University of Iowa

Marissa Mueller didn't plan to get involved with research in college. But the biomedical engineering student found a new love while studying the accuracy of devices similar to Fitbits and Nike Fuel Bands.

University of Iowa doctoral student Iurii Bakach is conducting research that helps delivery companies better prepare for the day when deliveries are made by automated vehicles.

Since enrolling at Iowa, Bernardo Pohl Duarte discovered a passion for social psychology and an appreciation for research. He aspires to uncover the genesis of people's prejudicial attitudes and determine how those biases can be diminished.

Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs) play a significant role in our nation's health care system, particularly in rural settings where they work alongside Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and often serve as the community's only option for administering anesthesia during medical procedures. In Iowa, for example, CRNAs are the sole provider of all anesthesia services in 88 of 117 community hospitals in the state. Current University of Iowa SRNAs Rachel Westernik and Sarah Rohde are working on a clinical rotation at Spencer Hospital in Spencer, Iowa, where, in addition to their regular workload, they are actively preparing for any COVID-19 cases that may enter their facility. The two were recently given the daunting task of teaching ICU nurses and respiratory therapists how to convert and utilize anesthesia devices for ICU ventilation.

Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs) play a significant role in our nation's health care system, particularly in rural settings where they work alongside Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and often serve as the community's only option for administering anesthesia during medical procedures. In Iowa, for example, CRNAs are the sole provider of all anesthesia services in 88 of 117 community hospitals in the state. Current University of Iowa SRNAs Rachel Westernik and Sarah Rohde are working on a clinical rotation at Spencer Hospital in Spencer, Iowa, where, in addition to their regular workload, they are actively preparing for any COVID-19 cases that may enter their facility. The two were recently given the daunting task of teaching ICU nurses and respiratory therapists how to convert and utilize anesthesia devices for ICU ventilation.

Chad Rhym grew up running through the hallways of the psychology building at the University of Georgia, where his mother is associate dean of arts and sciences. "When I was 6 or 7, I would meet deans and I didn't know they were deans. I remember seeing those deans riding away on motorcycles," Rhym says. "I also remember my mom going through the tenure track process when I was 14 or 15." Given his exposure to higher education from a young age, it's no surprise that Rhym is pursuing his doctorate in sociology. The native of Athens, Ga., chose to pursue his graduate studies at the University of Iowa after a spending a successful summer on the Iowa City campus as part of the Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) in 2018.

Briar Voy never wanted to be anything other than a dentist. The University of Iowa third-year dental student feels her educational and leadership opportunities are preparing her to jump right into the profession and confidently care for patients.

Zoe Hicks wanted to combine her fascination with the human body with her love of sports. The Californian found that opportunity as an athletic training student for the Hawkeyes.

The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine experience is centered around community. This helps students build a support network that allows them to pursue their interests, wherever they may take them. For fourth-year medical student Luci Howard, they've taken her around the world.

The University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) has awarded 12 doctoral candidates with CLAS Dissertation Writing Fellowships. CLAS Dissertation Writing Fellowships provide recipients with a fellowship of $13,750 to support work on the final stages of their dissertations.

As an undergraduate student, Charles Martin-Stanley II developed a passion for sociology and social justice. In a doctoral program at the University of Iowa, he is using that passion to develop real-world solutions that aim to keep black men in college.

As a young girl in Kenya, Margaret Mungai aspired to become a doctor. Now, the University of Iowa biology major not only is poised to attend medical school, she is aiming to advance novel treatments for disease as a physician-scientist

The University of Iowa's student-led Dance Marathon raised more than $2.8 million for the UI Stead Family Children's Hospital in its 26th year. Dance Marathon is the UI's largest student organization. It has raised more than $30 million since its first event in 1995.

More than 1,200 girls from 42 counties across Iowa -- including Maya Baker of Bettendorf -- have participated in Girls Go STEM since the program began in 2012. Through this University of Iowa program, many participants are discovering new opportunities and interests.

University of Iowa senior Adeline Barron knows a challenge when she sees one. After a childhood amid civil unrest in Ivory Coast and times of financial hardship in Des Moines, Barron found inspiration at the University of Iowa. Here, she is a champion for underrepresented voices on campus, and aims to have a career in higher education administration.

Since the publication of an interview with him last year that appeared in the University of Iowa Department of Internal Medicine's "Making the Rounds" e-newsletter, UI undergraduate researcher Benjamin Kirk has continued to work ahead of the curve, attending, presenting, and winning poster awards at the 2020 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students and at the 2019 American Society for Cell Biology/European Molecular Biology Organization Meeting. Most recently, Kirk received the Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award from the Iowa Center for Research by Undergraduates. Kirk, a member of the Abel Lab, will also receive a $1,000 travel award, which he intends to use to attend either the 2020 Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science Conference or the 2020 American Society for Cell Biology Conference.

