Category: Blog Posts

My name is Lillie Lamont and I am a fourth-year student majoring in Biomedical Sciences with
a minor in Chemistry. I am a research assistant in Dr. Yang’s lab, where I explore different PR
inducers and PHB2 inhibitors, testing their inhibition on endometrial tumor growth. I also
conduct clinical research with Dr. Dominic, looking at outcomes of Afib and VT ablations in
patients with ERSD. In the future I hope to be a practicing physician while continuing to conduct
research!

My project’s aim is to bring awareness to heart rhythm disease and the innovative cardiac
electrophysiology (EP) field. The prevalence of heart arrhythmias, including the most common,
atrial fibrillation, is growing rapidly. Because EP is a relatively newer field of medicine,
technology and therapeutic options are rapidly evolving to better meet patients’ needs.
Unfortunately, many people in rural areas experience barriers in treating Afib, and are often not
provided optimal therapeutics. The goal of my project was to distribute information about atrial
fibrillation to adults in rural Iowa, including symptoms often not associated with Afib,
preventative measures, risk factors, and arising treatment options. This information was
summarized in a brochure and distributed to local clinics and pharmacies, including the Free
Medical Clinic in Iowa City. I also used social media (TikTok) to distribute short videos
containing my project’s information. I believe this information could greatly impact many
people’s health and well being.

View TikTok account

A Wordbrain episode by Hannah Franke

by Madalyn Lovejoy

Science as an Art is a zine that highlights the similarities and differences between science and art. The work strives to connect these two ideas through the use of poetry. There are nine poems in the zine, with one page of researchers answering the question: “What does science mean to you?” Poems cover topics such as accessibility, dissemination, and the scientific method, among others. Poetry is a powerful lens to view and understand scientific practices and principles.

Madalyn R. Lovejoy is a published poet and undergraduate researcher majoring in Psychology and Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies at the University of Iowa. She has over thirty published poems and creative writing projects in various magazines or publications on-campus and online. Madalyn is a recipient of the UI:MARC fellowship, and is a member of the Clinical- Cognitive Science Lab. She and her mentor, Dr. Teresa Treat, work on various projects relating to sexual attitudes and behaviors of college students. Madalyn’s current research looks at the rape-supportive attitudes that college men and women endorse between gender-inclusive and heteronormative measures. She wrote and defended an honors thesis on this subject in October 2023. Her research has been presented at various conferences and festivals hosted by the University of Iowa, and she will be presenting her most recent project at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference in April 2024. Her drive to combine artistic and scientific endeavors reflects her belief that science is a creative practice that affects many aspects of life.

Cover designer: Hailey Odell