Director Spotlight

On location with Neuroscience Program Director Daniel Tranel, PhD

"Join the Neuroscience Graduate Program at the University of Iowa and become part of the bright team of scientists trying to solve the mystery of the human brain."


09242024 Distinguished Mentor Ceremony 1

Iowa Neuroscience Institute

Provides collaborative support for the neuroscience community.

IDGP Neuroscience Events

Iowa Neuroscience Institute Seminar: Michael Yassa, PhD promotional image

Iowa Neuroscience Institute Seminar: Michael Yassa, PhD

Friday, December 5, 2025 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Carver Biomedical Research Building

Seminar Title TBD

Michael Yassa, PhD
Professor, Neurobiology and Behavior
James L. McGaugh Endowed Chair in the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
Professor, Psychiatry and Human Behavior
Professor, Neurology
Director, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences
University of California, Irvine

Iowa Neuroscience Institute seminars feature top neuroscientists from around the country sharing their latest...

Biology Seminar: "A live look at building and rebuilding neuronal circuitry" promotional image

Biology Seminar: "A live look at building and rebuilding neuronal circuitry"

Friday, December 5, 2025 3:30pm
Biology Building East
The Department of Biology’s seminar speaker on Friday, Dec. 5, at 3:30 p.m. is Lauren Walker, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular and Systems Biology (Geisel School of Medicine) at Dartmouth College. Her seminar will be held in Kollros Auditorium (Room 101), Biology Building East (BBE). A reception with refreshments will be held in the BBE Lobby following the seminar.
College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar Series: Matthew Caporizzo, PhD promotional image

College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar Series: Matthew Caporizzo, PhD

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 11:30am
College of Pharmacy Building

The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics (PSET) in the College of Pharmacy will host a seminar presented by: 

Matthew Caporizzo, PhD
Assistant Professor
Molecular Physiology and Biophysics
The University of Vermont
Burlington, Vermont

All are welcome to attend. No pre-registration required.

Spence Lecture: Lisa Feldman Barrett promotional image

Spence Lecture: Lisa Feldman Barrett

Friday, December 12, 2025 3:30pm to 5:00pm
Psychological and Brain Sciences Building

The Spence Lecture Series honors the legacy of Kenneth W. Spence, prominent learning theorist and chair of the department from 1942-1964. This series, which is supported by the Iowa Neuroscience Institute, brings leaders in the field of behavioral neuroscience to our campus each year.

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett as this year's Spence Lecturer. Lisa Feldman Barrett is a university distinguished professor at Northeastern University with appointments at the Massachusetts...

College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar Series: Jason Duskey, PhD

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 11:30am
Virtual

The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics (PSET) in the College of Pharmacy will host a seminar presented by: 

Jason Duskey, PhD
Department of Life Sciences
University of Modena
Modena, Italy

All are welcome to attend. No pre-registration required.

Zoom Link Info:
Meeting ID: 967 3140 7256
Passcode: 584174

College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar Series: Benjamin Van Tassell, PharmD

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 11:30am
College of Pharmacy Building

The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics (PSET) in the College of Pharmacy will host a seminar presented by: 

Benjamin Van Tassell, PharmD, BCPS, FCCP, FAHA, ASH-CHC
Professor and Vice Chair for Research
Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia

All are welcome to attend. No pre-registration required.

College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar Series: Filiz Korkmaz, PhD

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 11:30am
College of Pharmacy Building

The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics (PSET) in the College of Pharmacy will host a seminar presented by: 

Filiz Korkmaz, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
University of Iowa

All are welcome to attend. No pre-registration required.

College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar Series: Emily DiBlasi, PhD

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 11:30am
College of Pharmacy Building

The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics (PSET) in the College of Pharmacy will host a seminar presented by: 

Emily DiBlasi, PhD
Research Assistant Professor
Department of Psychiatry
University of Utah
Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine
Salt Lake City, Utah

All are welcome to attend. No pre-registration required.

College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar Series: Marjana Tomic-Canic, PhD

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 11:30am
College of Pharmacy Building

The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics (PSET) in the College of Pharmacy will host a seminar presented by: 

Marjana Tomic-Canic, PhD
Professor
Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery
University of Miami
Miami, Florida

All are welcome to attend. No pre-registration required.

College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar Series: William Thiel, PhD

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 11:30am
College of Pharmacy Building

The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics (PSET) in the College of Pharmacy will host a seminar presented by: 

William Thiel, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Internal Medicine
University of Iowa

All are welcome to attend. No pre-registration required.

