Ericka (Tank) Muhlbauer, MD (B.S. ’14), is a family medicine physician in Carroll, Iowa, where she cares for patients at McFarland Clinic and St. Anthony Regional Hospital. Long before she was delivering babies and supporting families in western Iowa, her path began at the University of Iowa’s Department of Health, Sport, and Human Physiology (HSHP). As a human physiology major in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Muhlbauer built a science foundation, found mentors, and gained hands-on research experience that helped her prepare for medical school and continues to shape the way she practices medicine today.

David Nataf, assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, is the lead investigator on the research, which would yield detailed maps to improve the study of exoplanets whose locations are obscured by “interstellar extinction” — the dimming and reddening of stars’ and galaxies’ light due to dust. Specifically, Nataf’s research will focus on learning the properties of host stars, which include mass, distance, metallicity, and temperature. Understanding host stars’ properties is crucial because they shape the characteristics of exoplanets, helping researchers better understand them.

Learn more about the exciting work of the following College of Liberal Arts and Sciences researchers and artists.

The NIH grant will fund a new centralized facility for the University of Iowa’s Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank, boosting its capacity and modernizing its antibody production and research infrastructure.

Amid major shifts in the national research funding landscape, CLAS faculty and staff sustained strong proposal activity in FY25. Their efforts supported continued progress in research, scholarship, and creative work across the college.

Following the success of the TRACERS spacecraft launch, the Department of Physics and Astronomy faculty members are anticipating the development of the innovative Iowa Spaceflight Laboratory.

As the University of Iowa looks toward celebrating the 100-year anniversary of its Religious Studies department in 2026, Associate Professor and DEO, Paul Dilley, stands at the intersection of tradition and innovation. A scholar of ancient Mediterranean religions, early Christianity, and digital humanities, Dilley exemplifies the interdisciplinary spirit that defines the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Check out these tips on mindset, goal setting, time management and note-taking to help you kick off the spring semester.

Academic advisors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences bust five myths about instructor drop-in hours, as well as provide common questions to ask during your meeting.