Giving back: A new year of Exact Sciences Athletes

After a successful inaugural year, the Exact Science Athletes program is introducing a new class, setting the stage for another year of impact. 

New in the 2023-24 school year, the program lets Exact Sciences connect with UW-Madison athletes in name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements with broad benefits. Exact Sciences supports the university while reaching new audiences and cultivating potential workforce talent. UW-Madison wins with an assist to athletics recruiting. The athletes explore career options and build their personal brands while getting paid for their work.  

The program also provides opportunities for the athletes to lend a hand with local nonprofits doing work in areas that energize them. 

“We are thrilled to welcome a new group of Exact Sciences Athletes,” says Katie Boyce, senior director of corporate impact and community relations at Exact Sciences. “Our first-ever class showed up in inspiring ways last year, and we’re looking forward to another academic year of collaboration with our talented and dedicated ambassadors.” 

The 2023-24 athletes recorded 18.5 hours of volunteering and 20 hours of career exploration.  

Selected from a pool of more than 40 applicants, this year’s class of athletes shares a passion for community giveback. It also includes two athletes returning from last year’s group. These are the 2024-25 Exact Sciences Athletes:  

AUSTIN BROWN (returning)

Sport: Football   

Hometown: Johnston City, Illinois 

Major: Health Promotion and Health Equity  

About: “I had a great experience being an Exact Sciences Athlete last year. I was able to give back to my community and build connections I never thought I would have. I’ve lost a couple people in my family to cancer, so I understand the importance of early detection to help catch this disease sooner. I want to help in this fight so other people won’t lose loved ones.”  

CARTER GILMORE

Sport: Basketball   

Hometown: Hartland, Wisconsin  

Major: Consumer Behavior  

About: “After following last year’s athletes, I have seen the impact the Exact Sciences Athletes program can have not only for me, but for the entire Madison community. I have lost both my grandpa and my uncle to cancer in my lifetime. After seeing the toll it took on them, I would love to help prevent others from experiencing cancer.”

SOPHIA GRUENLING (returning)

Sport: Rowing  

Hometown: Marshfield, Wisconsin  

Major: Genetics and Genomics  

About: “I participated in the program in the 2023-24 academic year and gained so much wisdom and connections from the experience. I loved the personal connection of volunteering with Ronald McDonald House, and I’m honored to participate again. I’ve had many family members with cancer and have seen firsthand just how crucial early detection is, so Exact Sciences’ purpose really resonates with me.”  

ELISSA PERKINS

Sport: Track and field  

Hometown: Bolingbrook, Illinois 

Major: Nursing  

About: “I have a deep passion for public health, spreading health awareness, and tackling health disparities. These passions are why I went into nursing. I look forward to my professional career of helping patients and families through difficult times. Being an Exact Sciences Athlete allows me to spread awareness, educate, and tackle health disparities in my own community and would be a great catalyst for what I want my professional career to look like.”   

RONNIE PORTER

Sport: Basketball  

Hometown: Saint Paul, Minnesota  

Major: Family Studies  

About: “My whole goal in life has been to give back to where I come from. In my community, it’s rare to be in the position that I am in, so I want to use my platform to help put other kids in better positions to be successful.”   

CHLOE POWELL

Sport: Rowing  

Hometown: Menlo Park, California 

Major: Marketing  

About: “Although I am a business major, I have always had a passion for helping others. As an Exact Sciences Athlete, I not only get to represent a company that stands for a phenomenal cause, but also have the opportunity to establish connections and learn more about the health care field. On top of this, I am passionate about Exact Sciences’ mission to help catch cancer earlier, and I would be thrilled to help create as much awareness as I can about the importance of cancer screening and early detection.”   

LIAM SMITH

Sport: Rowing  

Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan  

Major: Personal Finance  

About: “The purpose Exact Sciences has to help eradicate cancer resonates with me on a personal level. Cancer has profoundly impacted my family, and I have seen firsthand the tremendous impact personalized care can have. I am passionate about contributing to and partnering with an organization that prioritizes individualized approaches to improving lives. Being an Exact Sciences Athlete allows me to channel my personal experiences, build my personal and professional brands, and create a meaningful impact in the Madison community and beyond.” 

JASON SWARENS

Sport: Track and field  

Hometown: Terre Haute, Indiana 

Major: Mechanical Engineering  

About: “As an athlete, I understand the importance of taking care of my body, and the mission of Exact Sciences aligns clearly with that. Similar to how athletes need to understand their bodies and when to seek treatment, it’s important that people know when to talk to their doctors about cancer and how to keep themselves healthy. I also feel strongly about mental health. It’s important to talk about mental health and understand that there are people to talk to in times of trouble.”  

BELLA VASSEUR

Sport: Hockey  

Hometown: Oregon, Wisconsin   

Major: Applied Mathematics, Engineering, and Physics  

About: “I have always been passionate about science and advocating for cancer. My mom and grandma both survived breast cancer, and my grandma is currently fighting non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I would love to help advance solutions that help treat this disease and catch it earlier. I am passionate about health equity and providing accessible medical care to all.”  

 

ABBY WANEZEK

Sport: Swimming  

Hometown: Elm Grove, Wisconsin  

Major: Kinesiology  

About: “Exact Sciences has a mission to move the health care field in a forward, positive direction. As someone who wants a career in the health field, I want to be someone that raises awareness on health issues that exist. As athletes, we have a voice, and I would love to use my platform to empower others to take care of themselves and give back to their community.”  

JALEN WILLIAMS

Sport: Track and field  

Hometown: Washington, D.C.  

Major: Health Promotion and Health Equity  

About: “As a health promotion and health equity major, I’ve learned about the health disparities that exist and the negative impact they can have on care for common diseases like cancer. I love the mission of Exact Sciences and want to be able to help prevent cancer from occurring so often.”