Conducting research in a pediatric cardiology clinic throughout college opened doors for Alex Sigman, who will be graduating next week with a degree in biomedical engineering (BME). 

University of Iowa’s research prowess and the crossover of medicine and engineering was a strong draw for the Metamora, Illinois native in selecting Iowa. It paid off. 

“My research has given me such an appreciation not only for cardiovascular intervention, but also just how intricate patient care is,” said Sigman, who spent three years as a research assistant at the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics.

The research helped secure a summer internship with the biopharmaceutical company, Merck and Co., which led to a full-time engineering position beginning in June.

Sigman pursued BME to combine problem-solving and engineering with medicine, so staying connected to a clinical research setting was a priority during college.

“Innovation is often driven by research, and BMEs in particular must work in tandem with medical research to provide better solutions to problems within the medical field,” Sigman said.

A college highlight has been publishing two clinical research manuscripts, including one as a first author and one as a second author. One paper explored the effectiveness of aspirin relative to preventing blood clots, while the other sought to establish "normal" heart rates for adults who battled certain heart defects as a young child.

Sigman credits the guidance of several people, including Dr. Prashob Porayette, Dr. Ian Law, Dr. Peter Barrale, Trudy Pierick, and Emily Riley.

Looking back, Sigman’s biggest piece of advice for continuing students is to ask for help when needed. 

“Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone, even if it feels scary at first,” Sigman said. “It's cheesy, yes, but I've had so many experiences – including learning from physicians from across the world and presenting at two medical conferences – because I allowed myself to feel intimidated and asked for help when I needed it.”