Join the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in congratulating the 2026 Dare to Discover student and postdoc researchers, scholars, and creators from across CLAS. You may have seen their photos on banners throughout Iowa City.
From scientific inquiry to artistic expression, CLAS scholars are engaged in fascinating work.
The accomplishments featured here represent the breadth and depth of discovery happening every day in CLAS, and demonstrate how the liberal arts and sciences remain essential to solving humanity's pressing challenges and enriching our collective experience. These are the CLAS Hawkeyes who dare to question, create, analyze, imagine, and discover.
| 2026 CLAS Dare to Discover Researchers | Research focus |
|---|---|
Undergraduate student, science studies |
Paves way for better patient care |
Undergraduate student, biomedical sciences and bioinformatics |
Studies stress in fetal brain development |
Undergraduate student, political science | Dissects side effects of sanctions |
Undergraduate student, 3D design | Weaves sustainability into design |
Undergraduate student, biomedical sciences |
Deciphers dementia development |
Postdoctoral scholar, biology | Discovers new insect species |
PhD student, geography | Reduces Iowans' conflicts with wildlife |
Undergraduate student, informatics | Shapes safer tech research for kids |
PhD student, English | Explores America's origin story |
Undergraduate student, environmental bioscience | Preserves Iowa's prehistoric past |
PhD student, mass communication | Interprets impacts of digital media |
AuD student | Supports students with hearing loss |
Read more about the researchers who Dare to Discover across the University of Iowa on the Office of the Vice President of Research's website.