University of Arizona Research

Undergraduate research informs local African American historical exhibits One U of A history course partnered with the African American Museum of Southern Arizona, allowing undergraduate research to directly shape museum exhibits focused on African American history, culture...

In honor of Black History Month, we spotlight History 102 students’ partnership with the African American Museum of Southern Arizona. Taught by Katherine Morrissey, the course links undergraduate research to museum exhibits featuring underdocumented Black history in the area. tinyurl.com/5bzke927

Collaboration aims to accelerate personalized cancer therapy development Researchers are using AI and mRNA to turn tumor mutations into targets, training the immune system to hunt down and destroy cancer cells.

University of Arizona researchers are partnering with Quantoom Biosciences to develop personalized mRNA cancer vaccines. Using AI to identify tumor-specific neoantigens, the team looks to train the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. More: tinyurl.com/2ezvh25c

Cosmic predators: How supermassive black holes slow star growth in nearby galaxies A new study led by University of Arizona astronomers suggests that black holes may have played a much larger role in shaping the growth of galaxies in the early universe than previously thought.

Supermassive black holes may shape entire regions of the universe. Using JWST, University of Arizona astronomers found radiation from a powerful quasar suppressed star formation in galaxies up to a million light-years away. Galaxies may evolve as ecosystems, not alone. More: tinyurl.com/48dszmf8

U of A opens newly expanded semiconductor lab Funding from the Arizona Commerce Authority supports the Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing’s efforts to boost workforce development and research partnerships.

The U of A opened its expanded Nanofabrication Core Facility, backed by $35.5M from the Arizona Commerce Authority. The 6,800-sq.-ft. clean room advances semiconductor research, industry partnerships hands-on education and statewide workforce development. More: tinyurl.com/yv473p35

Corals in Biosphere 2's Ocean Habitat may help save reefs around the world Stocking the Biosphere 2 Ocean with corals, researchers kicked off a multi-year experiment to help develop new solutions that could make coral reefs more resilient to threats from rising sea temperatu...

For the first time in over 30 years, living corals return to Biosphere 2’s Ocean Habitat. Scientists are testing how they respond to warmer waters to help reefs worldwide build climate resilience. More: tinyurl.com/4bm7bcd7

How reaching for the hoop prepared Marcia Rieke to reach for the stars Recognizing her accomplishments both in unraveling mysteries of the deep cosmos and excelling on the court as an undergraduate student, Regents Professor Marcia Rieke was named the U of A's Faculty of...

Regents Professor Marcia Rieke is the U of A honoree for the Big 12 Faculty of the Year award. As principal investigator of NIRCam on the James Webb Space Telescope, she has helped redefine our understanding of the early universe through infrared astronomy. More: tinyurl.com/2eyjy34d

Federal earmark provides $3M for U of A mineral processing facility A bipartisan spending package included funding to support the state's critical minerals supply chain.

A $3M federal earmark will launch a modular, pilot-scale mineral processing facility at the University of Arizona, strengthening the mining workforce pipeline, industry partnerships and advancing technologies critical to national security and U.S. supply chains. More: tinyurl.com/5aanjxt4

Parker Solar Probe data is helping Lunar and Planetary Laboratory scientists measure the ever-changing boundary of the sun’s atmosphere where the solar wind originates.

More than microchips: Arizona's blueprint for building a high-tech workforce The University of Arizona formalized an agreement with National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taiwan to redefine workforce development in a high-tech, globally interconnected economy.

The U of A formalized an agreement with National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University to establish a Talent and Innovation Hub, preparing students for high-tech, globally connected careers through dual degrees, cultural competency and immersive international experiences. More: tinyurl.com/mve6cc2e

U of A takes leading operations role in NASA mission The University of Arizona is mission control for the Pandora mission, which will help scientists study exoplanets and their stars.

