Allison Momany, PhD
Dr. Momany is a Clinical Child Psychologist at the University of Iowa. Allison’s research examines biologic (genetic and epigenetic) and physiologic variation in preterm infants, and the extent to which these factors confer risk for neurodevelopmental impairment. Allison’s clinical work focuses on neurodevelopmental assessment of infants born preterm in early childhood (2-6 years old).
Fun Fact: Dr. Momany is a huge Taylor Swift fan and has been since her debut album. She once got to go backstage and meet Taylor at one of her concerts even!
Paige Nelson, PhD
Paige is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Departments of Pediatrics/Neonatology and Radiology. Her research focuses on using clinical neuroimaging techniques, including neurosonography and magnetic resonance imaging, to investigate brain plasticity in extremely preterm infants born as early as 22 weeks of gestation. She also investigates how neonatal morbidities, such as chronic lung disease, and various intervention strategies influence brain growth and maturation, with the broader goal of identifying neuroprotective strategies to reduce adverse effects on the developing brain.
Fun Fact: Paige loves to travel and even studied abroad in France. She also enjoys taking daily walks with her goldendoodle, Auggie!
Maria Thurow
Maria is a graduate student in the speech-language pathology program. She is very interested in studying the speech and developmental outcomes of children. She is specifically interested in learning how other factors like disabilities or preterm birth can affect the trajectory of children.
Fun Fact: Maria is very lucky when it comes to winning raffles. She has won everything from a parking spot to a TV!
Nancy Weathers
Ms. Weathers supports all aspects of the Neonatal Biorepository, including overseeing subject recruitment and sample collection, IRB communications, data use agreements, research agreements, clinical data extraction, and management.
Fun Fact: Nancy is an avid bicyclist and has ridden across Missouri, Vermont, and from Pittsburgh to D.C. She also enjoys other outdoor activities like cross-country skiing and kayaking!
Lindsey Rhea
Cole Kaufmann
Saffron McNamara
Saffron is an undergraduate student at the University of Iowa and is currently majoring in Psychology. Her research focus is on neurodevelopmental outcomes of premature infants. After graduation, Saffron may either continue her focus in psychology by attending graduate school or attend medical school with a focus on child psychiatry.
Fun Fact: Saffron has been playing competitive soccer for more than 10 years and is an avid FC Barcelona fan.
2025 Summer Interns
Marie Stier
Jade Roghair
Olivia Webb
Connor Harmon