24 students at the University of Iowa were awarded cash prizes after successfully sharing their idea in two minute or less in four uniquely-focused "IdeaStorm" competitions staged in early February at various locations on the UI campus. IdeaStorms are entry level pitch competitions coordinated by the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) across the University of Iowa's campus that encourage students to share their innovative ideas with others, all while familiarizing themselves with the pitching process. They encourage UI students to share their new, never heard before ideas without the requirements of a business plan or proposal and provide a collaborative environment where students can get feedback and resources on how to make their ideas into a reality. Students share their business idea in two minutes or less with a panel of judges and an audience. The top ideas at each competition will be awarded cash prizes to help take their idea to the next level.

Hawkeyes were everywhere at Super Bowl LIV. Three UI sport and recreation management alumni recount their experiences in Miami and how their time at Iowa helped them get to where they are today.

Tartil Ali is thankful for the role models in her life, and the University of Iowa student looks to pay their contributions forward through her work on campus, in the community, and in a future health care career.

University of Iowa College of Nursing Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) student Rania Schreiber was recently awarded 2020 Dean's CNL Conference Scholarships and will use the funds to travel to the CNL Summit.

Eighty-seven University of Iowa student-athletes have been named to the 2019 Big Ten Fall Academic All-Conference team. The list includes student-athletes from football (31), women's soccer (19), women's cross country (16), field hockey (11), men's cross country (7), and volleyball (3).

University of Iowa College of Nursing Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) student Lauren Maus was recently awarded 2020 Dean's CNL Conference Scholarships and will use the funds to travel to the CNL Summit.

The University of Iowa's Carver College of Medicine periodically profiles graduate students in its program. Meet Chandler Jensen-Cody, a student in the molecular medicine graduate program.

The Daily Iowan was named the Iowa Newspaper Association's 2020 Newspaper of the Year on Feb. 7. The award marks the first time the DI has won the association's top honor since 1981. The independent student-run newspaper on the University of Iowa campus collected 43 awards in 32 categories, including 18 first-place finishes against daily newspapers with a circulation less than 10,000. Fifteen University of Iowa students were among the award winners.

Anytime there is an opportunity for involvement, Takayla "T.K." Al-Amin answers the bell. The University of Iowa undergraduate has held leadership roles and worked with professional sports teams and local athletic organizations, experiences that will serve her well as she looks forward to a career in the sports industry.

Kiley Reid drew from life experiences to start a novel, and then fine-tuned the manuscript as a student at the University of Iowa. Published in December 2019, just months after her graduation from the University of Iowa, her book is drawing critical acclaim-and resonating with readers.

The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Iowa has a permanent home. At a ceremony on Jan. 24, UI President J. Bruce Harreld joined deans, faculty, and donors to celebrate the official opening of a building that will transform teaching and research, and will position the department to better prepare students for learning modern psychology and finding jobs in the field. Harreld said the building, located as a gateway to the east side of campus at Gilbert Steet and Iowa Avenue, will enhance students' academic experience, increase the research capacity and success of faculty and staff, and help recruit more talent to the university. "It's about all of us coming together-to make better science, greater strides for our students, and actually lifting ourselves to what is possible as opposed to being stuck in what is impossible," Harreld said. The building is the first centralized home for the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, which is the seventh-oldest psychology department in the United States and has been a leader in teaching and research for nearly 130 years.

More than 6,100 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa were named to the dean's list for the 2019 fall semester. Guidelines for inclusion on the list are: Undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering, the Tippie College of Business, and University College who achieve a grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 or higher on 12 semester hours or more of UI graded coursework during a given semester or summer session and who have no semester hours of "I" (incomplete) or "O" (no grade reported) during the same semester are recognized by inclusion on the dean's list for that semester. Undergraduate students in the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine can qualify for the dean's list with fewer than 12 semester hours of graded credit if deemed appropriate by the college. Beginning in fall 2011, College of Nursing students participating in clinical courses must have a total of 12 semester hours of earned credit, with eight semester hours of graded credit with a GPA of 3.50 or higher. Courses offered on a S/U (satisfactory/unsatisfactory) or P/S (pass/fail) basis do not count toward graded credit for inclusion on the dean's list.

More than 500 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa were named to the president's list for the 2019 fall semester.

A new externship program introduces Iowa law students to the nation's capital and helps them find careers in and around the federal government.