The 11th Annual Project Engage Showcase on May 2, 2026 was a big success! Over 40 attended, including presenter family members, friends, mentors, and colleagues, and supportive faculty, staff, and members of the general public.
There were 16 undergraduate student science outreach projects to see, including children's books and magazines written and illustrated by the students, an interactive board game, educational science activities, educational workbooks, and more.
See below for more information about the projects.
11th Annual Project Engage Showcase | |||||
Name | Major | Title | Description | Media Image | Student Bio |
| Ashbrook, Owen | Environmental Science | Magazine about Paleontology |
| Owen Ashbrook is a student at the University of Iowa studying Earth & Environmental science. Since he was a kid, he has had a love for animals living and extinct, and he considered studying paleontology. Owen went to a small high school in rural Illinois, and so it was hard finding resources when it came to pursuing a career as a paleontologist, or even a scientist for that matter. He created this magazine to help young adults find the resources they need to study paleontology no matter what background they come from. | |
| Ault, Zoe | Astronomy and Physics | Learning the Night Sky | Observation workbook and public activity |
| Zoe Ault is an undergraduate student at the University of Iowa, where she studied astronomy and physics. Zoe believes that astronomy is for everyone, and that the best way to learn is by getting outside and looking up. After graduating in May 2026, she plans to continue sharing her passion for space through science communication and astronomy outreach. When she's not stargazing, she's finding new ways to make the universe a little less intimidating and a lot more wondrous. |
| Carne, Braden | Physics, Astronomy | The Journey to the Northern Lights: A Particle's Path to the Party in the Sky | Children’s book |
| Braden Carne is a third-year undergraduate studying physics, astronomy, and math, with a special interest in space and heliophysics. His current research focuses on electron behavior across the Alfven surface - the transition point between the Sun's corona and solar wind. Braden plans to pursue a career in academia, studying the sun and stars while teaching future generations of scientists. In his free time, he enjoys training with the Iowa Triathlon Club and volunteering at public observation nights and science demonstration shows. |
| Crawford, Lauren | Public Health | All about the Kidney: Filtering in Action | Science Activity | Lauren Crawford is an undergraduate student majoring in public health. Lauren's project is inspired through her work as research assistant in a rare kidney disease lab. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue medical school and specialize in pediatrics. | |
| Formella, Emily | Biomedical Engineering | Educational Social Media Account (Instagram) |
| Emily Formella is a senior undergraduate in biomedical engineering. After graduating in May 2026, she will remain at the University of Iowa to pursue a master's degree while continuing her current research in the Worthington Lab, where she studies the effects of microgravity on the human body. Beyond academics, Emily is actively involved in community outreach through D.I.R.T. Gardening Club and the Society of Women Engineers, where she is passionate about mentorship and giving back to the supportive community she found at Iowa. | |
| Gallery, Alayna | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | DNA Extraction: Strawberry vs Human | Science Activity | Alayna Gallery is a fourth year undergraduate student studying Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Human Physiology. She is an undergraduate research assistant in the Neurobiology of Pain Lab under Dr. Kathleen Sluka where she studies the transition to chronic pain. After graduation she plans to attend graduate school to pursue a career in research and continue improving upon her science communication skills. | |
| Hawkins, Luke | Neuroscience | Gratitude for Undergraduates | Educational workshop |
| Luke Hawkins is a third-year psychology and religious studies student conducting psychotherapy research under the guidance of Dr. Martin Kivlighan. Additionally, Luke serves as a student advisor for the University Counseling Services, a peer mentor for the Iowa Sciences Academy, and is working on his certificate in Resilience and Trauma-Informed Perspectives. After graduating, Luke plans to pursue a PhD in Counseling Psychology. In his free time, Luke serves as the president of Kairos College Ministry and hopes to leave a lasting impact on his community. |
