The Dare to Discover campaign showcases researchers, scholars, and creators from across the University of Iowa on banners throughout downtown Iowa City. The campaign is sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research.
Click on the student profiles to learn more about the personal stories behind the faces of discovery and creativity.
Azeez Alade
Seeks DNA causes of clefts
PhD student, epidemiology
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Alexandra Alario
Tackles treatment-resistant depression
PhD student, neuroscience
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Alyssa Provencio
Empowers students to foster well-being
PhD student, counseling psychology
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Amanda Bullert
Links environment to brain health
PhD student, neuroscience
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Brittany Anderson
Improves biosecurity in care facilities
PhD student, anthropology
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Nimesh P.R Ranasinghe Arachchige
Revolutionizes biodiesel refinement
PhD student, chemistry
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Han Bao
Betters urban policy through big data
PhD student, informatics
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Andrew Behrens
Optimizes orthopedic surgery corrections
Undergraduate student, biomedical engineering
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Annemarie Carver
Studies placenta's impact on brain growth
PhD student, genetics
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Dan Corry
Surveys resiliency after head trauma
PhD student, epidemiology
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Flannery Currin
Enhances social play with technology
PhD student, computer science
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Allie Daniel
Analyzes effects of environmental toxins
PhD student, human toxicology
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Bekir Demiray
Augments flooding data with AI
PhD student, informatics
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Dominic Dongilli
Reimagines impact of zoos in America
PhD student, American studies
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Floyd Evans, Jr.
Forecasts genetic risk of cancer
Undergraduate student, computer science and microbiology
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Stephanie Evett
Paves way for vaccine uptake
MPH student, epidemiology
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Olajide Fadare
Supports resilient pharmacy systems
PhD student, health services research
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Kimberly Fiock
Traces protein pathways in dementia
PhD student, pathology
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Daniel Fu
Regulates cell signals to improve memory
Undergraduate student, biomedical sciences
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Hope Fury
Improves bone marrow transplants
Undergraduate student, biomedical sciences
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Katie Gilbert
Interprets resistance in literature
PhD, French and Francophone world studies
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Noah Gilkes
Protects the brain after trauma
Undergraduate student, neuroscience and philosophy
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Ying Hsu
Preserves vision with gene therapy
Postdoctoral scholar, ophthalmology and visual sciences
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Sunny Huang
Develops safer cancer treatments
Postdoctoral fellow, neuroscience and pharmacology
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Saida Jaboob
Highlights unmet needs of aging adults
PhD student, nursing
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Jordan Johnson
Unlocks how immune cells protect
PhD student, immunology
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Micah Johnson
Maps the roots of migraine
PhD student, neuroscience
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Preston Johnson
Appraises unseen cost of mental illness
Undergraduate student, neuroscience
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Dan Keefe
Advances laser medical treatments
PhD student, electrical and computer engineering
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Joey Kesteloot
Cracks bacterial defenses
Undergraduate student, microbiology
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Justin Krogh
Builds trust in clinical research
Undergraduate student, public health
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Hoeyun Kwon
Maps human behavior in disaster
PhD student, geography
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Abigail Lee
sheds light on reproductive stigma
PhD student, community and behavioral health
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Maddi Lensing
Harnesses the immune system
PhD student, immunology
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Megan Lindmark
Protects rural drinking water
PhD student, civil and environmental engineering
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Cyrus Mansouri
Makes dental implants more feasible
DDS student
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María Leonor Márquez Ponce
Captures Latinx higher education experiences
PhD student, Spanish and Portuguese
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Sara Maurer
Researches effects of prenatal stress
Postdoctoral fellow, psychiatry
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Matthew McGregor
Illuminates addiction in the brain
PhD student, neuroscience
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Meg Mechelke
Bridges creative writing and reading research
Undergraduate student, English and creative writing, theatre arts
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Héctor O. Sánchez Meléndez
Studies word recognition in bilinguals
Undergraduate student, neuroscience
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Autumn Moore
Designs novel diabetes drugs
PhD student, pharmaceutics
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Delia Mozqueda
Tests cognition in cancer patients
Undergraduate student, neuroscience
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Briante Najev
Links nutrients to evolution
PhD student, biology
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Amira Nash
Champions representation in the classroom
PhD student, language, culture, and literacy education
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Bree Neyland
Teaches problem-solving through art
Undergraduate student, art education
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Kaelen Novak
Fashions real and virtual costumes
MFA student, theatre arts
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Ginny Nuckols
Protects brain health after preeclampsia
PhD student, health and human physiology
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Ellen Oliver
Transcends disciplines through dance
MFA student, dance
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Parham Parnian
Accelerates new therapies for infection
PhD student, chemical and biochemical engineering
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Tabitha Kay Peter
Tells stories through biostatistics
PhD student, biostatistics
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Alex Petrucci
Identifies risks for seizure death
PhD student, neuroscience
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Thomas Ptashnik
Tracks altruism throughout a career
PhD student, management and entrepreneurship
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Bryce Pyrah
Examines inequity and consumer choices
PhD student, marketing
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Alastair Sigala Ramirez
Modernizes theatre design methods
MFA student, theatre arts
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Emily Rogers
Explores exercise's impact on disease
PhD student, health and human physiology
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Jurnie Rosius
Addresses aftermath of cancer treatment
Undergraduate student, human physiology
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Brandon Schickling
Predicts maternal heart health
Postdoctoral fellow, obstetrics and gynecology
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Rachel Shrode
Leverages microbiome to treat disease
PhD student, informatics
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Amanda Sursely
Evaluates community health programs
PhD student, epidemiology
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Krislen Tison
Uncovers genetic source of schizophrenia
PhD student, genetics
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Brittany Todd
Reveals mechanisms of brain injury
MD/PhD student
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Emma Treco
Deciphers immune signaling
Undergraduate student, microbiology
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Wilder Voelker
Amplifies diversity in music composition
Undergraduate student, music
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Amelia Watson
Tracks development of shyness
Undergraduate student, psychology and criminology
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Lucinda Williamson
Protects joint health after injury
PhD student, biomedical engineering
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Mizuki Wittmer
Tracks urban wildlife diversity
Undergraduate student, environmental science and Spanish
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Yan Xu
Boosts immunity for oral health
PhD student, pharmaceutics
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Mary Young
Investigates facial bone development
DDS student
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Sadjad Anzabi Zadeh
Personalizes medication dosage with AI
PhD student, business analytics
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