Laura Mueldener, 26, fourth-year AuD student, died in Philadelphia, PA, March 24. She was completing her graduate audiology residency at Temple University Medical Center at the time of her death. Her AuD will be awarded posthumously by the University of Iowa, and her hood will be sent by the Graduate College to Laura's family.

The Laura Mueldener Memorial Scholarship has created by her family to support an Audiology graduate student in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. A direct link for giving is on the Center for Advancement website.

Laura majored in Speech and Hearing Science at Iowa, graduating in 2016 with a BA with distinction and honors. She began working in hearing research as an undergrad, presenting her honors thesis paper/poster at the American Auditory Society. During her undergraduate/graduate studies, she was credited with co-author status on a paper with Shawn Goodman. In a note to her family, he wrote: "Laura was one of those students who comes along only rarely. I saw incredible potential in her, and I feel privileged to have shared in her growth and development."

Laura went on to earn her master's degree in speech pathology and audiology before being accepted into the Doctorate of Audiology program at Iowa.

A native Iowan, Laura was born in Des Moines and is survived by her twin sister, brothers, mother, father, and step-mother. In view of the COVID-19 restrictions, a private family ceremony will be held. A public memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the University of Iowa Wendell Johnson Speech and Hearing Center, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, or to a charitable organization of choice.

Her full obituary may be read on-line on the Legacy website.