| Huynh, Jenny | Biology | Children’s book |
| Jenny Huynh is a 4th year student at the University of Iowa, graduating with a BS in Biology on the Genetics and Biotechnology Track. Her research in the Cerebrovascular & Neurointerventional Lab is focused on endovascular therapy as a treatment for neurovascular conditions like stroke. She enjoys working with students of all ages, but she wanted to focus on a younger audience for her book on DNA damage after the many (preventable) sunburns she endured as a child. | |
| Leyser, Ana Laura B | Biomedical Sciences | Children’s book |
| Ana Laura Leyser is a Biomedical Sciences student at the University of Iowa whose work centers on pediatric well-being and accessible science communication. Inspired by her own diagnosis with a gallstone at age nine and subsequent cholecystectomy, Ana wrote this book to help young patients better understand their bodies and feel less alone in their medical journeys. She aspires to pursue a career in pediatric medicine, where she hopes to combine compassionate care with education that gives children confidence and a chance to feel heard. | |
| Lin, Renee | Biology | Children’s book and coloring workbook |
| Renee Lin is an undergraduate student at the University of Iowa studying Biomedical Sciences B.S. She studies breast cancer at the Burkard Lab and enjoys making tough science easy. | |
| Myroth, Abby | Neuroscience | How the Wild Things Sleep | Children’s book |
| Abby Myroth is a fourth-year undergraduate at the University of Iowa, studying Neuroscience and Ancient Civilizations. She researches sleep and development in Dr. Mark Blumberg's lab, where she will continue her work as a PhD student. Abby wrote this book to share her love of sleep science with young readers who, like her, stay up late wondering about the natural world. When she's not in the lab or library, she enjoys reading, watching movies with friends, and drinking way too much coffee. |
| Nitsche, Peter | Biology/English and Creative Writing | Young Adult Graphic Novel about biology |
| Peter Nitsche is a second year English / Creative Writing and Biology major on the pre-med track at the University of Iowa. He is an undergraduate research assistant in the Neiman Lab where he works on tissue regeneration in freshwater snails. He also works as an Honors Outreach Ambassador, is on the Honors Student Advisory board, volunteers in the main operating room at Carver Hosptial, and tutors student athletes. When not involved in research and outreach, he enjoys hiking, painting, and writing novels. | |
| Subramaniam, Anand | Psychology, Pre-Med | Health on Social Media: Facts vs Fiction | Blog and Social Media Page | Anand Subramaniam is a junior undergraduate student studying psychology on the pre-med track with an interest in pursuing a career in psychiatry. He is also going to commission as an officer into the Air Force upon graduating. He is involved in clubs like Active Minds that deal with mental health advocacy and outreach to vulnerable populations. He hopes to be able to enable people to interpret and make accurate conclusions about healthcare research they encounter by teaching them how to understand statistics. | |
| White, Everett | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | Microorganisms in Motion: How They Spread Around Us
| Science Activity | Everett White is an undergraduate student at the University of Iowa studying biochemistry with an interest in pursuing a career in medicine as a clinician-scientist (MD/PhD). He is actively involved in outreach through his organization, Inspire to Aspire, where he works to engage younger students in science and healthcare fields. His goal is to help students better grasp scientific concepts by making them more accessible through hands-on activities and real-world applications, helping them see how science connects to their everyday lives. | |
Group Project Members |
| Project Name | Description | ||
| Jenny Huynh Zoe Ault Ana Laura Leyser Abby Myroth |
| The Universe in Your Hand: An Educational Board Game
| Interactive science board game |
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| Luke Hawkins Anand Subramaniam Braden Carne Everett White |
| LABE: Laboratory Adventures, Breakthrough Experiments | Multidisciplinary science activity demo | ||
| Owen Ashbrook Emily Formella Renee Lin |
| Take a Hike! | Wilderness outreach – guided nature walk |
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Peter Nitsche Lauren Crawford Alayna Gallery |
| Food for Thought | Science magazine about brain health |
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