New discoveries, profound impacts

As gorgeous autumnal colors blanket Iowa State’s campus, students are finishing projects and papers in preparation for fall semester finals. Nineteen undergraduate students in Iowa State’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) are also wrapping up their work on ground-breaking faculty-sponsored research projects. These students are the latest recipients of the LAS Dean’s High Impact Award for Undergraduate Research.

Following is a look at some of the research projects students conducted this fall. A list of all fall 2024 recipients appears at the end of this article.

Jenifer Andrade-Hernandez (’26 psychology): Mentored by Kristi Costabile, associate professor of psychology

Stories and characters from books and other narratives can profoundly impact the individuals reading about them. Jenifer Andrade-Hernandez spent fall semester studying survey results from college students to determine if their own creative writing and role-playing has the same effect.

“From previous studies, it has been proposed that reading or writing about a character affects how it impacts the reader if they can relate to that character. This could be by affecting their personality or changing their feelings of control,” Andrade-Hernandez said. “From this we are investigating whether the same applies to creative writing or role-playing.”

As an undergraduate student, Andrade-Hernandez appreciates the high level of involvement she has with this research project, from running experiments to discussing outcomes.

“What I enjoy about working with Kristi Costabile is that she is at the lab meetings and listens to what we have to say along with collaborating in our conversations. It makes me feel heard,” she said.

Following graduation, Andrade-Hernandez wants to become a school psychologist or mental health counselor for kids and adolescents.

“I want to help kids, especially in underserved communities and families of color,” Andrade-Hernandez said. “I understand the stigma over mental health, and I would like to change that perspective into something kids and their families won’t be afraid to speak about.”

Isabelle Appel (’26 Biology): Mentored by Ping Kang, adjunct assistant professor of genetics, development, and cell biology

Isabelle Appel’s research project may help future scientists better understand the lifespan of animals.

Under the guidance of Ping Kan, adjunct assistant professor of genetics, development and cell biology, Appel is producing multiple copies of certain genes in fruit flies to understand how this action affects their lifespan.

“I accomplish this through genetically manipulating flies and conducting a lifetime and heart assay,” Appel said.

Appel enjoys applying what she has learned in the classroom to her work in the lab.

“One of the most interesting parts of my research project is the ability to apply the techniques and material I’ve learned in my classes and labs to my own project,” Appel said. “I appreciate the independence of undergraduate research while also under the guidance of a researching professor.”

Following graduation from Iowa State, Appel hopes to attend pharmacy school and then pursue a clinical pharmacy career.

Kyler Hegarty (’26 genetics): Mentored by Ping Kang, adjunct assistant professor of genetics, development and cell biology

Kyler Hegarty is also working with Adjunct Assistant Professor Ping Kang, Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, to understand how deactivating genes in fruit flies affects their lifespan.

The opportunity to be involved with undergraduate research at Iowa State is preparing Hegarty for his future career.

“After graduating from undergraduate school, I plan to get my Ph.D. in genetics or a similar field and become a research scientist,” he said.

Hegarty appreciates Kang’s leadership and guidance as he prepares for graduate school.

“My mentor is really cool, and very helpful for when I have any questions with my research or just college life in general,” Hegarty said. “Since they’ve been through it already, they are a person I can talk to about any questions with graduate school or funding or other things.”

Elizabeth Quam (’26 biochemistry): Mentored by Rizia Bardhan, professor of chemical and biological engineering

In the future, cancer patients may benefit from the research Elizabeth Quam is conducting today.

Quam’s project seeks to use the molecular footprint provided by Raman spectroscopy to understand responses to cancer treatment and develop precision medicine methods that give patients a personalized treatment plan.

“The coolest part of my research project is that I get to actively work toward solving one of society’s largest health problems,” Quam said. “In my opinion, science alone is fascinating to understand how the world works, but we can leave a lasting impact when we apply science to resolve issues.”

Quam is grateful for the opportunity to conduct undergraduate research.

“I love that even as an undergraduate student I am contributing to new scientific discoveries that will advance medicine and health care,” she said.

Following graduation, Quam plans to work in the biomedical industry before pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical science, specializing in immunology.

Remaining fall 2024 LAS Dean’s High Impact Award for Undergraduate Research recipients:

Emily Chavez (’26 psychology)
Mentored by Jason Chan, professor of psychology

Elizabeth Dougherty (’26 biochemistry)
Mentored by Dipali Sashital, professor of biophysics, biochemistry, and molecular biology

Sithmi Hewage (’26 chemistry)
Mentored by Jared Anderson, Alice Hudson Professor in the Department of Chemistry

Elizabeth Larkin (’25 genetics)
Mentored by Ping Kang, adjunct assistant professor of genetics, development, and cell biology

Isaac Lewiston (’27 psychology)
Mentored by Kevin Blankenship, associate professor of psychology

Allison Loomis (’25 genetics, statistics)
Mentored by David Vogel, Wendy and Mark Stavish Chair in Social Sciences

Chad Martin (’25 genetics)
Mentored by Hua Bai, associate professor of genetics, development, and cell biology

Liya Mooradian (’25 genetics)
Mentored by Don Sakaguchi, Morrill Professor and director of the biology and genetics undergraduate program

Raegan Nelson (’25 genetics)
Mentored by Hua Bai, associate professor of genetics, development, and cell biology

Lucas Nerone Rillo (’27 computer science)
Mentored by Simanta Mitra, teaching professor of computer science

Paulina Romo (’26 criminal justice)
Mentored by Miko Wilford, associate professor of psychology

Mackenzie Thackery (’25 biochemistry)
Mentored by Jeff Essner, professor of genetics, development, and cell biology

Bradyn Weaver (’25 chemistry)
Mentored by Julia Zaikina, associate professor of chemistry

Emily Wermager (’27 biology)
Mentored by Ping Kang, adjunct assistant professor of genetics, development, and cell biology

Amanda Zumbrock (’25 genetics)
Mentored by Jeff Essner, professor of genetics, development, and cell biology