milwaukee – A high school dropout and a tough childhood, a local woman overcomes difficulties by becoming an award-winning scientist.
In the Wisconsin Medical College lab, you don’t need a microscope to find Amanda Marks’ focus.
“What really drives me is that I love what I do,” Marks said.
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Marks studies kidney disease.
“I have kidney weakness,” Marks said. “Kidneys are amazing. They’re underrated.”
Marks’ journey to this lab is as complex as the organs she studies.
“I grew up in a precarious home environment filled with mental illness and other addictions,” Marks said.
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Marks dropped out of high school at 16, became a single mother at 25, and decided to go back to school. Marks is preparing to receive her PhD on Saturday, January 28th.
“I dropped out of high school and got a PhD,” Marks said.
For Marks, this achievement is something she never expected.
“Ten years ago I didn’t believe this world existed. Five years ago I didn’t believe this world existed, let alone that I could be a part of it. No,” Marks said.
Marks is grateful to mentors like Alison Kriegel for giving him the opportunity to succeed in science.
“I think one of the most important qualities of a scientist is resilience,” says Kriegel. “It’s really important to understand that sometimes people’s lives don’t go in a straight line.”
Marks won two awards for her research on kidney disease in the summer of 2022, but her impact isn’t over yet.
“I truly believe that if you are dedicated, passionate, and believe in what you do, you can do anything,” Marks said.
Marks hopes to defend her paper this spring.
