Hometown: Iowa City, Iowa
Faculty mentor: Kirsten Kumpf Baele, PhD, director, Anne Frank Initiative, and associate professor of instruction, Department of German, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Degree program and anticipated graduation date:  Bachelor’s in biomedical sciences, pre-medicine, May 2026

Ana Laura Leyser examines how to use Anne Frank’s legacy to teach students about the power of writing as a coping mechanism for difficult topics. Working with the Division of World Languages and Cultures, she developed a digital diary inspired by Anne Frank’s work. This diary features stories that students wrote in the “Anne Frank and Her Story” seminar, where they researched child figures from various cultures and historical periods. She also collaborated with Kristen Kumpf Baele, the Iowa City Public Library, and the Iowa Youth Writers Workshop to conduct workshops titled “War, Struggle, and Resilience,” encouraging local children to express their challenges and discover the power of their voices.

After graduation, Leyser aspires to pursue a medical degree with the goal of becoming a pediatrician. She wants to enter the field of medicine to bridge the gap between patients and their understanding of their own health, empowering them to make informed medical decisions.

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