My name is Allison Diekema, and I am from Mason City, Iowa. I am pursuing a B.S. in Cell and Developmental Biology on the pre-veterinary track, with a minor in German with plans to graduate in December 2026.

I joined the Yang Lab in 2025, and my experience in the lab has been an important part of my academic growth. My work includes cell culture, drug screening studies, and working with animal models. Working in the lab has challenged me to plan ahead, troubleshoot problems, and interpret data.

Outside of the lab, I work at UI Health Care in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory as a student lab technician and volunteer at the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center.