Pandora is now operated from @uarizona.bsky.social's Multi-Mission Operation Center, marking the first on-orbit NASA mission managed by the university. Pandora will study exoplanet atmospheres while the U of A leads end-to-end mission operations. More: tinyurl.com/3nbpdnp7

Inside the Kyl Institute for National Security: A Q&A with Robin Rand Robin Rand, president and CEO of the Kyl Institute for National Security, discusses the institute's mission, his priorities and the opportunities the institute creates for faculty and students.

In this Q&A, retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Robin Rand outlines the mission of the Kyl Institute for National Security, his leadership priorities and opportunities for University of Arizona faculty and students. More: tinyurl.com/bcky4rb6

The Astrobiology Interdisciplinary Research Seed Grant 2026
Applications due Wednesday, February 18, 2026, by 5 p.m.

The AABC Seed Grant program is an opportunity to foster creative scholarship and engagement in the expansive field of astrobiology.

More: astrobiology.arizona.edu/sites/defaul...

ARPA-H award will fund creation of portable lymphatic imaging scanner A University of Arizona team will research and develop a super-resolution lymphatic imaging system.

U of A researchers receive up to $1.8M from
Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health to develop a portable, super-resolution lymphatic imaging scanner for lymphatic disease. Led by Russell Witte, the team is building Phase Change Ultrasound Lymphograph or PCUS. More: tinyurl.com/mvk98b66

AI-powered wearable boosts preventative care for elderly University of Arizona engineers design a mesh sleeve that monitors leg movements with AI for subtle signs of frailty.

U of A researchers are advancing preventative care with an AI-powered wearable that can detect early signs of frailty before falls or hospitalization occur. The soft sleeve uses Edge AI to analyze gait on-device. Published in Nature Communications. More: tinyurl.com/5z2ckket

U of A announces the Kyl Institute for National Security The forward-deployed research hub draws on institutional strengths to safeguard the country and honors University of Arizona alumnus and former U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl.

U of A is launching the Kyl Institute for National Security, expanding mission-driven research that supports U.S. defense and federal partners. Ret. USAF Gen. Robin Rand will serve as president and CEO of the institute named for U of A alumnus and former U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl. tinyurl.com/5a2x58wd

Pandora, a keen-eyed satellite built to study exoplanets, readies for launch After clearing its last hurdle on its way to space, the University of Arizona-led Pandora satellite mission is awaiting to be launched into orbit, where it will study at least 20 exoplanets and their ...

The NASA satellite mission Pandora led by the @uarizona.bsky.social will take long, detailed looks at exoplanets and their host stars, expanding our knowledge of distant worlds. Mission operations will be led at the U of A, continuing our legacy in space science. tinyurl.com/55842j6v

Portrait of Horst Hahn.

Meet Horst Hahn, a global leader in materials science now guiding the University of Arizona’s role in the STARFIRE Hub. He’s driving innovation in fusion tech to help make clean, sustainable energy a reality. More: tinyurl.com/3echvtay

U of A researchers accelerate quantum computing at $125M center College of Engineering researchers will play a key role in developing quantum technology to advance solutions in machine learning, drug development, data storage, agriculture and cybersecurity.

Meet Bane Vasić, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the U of A. His quantum research reduces errors in fragile qubits, helping advance scalable quantum computing for machine learning, agriculture and cybersecurity. More: tinyurl.com/43njvwjv

Two individuals in a broadcast studio engaged in a conversation, seated across a table with microphones and audio equipment.

In a new episode of It’s an Honor, Dean John Pollard speaks with Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, SVP for research and partnerships at the U of A, about fusion energy, AI and health, security and space science, and the mentors and persistence that shaped his career. Listen now: tinyurl.com/bdhtdr5b

New research links health impacts related to 'forever chemicals' to billions in economic losses A University of Arizona study finds that PFAS contamination imposes annual social costs of at least $8 billion.

A U of A–led study linked PFAS in drinking water to higher infant mortality and preterm births, costing the U.S. $8 billion each year. The findings suggest major health and economic benefits from PFAS cleanup. More: tinyurl.com/mtbkda8f

The monster hiding in plain sight: JWST reveals cosmic shapeshifter in the early universe University of Arizona astronomers discover a galaxy with a dual personality – appearing ordinary in visible light while harboring an extraordinarily massive black hole.

