on unstable astrochemical ions—an experience that introduced him to advanced techniques in astrochemistry and broadened his scientific perspective.
Marc shared that during the interview process at USC, the selection committee was especially impressed by his strong understanding of the research he had conducted the previous summer at Hampden-Sydney—something that helped him stand out among candidates from larger institutions in what was an especially competitive year. While at USC, he also received praise from colleagues for his strong command of the English language, writing, and interpersonal skills—qualities that Hampden-Sydney works to instill in every student.
“Hampden-Sydney has certainly helped strengthen my writing, but it has also played a big role in developing my networking skills,” Marc says. “At USC, I made a point to wander about the labs, talk to professors, and introduce myself—even to postdocs who weren’t part of my lab or even on my floor. A lot of other students tended to keep to themselves, but I felt confident engaging with different people.”
Marc’s networking skills led to a connection with a postdoctoral researcher at Caltech, which prompted a visit to campus that summer. While there, he met a student who invited him to attend summer events—conversations and experiences that helped him build meaningful ties within the research community.
Building on these connections, during the 2024–2025 academic year, Marc presented his research from USC at Hampden-Sydney, the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS), and the American Chemical Society (ACS) national meeting. These opportunities boosted his confidence in discussing his work. At ABRCMS—where Marc was invited to attend and present with funding support coordinated between the conference and Hampden-Sydney—he met an individual who had conducted summer research at Caltech, which led to an introduction to the postdoctoral researcher in the lab he was interested in—further expanding his network.
Then, at the ACS conference in the spring of 2025, Marc presented a poster in the Division of Physical Chemistry, showcasing his project titled "Infrared Spectroscopy of Ethanium Cations in Helium Nanodroplets," which earned him the Outstanding Student Poster Award for Exemplary Research.
“I was incredibly grateful to receive the award because so much had gone into making it possible,” Marc says. “It was the result of Hampden-Sydney supporting my attendance at these conferences, the encouragement and guidance from dedicated professors, and the many people who helped me grow along the way—it really felt like the culmination of a strong joint effort.”
Upon returning from the ACS conference, Marc formally applied to the Caltech REU program. With his broad research experience, strong networking skills, and proficiency in writing, reading, and communication, he was accepted to spend the summer conducting research under Dr. Yanping Qiu, a postdoctoral scholar, and Dr. Tsui-Fen Chou, research professor of biology and biological engineering at Caltech. His summer research was focused on characterizing the intrinsically disordered region of a protein in vitro to better understand patterns linked to neurodegenerative diseases and various cancers—a cutting-edge project that builds on and expands his earlier work.
“I was surprised to be doing very similar activities at Caltech that I was at Hampden-Sydney,” Marc says. “The techniques were very similar, for example, running gel electrophoresis which brought me back to freshman year lab.”
Looking back, Marc recognizes that his strong academic background and outgoing nature have contributed to his research and personal development. His coursework in philosophy and his leadership in the Union-Philanthropic Literary Society helped him learn to communicate complex ideas with clarity—an essential skill in STEM—and encouraged him to reflect deeply on his values and priorities. Just as crucial was the guidance and encouragement he received from his fellow students, faculty, and staff, including Dean of Students Richard Pantele ’13, Associate Dean for Student Conduct & Character and Director of Greek Life Dwayne Bowyer ’92, President Larry Stimpert, Director of the Wilson Center for Leadership in the Public Interest Vinton Bruton, and professors like Dr. Wolyniak, Dr. Reichart, and Dr. Gilyot. Together, they provided the academic mentorship, personal support, and inspiration that helped Marc thrive.
Marc’s journey is a testament to what’s possible when talent meets opportunity—and when a student commits to pushing the limits of his own potential while never losing sight of those who helped him rise. His success reflects not just individual determination, but the collective power of a Hampden-Sydney education—where faculty invest deeply, staff support wholeheartedly, and students challenge each other to grow. For Marc, research was more than a pursuit of knowledge—it was a path to self-discovery, connection, and enjoyment.