By Will Bower 

Brandon Alpers, a fourth-year speech and hearing science student, was recently featured in the 2025 Dare to Discover campaign, sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research. Alpers was one of 19 undergraduate students featured in the campaign. 

The Dare to Discover campaign highlights work by researchers, scholars, and creators across all stages of their education at the University of Iowa. Alpers, who works in the Pediatric Audiology and Language Lab, was recognized for his study of hearing loss in children. He is mentored by faculty members Beth Walker and Kellsie Busho. 

Learn more about Brandon, his research, and his future plans in this Q&A. Responses have been edited lightly for style and clarity. 

What brought you to the University of Iowa from your home state of Minnesota? 

I was in sixth grade when I knew that I would someday attend the University of Iowa. I was born with sloping sensorineural unilateral hearing loss in my left ear. Hearing screenings were not mandated in my home state of Minnesota in 2002, so it wasn't until I failed numerous hearing tests at my wellness checks that my pediatrician raised any questions.  

Throughout the years, I became friends with my audiologists and grew more and more curious about what the red squares and blue circles meant. During my visit in sixth grade, I had lots of questions about hearing science, the pathway of sound through the ear, and the significance of my results. I was also thinking ahead and inquired about the best places in the Midwest to become an audiologist. My audiologist, Dr. Amanda Salmon pointed me in the direction of Iowa, and I never looked back.  

In the years leading up to attending the University of Iowa, I discovered that Iowa checked all my other boxes: ASL minor, collegiate marching band, Big Ten athletics, and a beautiful campus that felt like home. The University of Iowa was the perfect fit on paper, and it has been proven to be true for the past four years. 

What motivated you to study pediatric audiology? 

My love for children and my own experiences in the field of audiology motivated me to pursue pediatric audiology. I had the most amazing audiologists growing up that cultivated my love and passion for the field.  

Additionally, I am wrapping up my ASL minor in my final semester of undergrad. I have had the best experience learning ASL from my Deaf professors, engulfing myself into Deaf culture, and reading all about the history of the American Deaf community. Through my ASL classes, I have learned that Deaf people are proud of their identity and do not wish to be "fixed" by audiological interventions.  

This perspective has changed how I view pediatric audiology. Someday, I hope to work as an early interventionist audiologist who educates families with children that have hearing loss of all possible intervention options —ASL, cochlear implant, or a hybrid approach—so that they can make the best decision for their family.  

What are your plans after you graduate this May? 

This summer, I will return home to Cottage Grove, Minnesota, to work at the Midwest Hearing clinic—the same clinic I grew up visiting—as an Audiology Technician.  

This fall, I will begin my Doctor of Audiology at the University of Iowa while also serving as Drum Major of the Hawkeye Marching Band. I will definitely be busy this fall, but I am so incredibly excited to dive into the field of audiology and live out my dreams of being Drum Major for one more year. 

Where do you see yourself five years from now? 

Five years from now, I will be a year removed from the Doctor of Audiology program at the University of Iowa. I hope to be working in a children's hospital in a large metro area working as a pediatric audiologist. I hope to oversee newborn hearing screenings and serve as an early intervention audiologist.  I know working in the audiology department of a children's hospital will mean many hours and busy days. 

Once I am ready to start a family and settle down, I hope to move back home to the Twin Cities area and work at Midwest Hearing, so I can improve the lives of people in my home community through my audiological services. 

What other things are you interested in outside of your studies? 

I am the biggest Minnesota sports fan you will come across at the University of Iowa. My strongest loyalties lie with the Minnesota Twins. My idea of a perfect summer night consists of going to Target Field in Minneapolis to watch my Twins and indulge in all of the fun stadium foods.  

I also love supporting the Hawks, and you can find me at Hawkeye football games, men's and women's basketball games, gymnastics meets, and wrestling matches.  

Beyond sports, I enjoy hammocking, playing board games, doing puzzles, eating Chipotle, and spending time with my family and friends.