Wellness Committee
The MSTP Wellness Committee is a student-run committee that builds peer-support within the MSTP. This committee organizes informal gatherings to provide students’ perspective on decision making during key transitions within the program. The Wellness Committee also organizes MSTP buddies, pairing senior trainees with junior trainees. This committee also provides programming for one student-only MSTP Monday event each semester.
Riley Behan-Bush (Chair)
Amelia Hurley-Novatny (Co-Chair)
Jane Buchanan
Michelle Chen
Jessie Knobbe
Guillermo Romano Ibarra
Daniel Sands
Akansha Warrier
MSTP Mondays
The MSTP Mondays Committee is charged with defining programming for the biweekly Monday meeting. One representative is selected from each MSTP entering class to works with the Directors and Administrative Director to identify topics relevant for MSTP training.
Course Director:
Student Course Directors:
Student Advisory Council
The purpose of the Iowa MSTP Student Advisory Council (SAC) is to provide essential consultation to MSTP Faculty/Staff Leadership (“MSTP Leadership”) to improve the Iowa MSTP and enhance the trainee experience.
The SAC is a student-run board that meets monthly with the mission to proactively address arising problems, raise and discuss important questions affecting the MSTP and its students, facilitate improved communication
between MSTP Leadership and MSTP students, and enhance programming in the MSTP. The SAC is comprised of one or more members of the MSTP Leadership and two student representatives from each MSTP class.
This committee is not a decision-making entity, but instead, a group of dedicated students committed to providing thoughtful and strategic feedback to MSTP Leadership regarding current issues, suggested
modifications to current practices, and insight into other concerns affecting MSTP students so the MSTP Leadership team can make informed decisions that will best support the personal well-being and professional
success of MSTP students at the University of Iowa.
Riley Behan-Bush (Co-Chair)
Chris Hunter (Co-Chair)
Maddie Mix
Hannah Van Ert
Jonah Elliff
Lucas Barrett
Amelia Hurley-Novatny
Molly Larson
Grace Fritz
Andreas Kantartzis
Peyton Alder
David Chang
Nick Gorman
Shruthi Kondaboina
Retreat & I 'Heart' Science
The formats and themes are chosen by the student-run Retreat Committee, reflecting their interests and creativity. The MSTP Summer Retreat includes oral presentations that highlight research accomplishments by trainees, a presentation by an accomplished invited keynote speaker who embodies career success, career development sessions, panel discussions with MSTP alumni and PSTP trainees, and social activities.
I ‘Heart’ Science is a second required annual MSTP retreat that is held close to Valentine’s Day. This student-initiated and organized event highlights student research accomplishments through poster presentations. Importantly, the MSTP Seminar Committee invites one speaker who provides a presentation that weaves his/her career path with their scientific accomplishments.
Gage Liddiard (Chair)
Akshaya Warrier
Madi Wahlen
Jonah Elliff
Jason Hristopoulos
Jacquelyn Nielson
MSTP Medley Committee
Medleys are program-wide social events that were developed in response to MSTP student desire for informal gatherings. MSTP Medleys are organized by students, with topics reflecting their interests and creativity. Recent activities have included Trivia Night, Bowling, Karaoke, and Science Jeopardy.
Chris Hunter (Chair)
Emily Janio (Co-Chair)
Qi Wang
Ryan Reis
Association of Inclusive Medical Scientists (AIMS)
The Association of Inclusive Medical Scientists (AIMS) is a new student-run group with a goal to build community among MSTP students from historically excluded groups in science and medicine. We hope to create a safe and fun space for community building, mentorship, networking, and advocacy.
Michelle Chen (Co-Chair)
Guillermo Romano-Ibarra (Co-Chair)
Aspiring Surgeon Scientist Group
Amelia Hurley-Novatny (Chair)
Akshaya Warrier (Co-Chair)
Riley Behan-Bush
Jayden Bowen
Joseph Chin
Akansha Jain
Emily Janio
Lola Lozano
Hannah Van Ert
Joseph Vecchi
Madi Wahlen
Women's Group
The MSTP Women’s Group is a student-run group that builds community among female and female-identifying students of the MSTP. Our meetings are held twice monthly and cover a range of topics from needs-driven discussions to introductions to female community leaders, presentations on resources for women on campus, and open conversations about issues relevant to women. Activities serve to raise awareness and build skills that relate to challenges at work and at home.Our mission is to promote the professional and personal development of female and female-identifying students in the Iowa MSTP (Aline Sandook, founder).
Molly Larson (Chair)
Fishing Trip Subcommittee: Emily Janio (Chair)
Note: Membership is open to anyone of any gender who supports these goals.