Research Development Services News

Barbra Coffee, Tucson’s director of economic initiatives, calls the University of Arizona a catalyst for growth—and says the city and university can do even more together.

U of A PhD student Hannah Ortiz gained career clarity through a six-month Amgen fellowship, advancing her pancreatic cancer research, learning cutting-edge techniques, and building key industry connections. She calls the experience “a defining moment” in her journey from dissertation to career.

ARCHES is applying rigorous research to real housing challenges in the Southwest—linking universities, students, policymakers, and communities to shape solutions.

The University of Arizona’s TRIO STEM and TRIO Teacher Prep programs have secured federal funding through 2030, ensuring continued support for first-generation, low-income, and disabled students. Serving over 250 students annually, the programs provide tutoring, mentoring, and professional development, with graduation and retention rates above 90%.

The WEST Center and the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center are pioneering flexible, decentralized water reuse systems that boost resilience for both military bases and civilian communities. “Water reuse isn’t just about fighting scarcity—it’s also about national security,” says Andrea Achilli, PI for the WEST-ERDC collaborations. 

U.S. News & World Report recently ranked the University of Arizona No. 2 in the nation and No. 31 worldwide in water resources, recognition fueled by groundbreaking research at the WEST (Water & Energy Sustainable Technology) Center. WEST is advancing technologies for water reuse while training both military cadets and civilian operators to lead the future of water security.

AI tools rely on structured signals to identify scholars accurately—Google Scholar, ORCID, and university pages form the strongest trio. Keeping these profiles clean, consistent, and interconnected boosts visibility and credibility.

U of A scholars Rebecca Tsosie and Michael Kotutwa Johnson urge society to embrace Indigenous seed stewardship as key to resilience and survival. Their new UCLA Law Review article, “The Seed is the Law,” calls for protecting heirloom seeds and traditional knowledge through Tribal, U.S., and international law.

The Center for Digital Humanities is using $3M from the U.S. Department of Commerce to expand high-speed internet access and digital programming to neighborhoods surrounding the University of Arizona.

John Lacy, a veteran mining law expert, has helped shape the field for over five decades. As director of the University of Arizona’s Global Mining Law Center, he’s focused on legal challenges in emerging areas like deep-sea and space mining.

Erica Hamden, director of the Arizona Space Institute, attended a U.S. Space Force SpaceWERX workshop, highlighting the role academia can play in space innovation. Inspired by the event, she’s encouraging U of A faculty to apply their research to space and national security efforts, aiming to make Tucson a hub for space technology and talent.

Fusion energy is becoming reality, and Tucson is leading the way. The University of Arizona and Leonardo Electronics US are working to make the region a hub for fusion innovation, commercialization, and workforce training. With strengths in optics, lasers, and materials science, Tucson is uniquely positioned to drive the future of clean, limitless energy.

French and American scientists from CNRS and the University of Arizona are joining forces to tackle climate change, public health, and sustainability. Through the France–Arizona Institute, six new research teams are developing innovative solutions while training the next generation of global researchers.

Retired Army Intelligence Officer Rick Rodriguez has joined the University of Arizona’s National Security Interdisciplinary Design Team. With 25+ years of experience in training and threat simulation, he brings valuable expertise to strengthen defense partnerships and bridge military and academic innovation.

At the U of A’s Campus Agricultural Center, a Hopi cornfield grows far from home as part of a quiet experiment in resilience. Blending traditional knowledge with scientific tools, a small team is asking what it takes to sustain both a crop—and a culture—in a changing climate.

Since its establishment by Congress in 1965, TRIO has helped more than six million Americans earn college degrees. TRIO programs are currently serving close to 900,000 middle school to college-going students across the country. At the U of A, five TRIO programs currently support 491 students.

In May, over 100 international delegates visited the University of Arizona to see firsthand why the region is becoming a top destination for healthcare innovation. From cutting-edge research and talent to booming biotech and medical manufacturing, U of A is at the center of it all. Hear from industry leaders, startups, and university experts about the partnerships and breakthroughs that are putting Southern Arizona on the global healthcare map.

Mark Schaeffer, vice president for strategy at Komatsu Mining Technology Solutions in Tucson, sees mining not as an outdated industry but as an essential, evolving driver of modern life—and one where meaningful innovation and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.

David Gantz, longtime leader of the University of Arizona’s International Trade and Business Law Program, calls Fulbright “a small budget item that delivers exceptional results.”

Melody Buckner, associate vice provost for digital learning at the University of Arizona, traveled to India on a Fulbright International Education Administrator Award to explore global academic partnerships and the future of online learning. Her experience affirmed the worldwide demand for collaboration with U.S. institutions and deepened her belief in the transformative power of international education.

During his Fulbright Specialist visit to Mumbai, professor Arun Dhar—a top expert on crustacean health—led hands-on trainings, mentored fisheries students, and helped propel India’s top aquatic health division to new national recognition.

Running on community pride and individuals' passion for what they do, U of A Yuma forges ahead, developing local talent and offering unique resources to the broader U of A community.

Arizona is playing a key role in national efforts to boost domestic mineral extraction. Recent developments include President Trump’s executive order to speed up U.S. mineral production and bipartisan legislation to include copper as a critical mineral. Arizona lawmakers are also pushing for policies to support mining and reduce foreign reliance.

The University of Arizona is advancing sustainable mining practices, improving mine safety with innovative technologies, and enhancing mining education through new initiatives like the Mining Schools Act of 2025. These efforts underscore Arizona’s leadership in the mining industry.

Mining connects humanity and sustains modern life, from medicines to smartphones. Angelina Anani champions responsible, innovative practices that balance progress with preservation.

The University of Arizona is one of the nation’s leading providers of Arabic studies. Sonia Shiri, director of Arabic Special Programs and professor of applied linguistics (MENAS), and her team have secured three new multi-year federal grants for a total of $5.9M.

Environmental science major Teresa Billick is gaining a unique perspective on sustainability through summer internships with a large mining company. Billick says the skills she is learning are highly transferable and offers thoughtful advice. 

Professor of film Michael Mulcahy uses an RII production grant and a few others to communicate the value of the land and its continued flourishing.

An internal grant, a telescope in Australia and a visionary mentor set the stage Adam Battle to secure a $1M NASA grant just months after earning his doctoral degree.

The Desert Difference AgTech Conference, held in November 2024 in Yuma, AZ, brought together a diverse audience to explore the future of agriculture in arid environments.

Our scientific understanding of drylands—ecosystems that cover 40% of Earth’s land surface—could be likened to a nearsighted person squinting. The Adaptation and Response in Drylands (ARID) project, a proposal to NASA led by a team including multiple University of Arizona scientists, intends to bring these vital landscapes into sharper focus.

Arizona geologists are well aware of the energy storage potential hidden within the state's vast underground salt deposits—and so is the government.

Sky Dominguez, associate director of Engagement & Program Development at the France-Arizona Institute for Global Grand Challenges, is the most recent U of A staff member selected for the Fulbright IEA award.

University of Arizona summer traineeship NSURP empowers diverse students in science.

These awards are part of the recently announced Defense University Research Instrumentation Program funding totaling $161 million to 281 university researchers across the U.S.

The University of Arizona is collaborating with Amgen, a global leader in biotechnology, to strengthen the nation’s STEM workforce.