University of Iowa

Nicole Hehr, who initially was named alternates to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, was awarded a grant in June, bringing the UI's total number of awardees to a record-setting 19. Fulbright U.S. Student Program grants are provided to selected students to conduct research, attend graduate school, undertake creative projects, or serve as English teaching assistants abroad in 2019-20, with an additional two students selected as alternates. This year, Iowa had the largest-ever number of applicants, with a total of 47 students completing the rigorous application and interview process. A record number of 32 semifinalists were selected to compete in the second round of the competition.

Maria Bascom, who initially was named alternates to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, was awarded a grant in June, bringing the UI's total number of awardees to a record-setting 19. Fulbright U.S. Student Program grants are provided to selected students to conduct research, attend graduate school, undertake creative projects, or serve as English teaching assistants abroad in 2019-20, with an additional two students selected as alternates. This year, Iowa had the largest-ever number of applicants, with a total of 47 students completing the rigorous application and interview process. A record number of 32 semifinalists were selected to compete in the second round of the competition.

Madeline Moffett, an undergraduate Human Physiology major working in the lab of E. Dale Abel, MD, PhD, has been accepted into the Latham Science Engagement Program as one of their fellows for the 2019-20 academic year. Sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Latham fellows will complete two courses in science-communication skills and outreach, design and deliver projects that connect the broader community to scientific research, and participate in a year-end event showcasing their research activity.

One example is the work done by Emma Mankin, a UI senior and geoscience major who will graduate in December. Mankin processed radar imagery, or interferograms, from a 6.9 magnitude quake that struck Indonesia in August 2018. She then used this imagery to produce a model of the earthquake and where it was located. The USGS used this model directly to update its predictions of ground shaking and earthquake impact that were incorporated into its disaster-response systems. "Emma's rapid work on the Indonesia earthquake directly contributed to the operational analysis of a global earthquake," Barnhart says. "Her contributions improved earthquake impact estimates for that event and helped to further demonstrate that these satellite approaches can provide actionable information that benefits society."

More than 5,700 students at the University of Iowa were named to the UI's Dean's List for the spring 2019 semester. Undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the Tippie College of Business who achieve a grade point average of 3.50 or higher on 12 semester hours or more of UI graded course work 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 may qualify for the Dean's List with fewer than 12 semester hours of graded credit if deemed appropriate by the college. 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 grade point average of 3.50 or higher.

The University of Iowa has announced the names of more than 600 students who were named to the President's List for academic achievement during the spring 2019 semesters The UI established the President's List in the fall of 1983 to recognize academic excellence. In order to be included on the list, a student must have a minimum grade point average of 4.0 (4.0 is a "A" grade) in all academic subjects for the preceding two semesters, with a total of at least 12 semester hours of credit per semester during that period.

More than 4,800 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at the University of Iowa recently participated in graduation ceremonies. The UI's spring 2019 graduates had an average cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.16 on a 4.0 scale. In addition, 16 percent of the graduating class graduated with multiple majors and 355 undergraduates graduated with honors. To learn more about the University of Iowa's 2019 spring graduates, click HERE. https://uiowa.edu/stories/university-iowa-spring-2019-graduates

The Engaging Across Cultures certificate is awarded by the University of Iowa International Student and Scholar Servies office to students who succesfully complete the Engaging Across Cultures program. The program is a non-academic, professional development certificate program that creates an opportunity for UI graduate and professional students to learn more about fostering an intercultural campus while honing skills that will carry into the future workplace. For more information visit https://international.uiowa.edu/connect/intercultural-training/engaging-across-cultures.

The Bridging Domestic and Global Diversity certificate is awarded by the University of Iowa International Student and Scholar Servies office to students who succesfully complete the Bridging Domestic and Global Diversity program. The program is a diversity and leadership training program designed to increase intercultural awareness and skills for both international as well as domestic students at all academic levels. For more information visit https://international.uiowa.edu/connect/intercultural-training/bridge.

Jordan Zuniga, a 2019 graduate of the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communications, recently placed among the Top 20 in the personality/profile category of the 59th annual William Randolph Hearst Foundation's Journalism Awards Program.

On April 26, 2019, University of Iowa undergraduates Hannah Gulick, Russell Martin, and Guowei Qi got some great news. After making it through an extra four weeks of anticipation, each learned that they had been named 2019 Goldwater Scholars. The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship - the premier undergraduate award of its kind - was established by Congress in 1986 in honor of Senator Barry M. Goldwater, to challenge and support outstanding young scholar researchers committed to conducting basic science research in the fields of science, technology, mathematics, and engineering. Since 1989, 57 undergraduates from the University of Iowa have been named Goldwater Scholars.

More than 100 Iowa City-area elementary school students participated in Healthy LifeStars, an initiative from the University of Iowa College of Public Health staffed by current UI students that fights childhood obesity by encouraging students to be more active and eat more nutritious food. Childhood obesity has become a serious public health issue in the U.S., as more and more children are classified as significantly overweight. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the number of obese children in the United States between the ages of 6 and 19 has tripled since the 1970s, rising to 20% in 2015. In Iowa, about 18% of children between the ages of 10 and 17 are obese, according to 2018 data from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Eight students who demonstrated a dedication to scholarship, research, service, leadership, and activism were among the faculty, staff, and students recognized at the University of Iowa's annual Celebration of Excellence and Achievement Among Women.

