12 students had the opportunity to present their summer research on July 29th. Below breaks down each individual student, their project and honor to their mentor. Great work students! We are honored to have you represent the Iowa Science Academy!
Thursday, September 17, 2026
NameProgramMajorPoster TitleMentorPresentation Time 
Owen AshbrookScience AllianceEnvironmental Science (Bioscience Track)Molecular Approaches Clarify Food Webs of Insects Associated with North American Oak Galls Andrew Forbes2:40 - 3:25pm
owen ashbrook
Aaron BostonUI-IINSPIREMicrobiologyAsexual P. antipodarum's Generation Time Considering rDNA Genomic RepeatsMaurine Neiman1:00 - 1:45pm
Aaron Boston
Stephanie CarrScience AllianceBiologyA Therapeutic Strategy for Enhancing Target Gene Expression Through Blockade of MicroRNA Binding Sites Ryan Bondreau2:40 - 3:25pm
Stephanie Carr
Luke HawkinsScience AllianceNeuroscienceFaculty and Staff Burnout and Wellness: A Preliminary Study of the Effectiveness of an Interpersonal Gratitude Group InterventionMartin Kivlighan1:50 - 2:35pm
Luke Hawkins
Jenny HuynhLatham FellowBiologyAssociation Between Circle of Willis Status and Symptomatic Chronic Carotid OcclusionSanty Ortega Guitierrez1:50 - 2:35pm
Jenny
Renee LinLatham FellowBiologyHER2+ Breast Cancer Cells Downregulate HER2 Expression in Response to Trastuzumab Deruxtecan Mark Burkard2:40 - 3:25pm
Renee
Arib MahmudScience AllianceBiochemistry & Molecular BiologyThe Artificial Hepatic Pseudocapsule: Enzyme-responsive Peptide Hydrogels for Liver Tumor EncapsulationJames Byrne1:00 - 1:45pm
Arib
Matieis MayesScience AllianceBiochemistry & Molecular BiologyA Computational Framework for Quantifying Collective Airway Epithelial Dynamics Amy Ryan2:40 - 3:25pm
Mayes
Shelley MishraScience AllianceNeuroscienceSalience Network-Default Mode Network Connectivity and Anhedonia Severity: A Proposed EEG Approach Bruce Barholow2:40 - 3:25pm
Mishra
Peter NitscheLatham FellowBiology, Creative Writing & EnglishTentacle Tales: How Genome Architecture and Food Availability Shapes Tissue Regeneration Maurine Neiman2:40 - 3:25pm
peter
Lauren SchultzUI-IINSPIREBiochemistry & Molecular BiologyMacrophage-Mediated JC Polyomavirus Trafficking: Implications for Progressive Multifocal LeukoencephalopathySabrina Tan1:50 - 2:35pm
Lauren
Isabelle DeWittScience AllianceNeuroscienceDistinguishing Mild Cognitive Impairment from Normal Aging: Domain Specific Cognitive Differences Natalie Denburg1:50 - 2:35pm
Isabelle