University of Arizona Research

The University was recognized by the Princeton Review for hosting programs and initiatives aimed at reducing waste, developing sustainable energy resources, and fostering community-wide interest in climate-conscious solutions to modern problems.

University of Arizona named one of the nation's top 'green colleges'

University of Arizona partners with nonprofit to launch greenhouse gas emissions program The Carbon Mapper collaboration aims to improve understanding of and accelerate reductions in global methane and carbon dioxide emissions.

Biosphere 2

Bridging traditional lab facilities and observational field research, the University of Arizona’s Biosphere 2 is the world’s largest controlled environment dedicated to understanding the implication, mitigation, and adaptation solutions for the resilience of our planet (Biosphere 1) due to the global climate crisis.

University of Arizona’s first look at asteroid sample reveals carbon, water NASA's University of Arizona-led OSIRISREx mission has returned a sample that scientists will study for decades to learn more about the formation of the solar system.

University of Arizona-led study shows the pace of climate-driven extinction is accelerating

Studying a lizard species in southeastern Arizona, researchers found 70 years' worth of climate-related extinction occurred in only seven years.

Final mirror of world's largest telescope takes shape at University of Arizona The Richard F. Caris Mirror Laboratory has begun fabrication of the seventh segment of the primary mirror necessary to complete the Giant Magellan Telescope, marking a milestone in the search for other potentially Earth-like planets and the exploration of the universe.

Tree rings reveal a new kind of earthquake threat to the Pacific Northwest University of Arizona research will have implications for seismic preparedness measures.

New University of Arizona center to study housing equity and sustainability Researchers are looking at the intersections of housing security, climate, and health with a focus on Hispanic and underserved communities in the arid Southwest.

University of Arizona scientists pursue new frontiers of sound with $30M center The New Frontiers of Sound Science and Technology Center will focus on topological acoustics, an emerging field in which properties of sound are exploited in ways that could vastly improve computing, telecommunications, and sensing.

University of Arizona addressing food, water, and economic security in a changing climate President Robert C. Robbins created a commission to identify solutions to the challenges facing Arizona agriculture in a rapidly changing climate. This work will have global implications.

University of Arizona virtual city prepares students for future of cybersecurity CyberApolis is a virtual city used to train the next generation of cyber professionals to address national security concerns.

An experiment at the University of Arizona's Biosphere 2 helped researchers better understand what happens to the world's ecosystem when water is scarce.

Soils under drought stress leak more volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere

University of Arizona researchers studying how to create inclusive STEM learning environments Funded by a National Science Foundation grant, a unique fellowship program aims to reach more students from diverse communities with science, technology, engineering, and math education.

University of Arizona researchers explore farming at existing solar power sites

The project could lead to new methods and improved outcomes for marginalized agricultural communities and foster solar development across Arizona and beyond.

Why record-breaking temps don't tell the whole story of cities battling extreme heat

University of Arizona experts on heat policy and governance found symptoms of the heat wave in the Southwest are being mirrored in places across the world, including similar temperature records being broken outside the United States.

University of Arizona researchers expand humanitarian and resilience efforts

With support from USAID grants, researchers are teaming up with partners around the world to promote resilience and create solutions to global climate challenges.

University of Arizona astronomers identify the earliest strands of the cosmic web Using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, a team of scientists has discovered a string of lined-up galaxies in the early universe, revealing clues – and questions – about the fundamental architecture of the universe.

University of Arizona studies societal challeng es in arid lands

2.1 billion people globally live in arid lands similar to those in the Southwest. As climate change increases, our region serves as a microcosm for the resulting burden on human health from water scarcity and respiratory issues caused by exposures unique to the desert.

Tech Launch Arizona In the past 11 years, the University of Arizona’s tech transfer and commercialization efforts have generated realworld impact from the application of innovation and inventions stemming from research. Out of over 135 startups launched, close to 10% are in the energy and climate space.

University of Arizona and partners form consortium to address Southwest water concerns As traditional sources of water run low, concern around Arizona's water supply is growing. A team of researchers is working to address the problem by advancing water reuse techniques.

NASA extends University of Arizona-led mission to study second near-Earth asteroid, Apophis The research team will work to understand the asteroid's evolution and characteristics, including Apophis' material strength, porosity, and density.

EPA awards the University of Arizona $10M for new environmental justice center The grant will fund the university's Western Environmental Science Technical Assistance Center for Environmental Justice, one of 17 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers selected as part of a new program launched in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy.

University of Arizona scientists use AI to identify likely drug targets in search for Alzheimer's cure A team of scientists is harnessing artificial intelligence to trace the path from a healthy brain cell to one afflicted by Alzheimer's disease.