A galaxy called Virgil, seen just 800 million years after the Big Bang, looks ordinary in visible light but infrared observations uncover a dust-shrouded, overmassive supermassive black hole growing faster than its galaxy. More: tinyurl.com/48ds4t5t

After volcanic eruptions in Iceland, @uarizonalpl.bsky.social researchers studied what happens when life starts from scratch. They found that microbes quickly colonize freshly cooled lava, surviving extreme conditions and laying the foundation for new ecosystems.

A new look at TRAPPIST-1e, an Earth-sized, habitable-zone exoplanet Recently reported methane signatures detected by the James Webb Space Telescope could be a hint to it potentially harboring life, but University of Arizona researcher Sukrit Ranjan urges caution.

New research from the U of A revisits TRAPPIST-1e, a nearby Earth-sized exoplanet in the habitable zone. Webb data showed possible methane, but follow-up analysis led by Sukrit Ranjan indicates the signal may originate from the host star. More: tinyurl.com/ycrjb8ve

Schaibley named inaugural faculty fellow to unify quantum research at U of A John Schaibley is leading efforts to connect quantum researchers and strengthen industry partnerships.

The U of A Office of Research and Partnerships named John Schaibley, associate professor of physics, as its first Faculty Fellow for Quantum. He will coordinate and expand quantum research, launch a strategic planning effort and bring together researchers across disciplines. tinyurl.com/55abka77

A type of immune cell could hold a key to preventing scar tissue buildup in wounds Researchers in the College of Medicine – Tucson’s Department of Surgery are uncovering new insights into how mechanical strain on cells affects healing.

A new @uarizona.bsky.social study in Nature Biomedical Engineering found a previously unknown immune cell type that drives fibrosis. Blocking its signaling reduced scarring and improved healing, which could lead to new fibrosis treatments.

Unraveling the mysteries of ancient solar storms and earthquakes Tree-ring and planetary scientists are preparing for the big natural events thanks to a Big Idea Challenge grant and a new laboratory.

U of A researchers are using tree-ring science to study ancient solar storms and major earthquakes. With the TIME Lab’s advanced radiocarbon techniques, the team is uncovering patterns that may improve predictions of space-weather hazards and seismic risks. More: tinyurl.com/5x3mmakh

U of A researchers awarded federal grant to explore topical immunoprevention for skin cancer A new study seeks to prevent nonmelanoma skin cancers, reducing the need for invasive treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy.

The U of A received $917,000 to study immune-based ways to prevent keratinocytic skin cancers. The study will identify early immune signals in sun-damaged skin to guide new topical interventions that stop cancer before it begins. More: tinyurl.com/hth28r5c @uazcancercenter.bsky.social

Revolutionizing wound care with AI A University of Arizona physician-scientist is developing smart bandages that continuously monitor wounds to predict and treat infections early.

What if a bandage could sense an infection before it becomes visible? Dr. Geoffrey Gurtner and his team are developing smart bandages that use sensors and AI to monitor wounds and guide early treatment. Learn more from his Q&A. More: tinyurl.com/4sbbnaup

U of A's Mars camera gets close look at comet from interstellar space HiRISE, a U of A-led Mars imaging camera aboard NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, found itself closer than any other imaging tool to comet 3I/ATLAS as it passed through the solar system.

The University of Arizona operated @uahirise.bsky.social
camera aboard NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured the closest image of comet 3I/Atlas, only the third interstellar object ever detected. bit.ly/49nQ7qh

Extensive LA-area fires altered blood proteins in firefighters, raising health concerns A new study found that firefighters exposed to the Palisades and other fires had changes in their immune system and inflammatory response protein pathways.

U of A researchers found that firefighters who battled the massive urban fires in the Los Angeles area in January 2025 developed physiological changes that may increase their risk of diseases, including cancer. More: tinyurl.com/58epebw5 @uazcancercenter.bsky.social