Mia Battani
Mia BattaniClass of 2024
Interest: Medicine
Bio: Hello! My name is Mia (pronounced “MEE-uh”) and I use she/her pronouns. I am originally from Ankeny, Iowa, and I graduated from the University of Iowa with my bachelor’s degree in medical anthropology in 2022. During my time as an undergraduate, I also pursued minors in biology, chemistry, & psychology and followed both the pre-medicine and University Honors tracks. After graduating, I spent a gap year working as an admission counselor with the University’s Office of Admissions, and now I’m here! As an aspiring physician and educator, the Master of Clinical Anatomy program will help me improve my medical school application and allow me to gain experience with graduate-level teaching and research. Outside of my academic pursuits, I love to explore my neighborhood, cook & bake, read, and spend time with my friends.
Email: mia-battani@uiowa.edu
Nikki Chang
Nikki ChangClass of 2024
Interest: Medicine
Bio: I chose the MCA program because of my interest in furthering my understanding of the anatomical sciences. I did my undergrad in human physiology, so the MCA program is a great way to learn about anatomy and physiology in a greater depth. After graduation, I will be applying to medical school with aspirations of being a pediatric or family physician. In my free time, I enjoy watching The Vampire Diaries, reading a good book, and spending time with loved ones. I also enjoy cooking to relieve stress!
Email: nicolle-chang@uiowa.edu
Nicholas Deppe
Nicholas DeppeClass of 2024
Interest: Medicine
Bio: I chose The University of Iowa’s Master of Clinical Anatomy program because the curriculum is based around both anatomical sciences and graduate research. As an aspiring physician, the opportunity to dig deeper into understanding the human anatomy and help advance medicine through clinical research were both extremely exciting and valuable options. Some of my hobbies include staying physically active, cooking, watching my favorite sports teams, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Email: nicholas-deppe@uiowa.edu
Arturo Espinoza
Arturo EspinozaClass of 2024
Interest: Medicine
Bio: Greetings! I'm from Los Angeles, graduated from the University of Arizona, and have lived in Iowa since 2016. I am a husband and dog dad, and I enjoy boxing, playing chess, or hiking in my free time. I work in the VA ER as a tech and in UIHC Neurology as a clinical research manager. The MCA program’s holistic approach, teaching, and research aspects are my reasons for selecting it, as I believe it will support my future career as a physician. I am eager to implement every new attribute I acquire from the program.
Email: arturo-espinoza@uiowa.edu
Pedro Franca
Class of 2024
Interest: Medicine
Bio: I chose the MCA program because of its quality, I felt like MCA program was the perfect fit for me because of its high quality education. This program will help me achieve my future goal of becoming a medical doctor. I am very interested in cardiology and I am very excited for everything the MCA program will be teaching me. My favorite hobby is playing and watching soccer.
Email: pedro-samahafranca-1@uiowa.edu
Kelsey Kannenberg
Kelsey KannenbergClass of 2024
Interest: Dentistry
Bio: I am from Spirit Lake, Iowa, and am a proud alumna of the University of Iowa with a Bachelor's degree in Human Physiology. Choosing the MCA program was an easy decision. The unparalleled academic environment at Iowa, combined with the personal mentorship this program offers, aligns perfectly with my aspirations. My ultimate goal is to pursue a career in the field of dentistry, inspired by personal experiences that underscore the profound impact of dental care on overall health. Outside of academics, I'm an avid reader and baking enthusiast, cherish my time outdoors, serve as a hydration technician for the Iowa Football team, and manage athletic clothing merchandising in the UIowa Surplus Department.
Email: kelsey-kannenberg@uiowa.edu
Alec Marticoff
Alec MarticoffClass of 2023
Interest: Medicine
Bio: Hello, my name is Alec, and I chose the MCA program because I wanted to continue my education in the anatomical sciences while preparing myself to take on medical school coursework. I have always been passionate about the link between medicine and human physiology, so this program was an excellent way for me to marry those two interests. I currently work as a patient care technician at Stead Family Children's Hospital in perioperative services on level 5. My job also meshes really well with this program since I get to work with so many different surgical specialties. I am also working with Dr. Pizzimenti on research focused on creating an anatomically accurate model of ferret lungs using micro CT. Our hope is the model aids researchers in pulmonary pharmacy, epidemiology, or embryology. In my free time, I enjoy watching Hawkeye sports of any kind, working out when I can, or watching cooking shows! My future plan is to attend medical school as I am applying to for the 2024 cycle.
Email: alec-marticoff@uiowa.edu
Madelyn Mayeski
Madelyn MayeskiClass of 2024
Interest: Medicine
Bio: I recently graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.S. in Human Physiology and chose the MCA program to better prepare myself for medical school. I have been involved with research for the past three years and hope to include that into my future career!
Email: madelyn-mayeski@uiowa.edu
Leon McGill
Leon McGillClass of 2023
Interest: Dentistry
Bio: I chose the MCA program to further explore the anatomical sciences in preparation for dental school. Progressing through the curriculum has helped me understand both an intimate understanding of the sciences as well as myself. A deeper foundational knowledge as well as the confidence I have acquired will always stay with me throughout my future endeavors. Having said this, somewhere along the way, I may have picked up a habit of experimenting on different cuisines as a hobby that takes more of my spare time than I would like to admit!
