By Shadee Nowrouzi Completing the Ironman is hard enough as is. Now imagine taking on the challenge with Type 1 diabetes. Lauren Dahlin, a PhD student in information systems at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, completed her first full Ironman triathlon on Sept. 28, 2018, in Cambridge, Md. The race, which consists of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run, is considered one of the most challenging sporting events in the world.

Life’s unexpected and often rewarding turns are manifested in Rebecca Hann’s path to becoming a professor. Growing up in Hong Kong, she wanted to be a teacher. “I admired my good teachers — they loved what they did and they had a way to change the way you think about things,” she says. That impression inspired her in high school. “I tutored students to earn my allowance, but I always enjoyed it. It was gratifying when the student I helped had a light bulb moment."