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

College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar Series: Kristina Thiel, PhD

Tuesday, March 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: 

Kristina Thiel, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

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

College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar Series: Feng Zhang, PhD

Tuesday, March 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: 

Feng Zhang, PhD
Associate Professor
Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas

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

College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar Series: Bindu Gottam, MS, MBA, RAC

Tuesday, March 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: 

Bindu Gottam, MS, MBA, RAC
Director of Preformulation and Formulation Development
University of Iowa Pharmaceuticals

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

College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar Series: Aktham Aburub, '04 PhD

Tuesday, April 7, 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: 

Aktham Aburub, '04 PhD
VP-Research-Synthetic Molecule Design and Development
Eli Lilly and Company

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

College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar Series: Eric Sundberg, PhD

Tuesday, April 21, 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: 

Eric Sundberg, PhD
Professor and Chair
Department of Biochemistry
Emory University School of Medicine
Atlanta, Georgia

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

College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar Series: Robin Bogner, PhD

Tuesday, April 28, 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: 

Robin Bogner, PhD
Director, Kildsig Center for Pharmaceutical Processing Research (CPPR)
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
University of Connecticut
Storrs, Connecticut

Seminar Title: "Emerging Technology to Enhance the Stabilization of Therapeutics by Lyophilization"

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

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 & Pharmacology Seminar - Michelle Mazei-Robison, PhD promotional image

Neuroscience & Pharmacology Seminar - Michelle Mazei-Robison, PhD

Monday, December 8, 2025 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Medical Education Research Facility

Novel molecular mechanisms induced in the ventral tegmental area by drugs of abuse

Michelle S. Mazei-Robison, PhD
Professor and Associate Chair
Department of Physiology
Michigan State University

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 & Pharmacology Workshop - Athira Anirudhan, PhD & Alex Keyes, PhD promotional image

Neuroscience & Pharmacology Workshop - Athira Anirudhan, PhD & Alex Keyes, PhD

Thursday, December 11, 2025 12:30pm to 1:30pm
Medical Education Research Facility

Molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial Ca2+ efflux in neurons
Athira Anirudhan, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar
Dr. Yuriy Usachev's Lab

Dynorphinergic neurons in the lateral pons inhibit inflammatory, neuropathic, and post-surgical pain via a descending circuit
Alex Keyes, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar
Dr. Yuriy Usachev's Lab

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

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.