Email: leon-mcgill@uiowa.edu
Emily Pajazetovic
Emily PajazetovicClass of 2023
Interest: Medicine
Bio: I am from Waukee, Iowa, and graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.A. in Biology and Theatre Arts. Alongside my aspiration to become a physician, I have always loved teaching which is where the MCA program caught my eye. This program provides me with advanced academic courses in a personable and supportive community and also creates opportunities to teach or participate in research where I can apply the skills and concepts learned throughout the program. Outside of classes, I work as an Electrophysiology Medical Assistant and Cardiac Rhythm Management Clinical Representative. I am currently working on research with the Pediatric Cardiology department at UI Stead Family Children's Hospital and I am a TA for Principles of Human Anatomy. Most importantly though, I am a proud dog mom.
Email: emily-pajazetovic@uiowa.edu
Sam Pek
Sam PekClass of 2024
Interest: Medicine
Bio: I chose the MCA program to better prepare myself for a career in medicine. I am interested in the cardiovascular system as well as it’s development. I also plan to go to medical school and become a physician after I’m finished with the MCA. My hobbies include swimming, learning languages, and traveling as much as I can.
Email: samuel-pek@uiowa.edu
Sofia Ramirez
Sofia RamirezClass of 2024
Interest: Dentistry
Bio: Howdy! My name is Ana Sofia Ramirez, but everyone just calls me Sofia. I use she/her pronouns and I am from Columbia, Missouri. I moved to the United States from Guatemala when I was six years old and have lived in the Midwest since! I am a middle child and Spanish is my native language. I graduated from The University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with an Emphasis in Medical Science and Human Biology. I am fascinated by science and love interacting with people from all backgrounds, so my future as a prospective public health dentist excites me! My cats Marble and Chadwick complete my heart and my role as a Cabin Lead at Camp Quest, a secular, freethought camp, motivates me to be the best version of myself; my campers mean the world to me. I decided to matriculate into the MCA program at Carver COM to push myself as a scholar and to prepare myself for dental school. I am eager to challenge myself and learn from such intelligent and thought-provoking people.
Email: sofia-ramirez-1@uiowa.edu
Avery Stricker
Avery StrickerClass of 2024
Interest: Dentistry
Bio: I graduated from the University of Iowa with a BS in Neuroscience with hopes of attending dental school in the future. I chose to participate in the MCA program because it will strengthen my teaching abilities and reinforce my science background before pursuing professional school. My hobbies include staying active with my dog, biking, and reading. You can find me at a local coffee shop or at the farmer's market!
Email: avery-stricker@uiowa.edu
Maria Than
Maria ThanClass of 2024
Interest: Medicine
Bio: I am from Portland, Oregon and a first-gen Middlebury College graduate where I majored in Neuroscience and double minored in Global Health and Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist studies. During college, I had the opportunity to work with gynecological cancer survivors which solidified my passion for medicine. I chose the MCA program because of its emphasis on hands-on learning and supportive learning community. As an aspiring physician, I hope to broaden my knowledge of the anatomical sciences to one day help better the lives of my patients. Some of my academic interests include women's health, mental health, health equity, and medical anthropology. In my free time I enjoy listening to audiobooks, binging reality TV shows, playing video games on Nintendo Switch, and spending time with my friends and family.
Email: maria-than@uiowa.edu
Jerry Xue
Jerry XueClass of 2023
Interest: Physician Assistant
Bio: I chose the MCA program for its quality curriculum in the anatomic sciences and its integration of teaching and research. The program offers me a strong science background in preparation for professional physician assistant programs. I enjoy staying active, reading, gaming, and spending time with friends.
Email: jiarui-xue@uiowa.edu
Alumni: Where do our graduates end up?
The following list is a sampling of where our graduate students have ended up in recent years:
| Name | Graduation Year |
Current position |
| Nora Bensellam | 2023 | Applying to medical programs |
| Madeline Block | 2022 | Student, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, IA |
| Zachary Erikson | 2022 | Applying to medical programs |
| Joyce Kim | 2022 | Student, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, IA |
| Taryn O’Brien | 2022 | Student, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, IA |
| Willow Schanz | 2022 | Student, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, IA |
| Jared Hill | 2021 | Student, Southern University of Illinois School of Medicine |
| Kevin Gubner | 2021 | Instructor, Health and Human Physiology - Applying to medical programs |
| Alexandria Wilson | 2021 | Student, AT Still University, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, MO |
| Sarah Lowenberg | 2021 | Research Assistant & EMT, Applying to medical programs |
| Tartil Ali | 2021 | Fulbright Scholarship |
| Sophie Banegas | 2020 | Student, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, IA |
| Matthew Murry | 2020 | Student Dental School |
| Jade Warner | 2020 | Biomedical Sales Rep |
| Riley Blay | 2019 | Student, St. George’s School of Medicine, Grenada |
| Grace Larew | 2019 | Student, AT Still University, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, MO |
| Ananya Munjal | 2019 | Student, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, IA (Research Year) |
| Kalley Quandt/Henkenius | 2019 | Student, PA Program: Faculty DMACC, St. Anthony’s Hospital - Lab |
| Autumn Rieken | 2019 | Student, AT Still University, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, MO |
| Allison Stein | 2019 | Student, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, IA |
| Joshua Weber | 2019 | Biomedical Sales Rep |