Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience | Graduate College | The University of Iowa

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Study aspects of the human brain with top-notch researchers in the University of Iowa's Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience.

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."

Iowa Neuroscience Institute

Provides collaborative support for the neuroscience community.

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News & Events

2026 Kwak Ferguson Award Winners Announced!

Thursday, July 9, 2026

Congratulations to Ahmet Kuralay on the successful presentation and defense of his doctoral thesis in Neuroscience!

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Ahmet Kuralay successfully presented and defended his thesis on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. His research in the laboratory of Jon Resch, PhD in the department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology.

Congratulations to Sara Mitchell on the successful presentation and defense of her doctoral thesis in Neuroscience!

Thursday, June 4, 2026

Sara Mitchell successfully presented and defended her thesis on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Her research in the laboratories of Hanna Stevens, MD, PhD, in the Department of Psychiatry, and Rainbo Hultman, PhD, in the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics.

Honoring the Life and Legacy of Benjamin DeCorte, PhD

Monday, June 1, 2026

To honor Ben's memory and enduring contributions to the Neuroscience Graduate Program, we are proud to announce that the Young Investigator Award will be renamed the Benjamin J. DeCorte Young Investigator Award. This recognition reflects the qualities Ben exemplified throughout his career: scientific excellence, innovation, integrity, and a commitment to advancing neuroscience.

Congratulations to all of our students who successfully defended their thesis this academic year!

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Congratulations to our 2025–2026 Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience thesis defense students!

Congratulations to Annie Rohl on the successful presentation and defense of her doctoral thesis in Neuroscience!

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Annie Rohl successfully presented and defended her thesis on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Her research was conducted under the guidance and mentorship of Jeremy Greenlee, MD and Joel Berger, PhD. Annie joins a growing list of new PhDs graduating during the 2025 - 2026 academic year.

Brooke-Yeager-Thesis-Congratulations-Announcement.

Congratulations to Brooke Yeager on the successful presentation and defense of her doctoral thesis in Neuroscience!

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Brooke Yeager successfully presented and defended her thesis on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Her research was conducted under the guidance and mentorship of Nandakumar Narayanan, MD, PhD. Brooke joins a growing list of new PhDs graduating during the 2025 - 2026 academic year.

20260408-Utsav-Mukherjee-Thesis-Congratulations

Utsav Mukherjee, PhD, Successfully Defends Doctoral Thesis in Neuroscience

Thursday, April 9, 2026

Utsav Mukherjee successfully presented and defended his thesis on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. His research was conducted under the guidance and mentorship of Ted Abel, PhD. Utsav joins a growing list of new PhDs graduating during the 2025 - 2026 academic year.

2026.04.06-Ashby-Martin-Thesis-Congratulations-

Ashby Martin, PhD, Successfully Defends Dissertation in Neuroscience

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Ashby Martin successfully presented and defended his thesis on Monday, April 6, 2026. His research was conducted under the guidance and mentorship of Dan Tranel, PhD. Ashby joins a growing list of new PhDs graduating during the 2025 - 2026 academic year.

Tre'Andice Williams accepted to the Iowa Innovation Leadership Fellowship

Friday, April 3, 2026

IDGP Neuroscience Events

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Outstanding Alumni

Alex Petrucci

Eric Emmons

Katelyn Joyal

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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

"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