Mary Sue Mayes, research scientist in animal science, is the recipient of the 2023 Professional and Scientific Research Award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University. Mayes has served as a microscopy, muscle biology and genomics laboratory research expert at Iowa State for more than 30 years. She has balanced many required tasks with her own independent initiatives to promote research. She has an extensive set of tools in her scientific repertoire, as well as a scientific mind that drives progress in and out of the laboratory setting. She excels at bringing new methods and techniques into the lab to provide new opportunities to answer scientific questions.
In addition to her impact on research, Mayes has created an environment for her colleagues and students to excel. She has mentored graduate students and fostered a welcoming research and learning environment for a host of undergraduate students and visiting scientists. A colleague states, “I believe that Mary Sue contributes to the scientific field personally through her own skill set in the lab with laboratory techniques, her ability to develop scientific and laboratory skill proficiency in others, and her talent in leading individuals and groups through complex scientific projects… Her involvement guarantees that a project will be completed on time and with the utmost quality and scientific rigor.”