The University of Arizona is featured in a new consensus study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine that defines the evolving landscape of transdisciplinary collaboration in research. Titled The Science and Practice of Team Science, the report highlights how complex global challenges require convergence across disciplines and the institutional commitments that make this possible.

As part of the study, Kim Patten, assistant vice president for research development, served as a practitioner presenter. Her insights informed national-level recommendations on best practices, training, evaluation and policy support for effective science teams.

“This is about more than collaboration,” said Patten, who also serves as acting chief of staff in the Office of Research and Partnerships. “It’s about creating the conditions where our students, faculty and staff can lead at the intersection of disciplines—and where research truly serves the public good.”

The report’s findings echo U of A’s long-standing belief that breakthrough discoveries are made possible through deep convergent research. Initiatives like the Big Idea Challenge are designed to foster bold, transdisciplinary teams that push the boundaries of knowledge and deliver real-world impact across sectors and communities.

“Team science is at the heart of our strategic research efforts,” said Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, senior vice president for research and partnerships. “Whether we are advancing AI applications to improve health outcomes or unifying expertise across campus to support the commercialization of fusion energy, our most ambitious work depends on the strength of our teams and the ability to transcend disciplinary boundaries in service of society.”

The university’s national recognition through this report comes as the U of A accelerates work in several critical areas, including sustainable mineral resource development, defense-driven space science and next-generation approaches to health and energy. These efforts exemplify the university’s role as a catalyst for solutions to complex societal challenges.

Together, these priorities reflect U of A’s deep commitment to research excellence, which is one of the university’s three strategic imperatives alongside student success and community engagement. Through purposeful, transdisciplinary research, the University of Arizona continues to transform knowledge into impact for the state, the nation and the world.