We are thrilled to announce that two Iowa Law students have been chosen to represent the College of Law in this year’s Dare to Discover campaign, organized by the Office of the Vice President for Research. This annual initiative celebrates 80 exceptional researchers, scholars, and creators from across the University of Iowa, highlighting their dedication to advancing knowledge and innovation.

Below, we spotlight the inspiring work of Roya Green and Isabella Siragusa, whose research embodies Iowa Law’s commitment to addressing critical global and societal challenges.

Roya Green – Analyzing AI's ability to prevent war 

Roya Green’s research focuses on the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to protect and save lives when used responsibly. She explores how AI can predict when and where conflicts will escalate into war and if peacekeepers and aid agencies should intervene before a situation turns into a humanitarian disaster. Green analyzes the risks of using AI in this manner and assesses proposals for establishing international regulations that would guide the use of AI to prevent war crimes and human rights violations. The findings of this work can help inform policymakers and organizations about best practices for implementing AI technologies while prioritizing human rights and humanitarian outcomes.

After graduation, Green hopes to pursue a master’s degree or certificate in AI and business and eventually work at the intersection of international and technology law.

In the spotlight of this year’s Dare to Discover campaign, Green shares her journey, inspirations, and the impact she envisions her work will have on global humanitarian efforts.

What inspired you to explore the intersection of AI and international law?

"During my 2L fall semester, I studied abroad at the University of Galway in Ireland, where I took courses on technology and human rights. While I was there, the October 7th attack occurred, and I began questioning whether technology could be used to predict and prevent atrocities, ultimately protecting innocent civilians on all sides. I was also keenly aware that technology has been misused in the region, often exacerbating conflicts and human suffering. However, I believe that the best way to combat this misuse is to harness technology for good. When I returned to Iowa Law in the spring, I was eager to further explore the intersection of human rights and technology. I reached out to Professor Farrell, who encouraged me and guided me in writing my paper, AI-Powered Solutions for Atrocity Prevention."

What has been the most surprising or impactful discovery in your work so far?

"One of the most impactful discoveries in my research has been the extent to which AI’s effectiveness in atrocity prevention depends on data access and quality. While AI has the potential to detect early warning signs of conflict, its accuracy is often hindered by biased, incomplete, or manipulated data. This highlighted for me that technological solutions alone are not enough—AI must be paired with strong human oversight, transparency, and collaboration with those on the ground to ensure ethical and effective use."

Isabella Siragusa – Assessing immigrants' access to resources 

Isabella Siragusa investigates resources available in Iowa and Illinois for immigrants and the legal counsel who represent them. While personnel in the Immigration Clinic in the College of Law are adept at legal research and working with US Customs and Immigration service on the legal issues of immigration, immigrants can face a wide range of concerns such as finding employment, obtaining health insurance, or getting a driver’s license. Siragusa’s work aims to connect immigrants and the attorneys that represent them to resources beyond the legal system that can help address these concerns.

After graduation, Siragusa hopes to continue representing immigrants as an attorney working in Chicago or San Francisco.

In the spotlight of this year’s Dare to Discover campaign, Siragusa shares her journey, inspirations, and the impact she envisions her work will have on resources available to immigrants.

What drew you to focus on the challenges immigrants face beyond legal issues?

"I was drawn to focus on the challenges immigrants face beyond legal issues because I have seen immigrants’ multidimensional problems and issues. As a legal clinic, we obviously focus on legal problems, but for many immigrants, the issue they bring to us is not the most important part of their lives. Some are desperate to work, need to get their degree, struggle to find support for their children, need therapy, don’t know how to get a driver’s license, and so many other things. What is the most important for an individual client for us as clinic students is sometimes met with indifference. For example, if a client has a hearing which we would like to prepare them for, rushing to meet is not important when there are more pressing issues, like finding a school that will accept them given their immigration status, not being able to afford groceries for their family, or needing to go to therapy to address the trauma and stress their life experiences have created."

What has been the most surprising or impactful discovery in your work so far?

"The most surprising discovery in my work so far has been the – maybe obvious – general premise that immigrants do not have the right to counsel. Having interacted with immigrants who both do and don’t have immigration cases in court, it seems extremely unfair and violative of basic due process. When a potential outcome of a case is removal from the country from which you sought safety or reunited with your family, immigrants should be afforded more protections than they have now."