Student Profile: Marcus Randall

Marcus Randall is a summer research intern in the Musculoskeletal and Orthopedic Biomechanics Lab under the direction of Katherine Boyer, a professor in the Department of Kinesiology and in the Muscle Biology lab under the direction of Mark Miller, associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology.  

Q: Explain what you are researching and your daily role in the study.

I am currently working in Professor Katherine Boyer’s Musculoskeletal and Orthopedic Biomechanics and Professor Mark Miller’s Muscle Biology lab. In Professor Boyer’s lab, I am learning how to train an AI model to be able to accurately discern muscle tissue from other tissues in MR images of the thigh in various persons.  

In Professor Miller’s lab, we are researching the effects of different training programs on skeletal muscle function in older men and women. In Professor Miller’s lab, I help our team analyze skeletal muscle fibers. I am also concatenating and analyzing data that will be used later this summer for research.  

Q: What made you interested in this research?

I have always been interested in muscle biology and biomechanics. Working in both Professor Boyer’s and Professor Miller’s labs was an amazing opportunity that allowed me to obtain a deeper understanding of both worlds which will help me better understand the path I want to take going forward.  

Q: How have your experiences at UMass prepared you for research?

Before coming to UMass, I was certain I wanted to do STEM, specifically medicine. Although I was passionate about this interest, it was still very broad. UMass’ classes, opportunities, mentors, and professors have helped me narrow my focus and develop skills that I can apply to my research. Some of these skills are the willingness to ask questions, learning not to be afraid of mistakes or failure, and the ability to be confident in myself. All these skills have been strengthened during my time at UMass and have prepared me for my research and will continue to prepare me for my future endeavors.

Q: What about this internship excites you the most?  

Doing research, working with professors, and learning how to develop myself for the professional world are all things that excite me about this internship, however, what excites me most about this internship is being in an immersive learning environment. The environment created by Professor Boyer, Professor Miller, and my lab mentors have created an environment that allows me to learn from my mistakes and acknowledge my successes. This ability will be invaluable to me as I progress academically and professionally.  

Q: What do you hope to do in the future, either at UMass or after graduating?

In the future, I hope to become a sports medicine physician.