Senior Genetics & Genomics student Evelyn Browning has been named a 2026 Marshall Scholarship recipient, one of the most prestigious international awards recognizing academic excellence, leadership, and ambassadorial potential. The scholarship will support her graduate studies in the United Kingdom following her graduation from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
As a Marshall Scholar, Browning will continue her academic journey at the University of Cambridge, where she will study under Dr. Hilary Martin and contribute to research on neurodevelopmental conditions at the Wellcome Sanger Institute.
“Being a 2026 Marshall Scholar-elect still feels surreal even two months later,” Browning shared. “Four years ago, I wouldn’t have believed being where I am now is possible; I’ve grown so much during my undergraduate journey, and I’m incredibly honored to have the opportunity to continue that development at the University of Cambridge. Studying under and learning from Dr. Hilary Martin and her group is a dream come true, and I can’t wait to start contributing to the work being done at the Wellcome Sanger Institute.”
At UW–Madison, Browning has been actively engaged in research exploring the genetic and epigenetic basis of neurological disorders. She currently works in the lab of Dr. Steven Schrodi, where she studies the epigenetic regulation of familial idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). Her senior honors thesis focuses on analyzing DNA methylation data from affected families using novel statistical approaches to identify patterns between cases and controls, as well as among related individuals. This work aims to uncover potential biomarkers that could improve diagnosis and inform therapeutic strategies.
Reflecting on her undergraduate experience, Browning emphasized the impact of the Genetics & Genomics program: “From starting to plan for after graduation in my freshman year through the first-year genetics seminar, to gaining hands-on research experience in the labs of Dr. David Schwartz and Dr. Steven Schrodi, to receiving support from my advisor and genetics professors when applying to PhD programs, the Genetics & Genomics program has been at the heart of my undergraduate journey. I doubt I would have been able to fully explore what UW–Madison has to offer without their help and guidance.”
Browning’s achievement highlights both her dedication to advancing human genetics research and the strength of the Genetics & Genomics undergraduate program at UW–Madison. See the original article from the University here: https://news.wisc.edu/senior-will-take-next-step-in-science-with-prestigious-marshall-scholarship/