Asya Lengel received the Larry W. Oberley Award in Radiation Oncology at the 2026 University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Medical Student Research Conference.

Lengel was recognized for her oral presentation, “KEAP1-NRF2 Pathway Upregulates Thiol Antioxidants, NADPH Regeneration, and Iron Internalization that are Crucial for Survival and Proliferation in NSCLC Cells.” Her research was mentored by Doug Spitz, PhD.

Spitz and James Byrne, MD, PhD, also served as conference judges, supporting student researchers through questions, discussion, and written feedback. They joined approximately 60 faculty members and postdoctoral researchers who contributed their time and expertise to the conference.

Congratulations to Lengel, and thank you to our faculty for supporting medical student research!

View the conference presentations and awards.