University of Arizona leads $70M project to turn desert shrub into rubber Guayule is a sustainable crop with the potential to provide a reliable domestic rubber source.

University of Arizona scientists develop new way to measure wind Using data from two NOAA satellites, researchers have developed an algorithm for measuring wind via water vapor.

Cities use energy to regulate temperature – just like mammals A University of Arizona undergraduate student looked at cities as living things to investigate how human energy use changes with rising temperatures. Her research could help save lives from heat waves.

University of Arizona researchers use 3D radar scan to provide clues about threats to iconic Alaskan glacier Mapping a large coastal glacier in Alaska revealed that its bulk sits below sea level and is undercut by channels, making it vulnerable to accelerated melting in an already deteriorating coastal habitat.

Optical switching at record speeds opens door for ultrafast, lightbased electronics and computers University of Arizona physicists led an international team in achieving optical switching of a light signal at attosecond speeds to reach previously unattainable data transfer speeds. An attosecond is one quintillionth of a second.

Climate models and natural climate archives are at odds over whether Earth gradually warmed or cooled over the past few thousand years. According to University of Arizona research, the most comprehensive evaluation of evidence supports a cooling trend that lasted until industrialization kicked off the current warming trend.

Before global warming, was Earth cooling down or heating up?

Economic impact of University of Arizona space sciences rivals that of Super Bowl

Report outlines significant impact of the University’s space sciences activities, which generate $560.5 million every year for the economy.

University of Arizona receives USDA award to support 'climate-smart' food production The grant is funding a project that aims to integrate time-tried techniques and desert crops from arid regions into inventive agricultural practices and technologies that will lead to a more resilient food future.

Researchers will create humanlike cancer models and growth environments to help improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

$10.8M University of Arizona initiative unites engineering and health researchers to improve cancer treatments

James Webb Telescope gives University of Arizona astronomers unprecedented glimpses into stellar nurseries

As part of the largest survey of nearby galaxies, astronomers have obtained never-before-seen details of how young, newly forming stars influence the structure of the gas and dust in their host galaxies.

University of Arizona researchers harness the power of algae to capture carbon An astrobiologist, an engineer and an ecologist have formed Atmospherica, a collaboration to mitigate the worst effects of climate change.

Researchers predict a 56%-91% decline in individual tree growth, suggesting future forests will have smaller trees and soak up less carbon.

University of Arizona research aids predictions about the future of forests

multiplanetary species: Crew completes first mission in pressurized habitat at Biosphere 2 University of Arizona research results offer lessons not only on how to successfully live on the moon and other planets, but also how to live more sustainably on Earth.

University of Arizona to be carbon-neutral by 2040 The University’s Office of Sustainability moved up the goal from 2050 to 2040 and now believes carbon neutrality is possible even before then.

University of Arizona researchers use an open-air, living laboratory that spans parts of Arizona and New Mexico to better understand how mineral weathering – the breaking down or dissolving of rocks and minerals over time – feeds into Earth's intricate life-support system.

Microbes are 'active engineers' in Earth's rock-to-life cycle

University of Arizona to advance molecular-level solar science at $11M center The Energy Frontier Research Center will bring together a national collaboration to create solar fuels and storage technologies that are more durable and sustainable, but less expensive.

Tropical cyclones act as 'massive heat pumps that fuel extreme heat Extreme heat often follows tropical cyclones and can complicate disaster recovery even further, University of Arizona researchers have found.

University of Arizona cuts carbon footprint with all-renewable grid-purchased power A 20-year agreement with Tucson Electric Power reduces the University’s carbon footprint by a third, saving millions of dollars and continuing to position us as a leader in sustainable operations.

$10M award elevates University of Arizona hypersonics facilities to national prominence Upgrades will provide world-class infrastructure not typically seen at universities and will allow for impactful ground testing services to the U.S. Department of Defense and its contractors, NASA, and emerging private ventures supporting space and commercial travel.

University of Arizona earns seventh top 10 global ranking in water resources The University's decades-long work in the field of water resources is a defining characteristic. As issues surrounding water security, sustainability, and climate resiliency continue to grow, our experts are focused on creating solutions the world needs.

University of Arizona Center for Innovation Part of Tech Parks Arizona, the UA Center for Innovation is a business incubator network that empowers science and technology startups in Southern Arizona and around the world to bring their ideas to market.

University of Arizona desert laboratory answers ‘How does life cope with aridity’?

Ongoing research at Tumamoc Hill addresses our changing environment by combining cultural, scientific, and community approaches to study biodiversity and conservation.

$10M USDA grant allows University of Arizona to expand agrivoltaics research The University has conducted pioneering research on agrivoltaics and is part of a national team analyzing how growing crops under solar panels can best be implemented across the country and world.