Maquoketa native hopes to return to Iowa to work in health care.
Growing up in a family of dental professionals, Caiden Atienza seemed destined to follow in their footsteps. The Maquoketa native’s mom and one sister are dental hygienists, his father is a dentist, and another sister recently graduated from dental school. When Atienza enrolled at the University of Iowa, he focused on biology, a common major for those planning to attend dental school.
However, Atienza discovered his passion lay elsewhere. Reflecting on his initial choice, Atienza, a 2025 electrical and computer engineering graduate, said, “I didn’t like biology as much as I thought I would. In high school, I liked motorcycles and cars. I liked tearing things apart and putting them back together, which is ultimately why I chose engineering.”
This newfound interest led him to the College of Engineering. While enrolled in Engineering Problem Solving, he discovered the Engineering Machine Shop. The shop's equipment and tools, such as the welder, sparked his curiosity and sharpened his skills. Shop supervisors Mike Hillman and Zane Brewer took notice and offered him a job.
Hillman called him a “standout student in our shop.” Brewer added, “He was very eager to learn and be involved in everything that was going on.”
He saw the real-world benefits of his classroom equations while working on advanced medical equipment. The hands-on experience opened his eyes to the practical applications of engineering, particularly in the medical field.
A pivotal moment came when Atienza connected with Daniel Hyer, a medical physicist and professor of radiation oncology at the Carver College of Medicine. Hyer introduced Atienza to the MR Linac, a machine that combines an MR scanner and a linear accelerator, allowing real-time imaging of patients' organs during treatment. His work, which focused on adapting cancer treatment plans to reduce secondary problems, led to publishing research in Frontiers.
“Caiden's passion for engineering and physics is a perfect combination for anyone interested in pursuing a career in medical physics,” Hyer said. “He picks up new tasks quickly, demonstrates a strong ability to work independently, and approaches challenges with the practicality and determination of an engineer.”
The ability to combine a passion for engineering with his interest in health care rerouted Atienza’s career aspirations. Atienza has accepted an offer to pursue a PhD in medical physics in the Radiation Calibration Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin. The goal is to return to Iowa as a clinical medical physicist, combining research, teaching, and medical responsibilities.
Beyond his academic achievements, Atienza has been a student ambassador, guiding new students and families. Playing sports was a large part of his life in high school, and since coming to college he has enjoyed staying active by participating in intramural basketball and volleyball, further showcasing his well-rounded personality.
“I went through the full loop by starting college with a focus on health care, then changing to engineering, and eventually discovering a path that merges engineering and patient care,” Atienza said.