In the News

UI brain bank selected for NIH NeuroBioBank network

Monday, January 5, 2026
Becoming the seventh brain bank in the NBB’s network, the Iowa brain bank will bank 100 brains per year with 50 more dedicated to grant-supported investigator projects. UI will receive $1.4 million in funding for the first year of the contract.

Shen earns prestigious award for her 'outsider' approach

Monday, December 8, 2025
Susan Shen, assistant professor of psychiatry in the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, is the first female psychiatrist, the first from Iowa, and only the third psychiatrist overall to receive the highly-competitive Avenir Award from the NIH. The $2.3 million grant is awarded for innovative research by “early-stage” investigators in three focus areas: HIV/AIDS, the genetics and epigenetics of substance use, or the chemistry and pharmacology of substance use.

Levi Sowers: Shedding light on migraine and post-traumatic headache

Monday, November 3, 2025
Post-traumatic headache (PTH) shares many of the same symptoms as migraines. Characterized by severe pain and sensory hypersensitivity, they’re disruptive and often difficult to treat. Despite the similarities, there are currently no FDA-approved treatments specifically for PTH. This gap in care is what drives University of Iowa Health Care researcher Levi Sowers, assistant professor in the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics and the Division of Child Neurology.

Neuroscience Events

Pain Interest Group Seminar - Stephani Sutherland, PhD promotional image

Pain Interest Group Seminar - Stephani Sutherland, PhD

Wednesday, March 4, 2026 9:00am to 10:00am
Medical Education Research Facility

Science communication in pain research and society

Stephani Sutherland, PhD
Science Writer
Communications Director
Acute to Chronic Pain Signatures (A2CPS) Consortium
Bloomberg School of Public Health
Johns Hopkins University

Neuroscience and Pharmacology Seminar - Lisa Beutler, MD, PhD promotional image

Neuroscience and Pharmacology Seminar - Lisa Beutler, MD, PhD

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 10:30am to 11:30am
Medical Education Research Facility

Dissecting the gut-brain dynamics of anorexia and aversion

Lisa Beutler, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Medicine
Northwestern University

Many Keys, One Conversation: Schizophrenia, Neuroscience and Creativity

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 5:30pm to 8:30pm
The James Theater

This event brings together storytelling, dance, science, and dialogue to destigmatize schizophrenia and mental illness. Through personal narratives, artistic expression, cutting-edge research, and expert insight, attendees will discover the power of vulnerability, resilience, and community support in mental health. When we share our stories, we heal together

5:30 - 6:00 PM | Reception with Hors d'oeuvres & Poster Session
6:00 - 6:15 PM | Michael Judge: A Brother's Perspective
6:15 - 6:45 PM |...

Big Ten Neuroscience Seminar

Monday, March 23, 2026 11:00am to 12:00pm
Virtual
Neuroscience presentations (virtual) hosted by Big Ten Academic Alliance members
Distinguished Biomedical Scholars Lecture - Ian S. Maze, PhD promotional image

Distinguished Biomedical Scholars Lecture - Ian S. Maze, PhD

Thursday, March 26, 2026 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Medical Education Research Facility
Distinguished Biomedical Scholars Lecture Ian Maze

Big Ten Neuroscience Seminar

Monday, April 27, 2026 11:00am to 12:00pm
Virtual
Neuroscience presentations (virtual) hosted by Big Ten Academic Alliance members

Big Ten Neuroscience Seminar

Monday, May 18, 2026 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Virtual
Neuroscience presentations (virtual) hosted by Big Ten Academic Alliance members