International student Hanxi Tang contributes to efforts to slow spread of Coronavirus

Growing up in Beijing, China, Hanxi Tang knew at a young age that she had a keen interest in science. She relished opportunities to visit her mother, a pathology doctor, at work. That work setting was often a research lab that fascinated Tang, as it was full of activity and hands-on learning experiences such as expelling water through a needle from a syringe. An inspiring biology teacher in high school further nurtured Tang's enthusiasm for science.

As Tang considered her college options, she was drawn to the University of Iowa because of its nationally-ranked hospital and medical school. She also liked the idea of living in a small college town coupled with the friendliness of the Midwest.

Now a junior, Tang describes her University of Iowa experience as exceptional. "Even before I arrived on campus, I got a lot of support from the ISSS office. Students are well-supported and my professors are both knowledgeable and helpful. In fact, everyone on campus has been very helpful," says Tang.

In addition to excelling in her coursework as a biology major, Tang has contributed to the University of Iowa and the surrounding community through her volunteer work at both UI Hospitals & Clinics and the UI Mobile Clinic. She also works as an undergraduate research assistant in not one, but two research labs: the Plumert cognitive psychology lab and the Kitamoto neurogenetics lab.

Unfortunately, the recent coronavirus pandemic prompted a pivot away from some of these activities. Most of the work in the research labs has been suspended, and much of her volunteer work had to be put on pause. Before long, Tang was invited to temporarily replace her employment in the Kitamoto lab with a screener position at UI Hospitals & Clinics. For 10-15 hours each week, Tang helps screen incoming patients, staff, and visitors at UI Hospitals & Clinics entrances by asking them about current coughs or fevers. "We are essentially checking for any symptoms of respiratory illness," says Tang.