Spring 2025 Grad: Mason Polencheck

Mason Polencheck focuses his research on mudpuppies

Mason Polencheck, who grew up in Ashland, Wisconsin, will be graduating this spring with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology and zoology. In this Q&A, he talks about his research on mudpuppies all over the state and his extensive involvement in student organizations. He plans to get a master degree in conservation science at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities and will continue his research on mudpuppies in partnership with the Minnesota DNR. You can watch his video interview at the bottom of the page or on YouTube.

Why did you choose your major? What was the most interesting or the coolest thing you learned?

I chose my two majors, microbiology and zoology, for a few reasons. I chose microbiology after a summer research experience at UW–Trout Lake Station where I studied bog-lakes and their microbial communities. I then added on zoology because I was interested in the relationship between animal systems and their microbial communities. I also thought by combining these two majors I would gain a broader understanding of how diseases spread in wildlife populations and apply these concepts to my own research.

The coolest thing I have learned is that the gut microbiome has been shown to influence our health, emotions, and what foods we crave! It is weird to think that the microbes in our guts can communicate with our brains without our knowledge. 

What student organizations, groups, and other activities were you involved in?

I have been a part of many groups and organizations throughout my undergraduate career. I was a part of the BioHouse Learning Community my first year, which was a really cool group to collaborate with in all aspects of biology. Through this community, I joined the Grow Program, which addressed food insecurity in the Madison area. I was a part of the Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve as a student board member my sophomore through junior years and came to really appreciate the preserve and all the work and research that goes on throughout the preserve. I have also been a part of the UW–Chapter of the Wildlife Society, the guest speakers and field trips are amazing for anyone interested in anything ecology related!

I have done research work in the Allen Lab in plant pathology, developing sensitive detection methods for a plant pathogen. I have also done limnological fieldwork and research in both the McMahon and Dugan labs here in Madison and up north studying bog-lakes. There is also my own research on mudpuppies with the McMahon and Hua labs, studying the microbial communities and a fungal pathogen associated with these unique salamanders. I’ve also spent the last few years doing the limnological and mudpuppy research at UW–Trout Lake Station. I’ve been all over the place!

What are your future academic and/or career plans, short-term and long-term?

In the short-term, I will be heading to the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities to start a master’s degree in conservation science with a focus on wildlife ecology and management. I will be collaborating with the MN-DNR to study the statewide genetics of mudpuppies. Long-term, I hope to earn a PhD in the realm of ecology and to eventually become a professor at a university.

What were the most valuable and/or meaningful experiences you had in CALS?

The most valuable experiences I’ve had are the multitude of student groups and research experiences I’ve been a part of. It is amazing to see the passion students and researchers have for their communities and fields of study, and how excited they are to share what they are working on.

When you think about your time here as a student, what are you proud of?

I am most proud of my research on mudpuppies throughout the state of Wisconsin. There hadn’t been research on these salamanders in the state for over 40 years, and I was able to fill in the knowledge gaps on this reclusive species. Along with this, I have been able to contribute to the broader knowledge of amphibians and the threats they are facing in our changing world.

Do you have any advice you’d like to share with CALS students?

Depending on what you are interested in, I would say join a club, organization, or lab on campus as soon as you can. Getting involved with a group of people that you can learn from and collaborate with is one of the most rewarding experiences you can get as an undergraduate. You may not be able to make every meeting or take on a lot of responsibilities, but you’ll be a part of a group and have a community to lean on.

The other piece of advice I’d share is to not be afraid to fail. I have learned the most from my failure in both the classroom and in the lab, and I feel that we are bombarded with the stigma that we should never fail in anything we do. It is human to mess up or make a mistake, no one is perfect. However, you have to learn from your mistakes and take those lessons into the rest of your life.

What do you like most about being a CALS student?

I might sound like a broken record, but I love that I have had ample opportunities to join student organizations and research labs as a CALS student. The courses offered are also amazing, as there is such a wide variety of topics to choose from and opportunities to explore your interests as a student.

If you had to eat one Babcock ice cream flavor for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

I would probably have to choose Union Utopia ice cream. I love peanut butter, but the mix of fudge and caramel with it just makes it irresistible.

What’s your favorite thing about the city of Madison?

My favorite thing about Madison is that, while it is the capital of Wisconsin, it still has places within the city where you can escape from the busy streets and relax. The Arboretum and the Lakeshore Nature Preserve are both amazing places to go and enjoy the woods and wildlife that inhabit them.