I grew up in Williamsville, Illinois, a small town near Springfield. I completed my undergraduate degree in chemistry, biology, and humanities at Valparaiso University in Indiana. After college I married the love of my life, Steven. We then moved to Columbia, South Carolina, where I worked as an environmental chemist before beginning medical school at the University of Iowa. During medical school I volunteered at the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic and was active with Global Medicine Society. I love to travel, tell people about my travels, and dream of future travel. I’m involved with church activities in the tiny town of Swedesburg, where my husband is the pastor. At home I can often be found laughing at my two cats and cooking tasty food. I enjoy running, and I can think of nothing more pleasant than a long bike ride through the Iowa countryside on a sunny summer day. I welcome correspondence at lisa-zittergruen@uiowa.edu.