The Molecular Medicine Graduate Program at the University of Iowa proudly congratulates Dr. Xin Ding on the successful defense of her doctoral dissertation, "Prefrontal Cortex Diversity in Interval Timing," on July 20, 2026.

Under the mentorship of Nandakumar Narayanan, MD, PhD, Dr. Ding's research investigated the diversity of prefrontal cortex neurons involved in interval timing, advancing our understanding of the neural mechanisms that support cognition and complex behavior.

The successful completion of a doctoral degree represents years of perseverance, scientific inquiry, and dedication to advancing biomedical research. Throughout her graduate training, Dr. Ding has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence, and her accomplishments reflect the significant contributions she has made to the Molecular Medicine Graduate Program and the broader scientific community.

We extend our sincere congratulations to Dr. Ding on this outstanding achievement and wish her continued success as she begins the next chapter of her scientific career.

Congratulations, Dr. Ding!