The 2025 Dare to Discover banner campaign highlights 80 undergraduate, graduate student, and postdoctoral scholars who are engaged in promising research, scholarship, and creative activities that range from unlocking the molecular mechanisms of disease to exploring the mysteries of space.
The banners, the tenth installment of the campaign, will be up in downtown Iowa City until March.
“Every day, students and postdocs contribute to research and creative activity happening at the University of Iowa,” said Lois Geist, interim vice president for research. “We are pleased to celebrate those efforts through this campaign.”
Advisors and colleagues nominated the students and postdocs, whose profiles can be found at dare.research.uiowa.edu. Here’s a look at a few of the Hawkeyes featured this year:
Kaleb Young, a PhD student in civil and environmental engineering, is working to improve flood forecasting for the state of Iowa. He is incorporating the effects of agricultural drainage systems into the WRF-Hydro model, which the National Weather Service uses for streamflow forecasts across the country. Young has also contributed to the Iowa Watershed Approach, a 5-year, statewide effort to enhance flood resilience, and assisted the southwest Iowa town of Riverton with addressing local flooding issues.
“Being involved with research has allowed me to gain a much deeper understanding of the materials that I learn in class,” said Young, who is mentored by Larry Weber, professor of civil and environmental engineering. “It also allows me to see how the fundamentals I learn in classes are used in real world applications.”
Ana Laura Leyser, an undergraduate majoring in biomedical sciences, conducted research at the Anne Frank Initiative (AFI), where she developed a digital diary inspired by Frank’s work, featuring stories about children
from various cultures and eras, written by UI students and Iowa City community members.
Through my research experiences, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with numerous professors and staff members,” said Leyser, who is mentored by Kirsten Kumpf Baele, AFI director and faculty in the Department of German. “I truly value the knowledge I’ve gained and the skills I’ve developed, particularly in public speaking. Most importantly, the incredible network of individuals who genuinely support me and champion my success has been invaluable as I navigate my college journey.”
Sun Joo Lee, who is pursuing a PhD in music therapy, explores the effects of therapeutic group singing for people with Parkinson’s Disease. She facilitates a therapeutic singing group called Tremble Clefs at multiple sites in Arizona and in Iowa City. A Graduate Engagement Corps grant from the Office of Community Engagement supported the creation of the local site.
“Conducting research has been an integral part of my success at the University of Iowa,” said Lee, who is mentored by Abbey Dvorak and Jeremy Manternach, both faculty in the School of Music. “It has exposed me to a wide variety of fields, enhancing my understanding of the entire research process.”
Gage Liddiard, a student in the Medical Scientist Training Program, is seeking alternative treatments for drug-resistant seizures in newborns under the mentorship of Joseph Glykys, associate professor of pediatric neurology. Up to half of neonatal seizures are resistant to current medications, a problem that can worsen if diagnosis and care are delayed—a problem more likely to occur in rural areas with longer travel times to hospitals.
“Research has made me a more critical thinker and confident person due to the power of perseverance through failure,” said Liddiard. “Every time an experiment goes wrong, a grant is rejected, or a meeting doesn't end how I wanted, I take it all in, discuss it with my mentor, and figure out a way to keep moving forward. This research process, and especially my mentor, have prepared me well for my future.”