Muscular dystrophy refers to a group of inherited conditions that affect muscle structure and function. It causes progressive muscle weakness, reduced mobility, a shortened lifespan, and, in some cases, severe cardiac and respiratory complications and neurological impairment.

The primary care doctor Carlyn Haas will become grew from her experiences with health outreach, nutrition and lifestyle, and other public health principles.

Using zebrafish, UI professor Colin Kenny studies uveal melanoma to better understand how it forms and spreads — and how it can be treated. His dedication to research comes from what he calls the “sheer thrill of discovery.”

In a first-of-its-kind finding, researchers at University of Iowa Health Care discovered that specific genetic sequences have an outsized impact on humans’ language abilities and that these sequences evolved before humans and Neanderthals diverged.

Farnoosh Shemirani, PhD, explores how nutrition can improve health outcomes for people living with neurological and metabolic diseases.

Ted Abel, professor and chair of the Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology in the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and the Roy J. Carver Director of the Iowa Neuroscience Institute, has been appointed the university’s first president and provost distinguished fellow. The new role within the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost will allow Abel to have an even…

To take the next step in migraine research and treatment, Andrew Russo, PhD, is collaborating with a new generation of scientists who bring complementary skills and technical expertise that weren’t conceivable when he joined the UI faculty in 1988.

Ellen Voigt’s research is setting the stage for next-generation therapies for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. In March 2026, Voigt accepted the University of Iowa’s Graduate Research Excellence Award, which recognizes students in terminal degree programs who are conducting research that makes a significant contribution to their field.

For Sean Westendorf, MD, practicing medicine in Waverly is more than just a job. Born and raised in the northeast Iowa community, he joined Waverly Health Center (WHC) in August 2025 as a family practice provider at Christophel Clinic. Westendorf now cares for neighbors, teachers, coaches, and friends who helped shape his journey.