Outstanding Alumni 

Alex Petrucci

Alex Petrucci

Eric Emmons

Eric Emmons

Katelyn Joyal

Katelyn Joyal

Victoria Muller Ewald

9

DISSERTATION PRIZE WINNERS AWARDED BY THE GRADUATE COLLEGE.

Joseph Parvizi, Michael Koenigs, and Benton Purnell (right), Katelyn Joyal EARNED THE SPRIESTERSBACH DISSERTATION PRIZE.

Matthew Sutterer, Arianna Rigon, Banu Gumusoglu, Victoria Muller E
Benton Purnell
Serena Gumusoglu
"The fact that I was able to perform at this level and do this work is representative of this program. The strength of the Neuroscience Program at the University of Iowa is what makes it such a destination program for people.”

Banu Gumusoglu, PhD

2020 winner, Rex Montgomery Dissertation Prize

Carver College of Medicine Research Events

Neuroscience & Pharmacology Workshop - Bertha Martin, PhD & Budhaditya Basu, PhD promotional image

Neuroscience & Pharmacology Workshop - Bertha Martin, PhD & Budhaditya Basu, PhD

Thursday, December 4, 2025 12:30pm to 1:30pm
Medical Education Research Facility

Molecular and Spatial Characterization of Caudal Raphe Cell Types

Bertha Martin, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar
Dr. Jon Resch's Lab

Impact of tau pathology on learning-induced gene expression: A spatial transcriptomics approach

Budhaditya Basu, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar
Dr. Snehajyoti Chatterjee's Lab

Iowa Neuroscience Institute Seminar: Michael Yassa, PhD promotional image

Iowa Neuroscience Institute Seminar: Michael Yassa, PhD

Friday, December 5, 2025 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Carver Biomedical Research Building

Seminar Title TBD

Michael Yassa, PhD
Professor, Neurobiology and Behavior
James L. McGaugh Endowed Chair in the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
Professor, Psychiatry and Human Behavior
Professor, Neurology
Director, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences
University of California, Irvine

Iowa Neuroscience Institute seminars feature top neuroscientists from around the country sharing their latest...

Neuroscience and Pharmacology Seminar - Habibeh Khoshbouei, PhD promotional image

Neuroscience and Pharmacology Seminar - Habibeh Khoshbouei, PhD

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 10:30am to 11:30am
Medical Education Research Facility

Midbrain dopamine neuronal activity modulates splenic immunity via a brain–body circuit

Habibeh Khoshbouei, PhD
Professor and Vice Chair of Research
Department of Neuroscience
University of Florida College of Medicine

Study Hall promotional image

Study Hall

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
The Museum of Natural History welcomes students each week for a study session in our galleries. We'll provide the snacks, cushions, and ambiance. You bring your planners, textbooks, or assignments. Together, we'll stay ahead of our goals this semester.

Biomedical & Health Informatics Community Meeting

Thursday, December 11, 2025 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Virtual

We have established a community of CCOM Informaticists who are applying these skills in their work at UIHC. You are invited to join us during our monthly seminar presentations. 

Neuroscience and Pharmacology Seminar - Vadim Bolshakov, PhD promotional image

Neuroscience and Pharmacology Seminar - Vadim Bolshakov, PhD

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 10:30am to 11:30am
Bowen Science Building

Neuropeptide-mediated gating of innate fear circuits

Vadim Bolshakov, PhD
Professor, Harvard Medical School
Director, Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory, McLean Hospital

Hawkeyes at Home: Behind the Scenes at the University of Iowa promotional image

Hawkeyes at Home: Behind the Scenes at the University of Iowa

Monday, January 5, 2026 12:00pm to 12:10pm
Virtual
Behind the Scenes at the University of Iowa: Driving Research for Safer Roads
Hawkeyes at Home: Behind the Scenes at the University of Iowa promotional image

Hawkeyes at Home: Behind the Scenes at the University of Iowa

Tuesday, January 6, 2026 12:00pm to 12:10pm
Virtual
Behind the Scenes at the University of Iowa: Driving Research for Safer Roads
Hawkeyes at Home: Behind the Scenes at the University of Iowa promotional image

Hawkeyes at Home: Behind the Scenes at the University of Iowa

Wednesday, January 7, 2026 12:00pm to 12:10pm
Virtual
Behind the Scenes at the University of Iowa: Driving Research for Safer Roads

Biomedical & Health Informatics Community Meeting

Thursday, January 8, 2026 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Virtual

We have established a community of CCOM Informaticists who are applying these skills in their work at UIHC. You are invited to join us during our monthly seminar presentations. 

Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs Events

Women In Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour

Monday, December 8, 2025 11:00am to 12:00pm
Carver Biomedical Research Building

Join us for the Women in Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour. It is the monthly coffee hour on the second Monday of the month from 11 a.m. to noon in 1289 CBRB. Enjoy coffee, pastries and contribute to the discussion!

This is open to ALL — students, staff, postdocs, and faculty interested in promoting women in science.

Speakers change monthly. Contact: jessica-tucker@uiowa.edu for details.

ACB Seminar Series - Katheryn Rothenberg  promotional image

ACB Seminar Series - Katheryn Rothenberg

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 9:30am to 10:30am
Bowen Science Building

Dr. Katheryn Rothenberg, an Assistant Professor of Biology will present a seminar titled "Cell-cell Adhesion Remodeling And Strengthening Drives Collective Epithelial Migration."

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ACB Seminar Series - Dr. Guo-Chang Fan  promotional image

ACB Seminar Series - Dr. Guo-Chang Fan

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 9:30am to 10:30am
Bowen Science Building

Dr. Guo-Chang Fan, a Professor of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neurobiology from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine will present a seminar titled "Sectm1a and Probiotic EVs in Efferocytosis-Mediated Repair of Cardiac Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury."

Women In Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour

Monday, January 12, 2026 11:00am to 12:00pm
Carver Biomedical Research Building

Join us for the Women in Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour. It is the monthly coffee hour on the second Monday of the month from 11 a.m. to noon in 1289 CBRB. Enjoy coffee, pastries and contribute to the discussion!

This is open to ALL — students, staff, postdocs, and faculty interested in promoting women in science.

Speakers change monthly. Contact: jessica-tucker@uiowa.edu for details.

Women In Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour

Monday, February 9, 2026 11:00am to 12:00pm
Carver Biomedical Research Building

Join us for the Women in Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour. It is the monthly coffee hour on the second Monday of the month from 11 a.m. to noon in 1289 CBRB. Enjoy coffee, pastries and contribute to the discussion!

This is open to ALL — students, staff, postdocs, and faculty interested in promoting women in science.

Speakers change monthly. Contact: jessica-tucker@uiowa.edu for details.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Seminar: Dr. Rui Zhao

Thursday, February 26, 2026 10:30am to 11:20am
Medical Education Research Facility

This event is open to the public.

Title TBA

Rui Zhao, PhD
University of Colorado Anschutz

Faculty Host: Lori Wallrath, PhD

Women In Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour

Monday, March 9, 2026 11:00am to 12:00pm
Carver Biomedical Research Building

Join us for the Women in Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour. It is the monthly coffee hour on the second Monday of the month from 11 a.m. to noon in 1289 CBRB. Enjoy coffee, pastries and contribute to the discussion!

This is open to ALL — students, staff, postdocs, and faculty interested in promoting women in science.

Speakers change monthly. Contact: jessica-tucker@uiowa.edu for details.

Women In Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour

Monday, April 13, 2026 11:00am to 12:00pm
Carver Biomedical Research Building

Join us for the Women in Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour. It is the monthly coffee hour on the second Monday of the month from 11 a.m. to noon in 1289 CBRB. Enjoy coffee, pastries and contribute to the discussion!

This is open to ALL — students, staff, postdocs, and faculty interested in promoting women in science.

Speakers change monthly. Contact: jessica-tucker@uiowa.edu for details.

Women In Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour

Monday, May 11, 2026 11:00am to 12:00pm
Carver Biomedical Research Building

Join us for the Women in Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour. It is the monthly coffee hour on the second Monday of the month from 11 a.m. to noon in 1289 CBRB. Enjoy coffee, pastries and contribute to the discussion!

This is open to ALL — students, staff, postdocs, and faculty interested in promoting women in science.

Speakers change monthly. Contact: jessica-tucker@uiowa.edu for details.

Women In Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour

Monday, June 8, 2026 11:00am to 12:00pm
Carver Biomedical Research Building

Join us for the Women in Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour. It is the monthly coffee hour on the second Monday of the month from 11 a.m. to noon in 1289 CBRB. Enjoy coffee, pastries and contribute to the discussion!

This is open to ALL — students, staff, postdocs, and faculty interested in promoting women in science.

Speakers change monthly. Contact: jessica-tucker@uiowa.edu for details.