The 2026 Iowa Sciences Academy Summer Program brought fifteen undergraduate students together for eight weeks of mentored research, professional development, and scientific communication opportunities. Alongside conducting at least 20 hours of research each week, students participated in weekly seminars designed to prepare them to share their work at the Summer Undergraduate Research Conference (SURC).
The seminars followed students' development throughout this summer. Early sessions helped participants build community, explore graduate school and internship opportunities, and consider how their values could guide future academic and career choices. An ISA alumni panel featuring graduate students in PhD programs provided additional perspectives on pathways beyond undergraduate study.
As students' research progressed, the seminar series shifted toward responsible research and effective communication. Students examined research ethics through case studies and learned how to organize complex scientific information into an accessible poster. They also learned about networking skills and practiced them with invited faculty, staff, and graduate student facilitators.
The program culminated with a poster practice session on July 27, followed by their research poster presentations at SURC on July 29. Students joined undergraduate researchers from across the University of Iowa to present their projects and discuss their work with a broader audience. For information about ISA poster presentations at SURC, check out this article!
The students involved in the 2026 ISA Summer Program represented a range of scientific disciplines and area of study:
- Owen Ashbrook (Environmental Science)
- Aaron Boston (Microbiology)
- Stephanie Carr (Biology)
- Seren Castellano (Biology and Anthropology)
- Alayna Gallery (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)
- Luke Hawkins (Neuroscience)
- Jenny Huynh (Biology)
- Renee Lin (Biology)
- Arib Mahmud (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)
- Matieis Mayes (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)
- Shelley Mishra (Neuroscience)
- Peter Nitsche (Biology and English and Creative Writing)
- Lauren Schultz (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)
- Bhoomika Shettigar (Neuroscience)
- Isabelle DeWitt (Neuroscience)