Former Iowa crew teammates Taylor Williams and Kennedy Voss wanted to take part in Semester at Sea through the University of Iowa's study abroad program in spring 2019. But they didn't know how they were going to pay for it. The best friends were inspired to make no-slip sport headbands and start a business called Wanderlust Wraps to raise money for their trip

Former University of Iowa crew teammates Taylor Williams and Kennedy Voss wanted to take part in Semester at Sea through the University of Iowa's study abroad program in spring 2019. But they didn't know how they were going to pay for it. The best friends were inspired to make no-slip sport headbands and start a business called Wanderlust Wraps to raise money for their trip.

Molecular medicine PhD student Jordan Kohlmeyer is researching new therapies for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, which are deadly, resistant to drug therapies, and often unable to be operated upon due to their location.

Arches National Park is a place of serene, mystical beauty: a rugged collection of breathtaking natural rock formations and ancient sandstone arches that can forever change the way people look at life. But the Utah park has in recent years started to change too many lives. Looking to alleviate some of the stress on the park's infrastructure, the National Park Service worked this spring with four University of Iowa students in the Tippie College of Business full-time MBA program to develop a new tour bus-management strategy.

University of Iowa students, faculty, staff, and alumni received some of the institution's highest honors on April 23 at the 102nd Finkbine Dinner. UI President Bruce Harreld and Vice President for Student Life Melissa Shivers presented the Hancher-Finkbine Medallions and Distinguished Student Leader certificates.

Jesse Cochran -- one of more than 5,280 University of Iowa students to graduate in May 2019 - learned a lot while conducting research in a UI lab, and not just about heart disease. He found a model of professionalism and a newfound appreciation for discovery that's redefining his health care career path. University of Iowa student Jesse Cochran learned a lot while conducting research in a UI lab, and not just about heart disease. He found a model of professionalism and a newfound appreciation for discovery that's redefining his health care career path. From a fairly young age, University of Iowa undergraduate Jesse Cochran wanted to be a doctor. The Newton, Iowa native was curious about how the human body functions and how someday he could help people dealing with various afflictions. What Cochran didn't realize all those years ago is that the job titles of physician and researcher are not mutually exclusive. Now, he plans to be both of those things. "I never really thought that I would end up as a scientist or researcher," says Cochran, who in May will receive a degree in biology, chemistry, and biochemistry. "That's been a fairly recent development, which largely can be attributed to my research experiences at Iowa." Cochran performs research in the E. Dale Abel lab group, with a specific focus on heart disease, metabolism, and endocrinology. "Every day, 2,300 American lives are lost due to cardiovascular disease. My family has had a long history of heart failure," Cochran says. "My work hopes to elucidate the molecular underpinnings of this disease and to develop treatment strategies for these models." Conducting research has taught Cochran how to approach very complex and intricate problems: he breaks them down into simpler concepts and components. "From this reductionist view, I'm able to parse through the mechanisms leading to each component and then synthesize each section to obtain a more holistic perspective," he says. To read Jesse's full story, click HERE. To learn more about the University of Iowa's 2019 spring graduates, click HERE.

Three University of Iowa students awarded prestigious Boren Awards for 2019

A team of eight undergraduate and graduate University of Iowa students studying in the College of Public Health led by instructor Jeff Dawson in March traveled to Xicotepec, a small city in central-eastern Mexico, as part of a weeklong, interdisciplinary service-learning course.

Seventeen University of Iowa students, alumni receive Fulbright awards for 2019-20; Four named as alternates

Seventeen University of Iowa students, alumni receive Fulbright awards for 2019-20; Four named as alternates

Josh Larson -- one of more than 5,280 University of Iowa students to graduate in May 2019 -- was attracted to the UI by a folder filled with space goodies. The Mount Pleasant, Iowa native graduates after finding a passion for plasma physics and building his own experiment for students.

University of Iowa business analytics student Emma Keefe -- one of more than 5,280 students who will graduate from the UI in May 2019 -- used all the resources the university has to offer to figure out what she wanted to do. It culminated with a job offer in the Twin Cities, which she accepted, with one caveat: she wanted to work in Iowa, a state she loves.

It did not take long for Fredrick Cherry Jr. -- one of more than 5,280 who will graduate from the University of Iowa in May -- to feel at home at the UI. Once there, he flourished under the tutelage of mentors, and has helped groom the next generation of people to do the same things that he has had the opportunity to do.

What do zebrafish and dance in the 1940s have in common? Both have been the objects of research by Mikaela Mallin, one of more than 5,280 University of Iowa student who will graduate from the UI in May 2019.

Jake Stone -- one of the more than 5,280 University of Iowa students to graduate in May 2019 -- is heading to the Baltimore Orioles organization after graduation. He says this was made possible by taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the University of Iowa's Sport and Recreation Management Program and his work with the Hawkeye baseball team.

Five University of Iowa students were recently awarded Critical Language Scholarships (CLS): Alexander Bare (to study Arabic in Tangier, Morocco); Eli Bratsch-Prince (to study Arabic in Tangier, Morocco); Abby Rinaldi (to study Mandarin in Dalian, China); Mark Schoen (to study Bahasa in Malang, Indonesia); and Angel Trachta (to study Korean in Gwangju, South Korea).

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