Wildfires over the past decade have led to rises in surface ozone pollution across much of the continental United States, creating unhealthy air and contributing to hundreds more premature deaths annually, according to a new study published in the journal Science. Researchers warn that surface ozone pollution could continue to worsen as wildfires become more prevalent.

Chemists at the University of Iowa have created a light-activated structure that captures and stores water from the air. The millimeter-scale lattice forms tiny cavities under ultraviolet light. While still a proof of concept, the approach could lead to water-harvesting technologies.

The University of Iowa has opened its new Iowa Spaceflight Laboratory, a $7.2 million investment to expand space flight instruments and to further position the university as a national leader in space science.

University of Iowa researchers have learned that animals may keep their options open even when they know a single choice will generate a reward. In experiments with pigeons, the researchers report they operated “at the edge of chaos,” meaning the birds balanced a consistent reward with exploring other options.

Kevin Campbell, UI professor and internationally recognized researcher in the field of muscular dystrophy, has been named the 2026 winner of the August M. Watanabe Prize in Translational Research, a prestigious award that recognizes significant contributions to translational research.

A third-year student from Illinois was named a 2026 Goldwater Scholar, the nation’s most prestigious scholarship for undergraduate students pursuing careers in research.

The Office of the Vice President for Research has awarded funding to 12 interdisciplinary Iowa research teams to support the development of large, competitive grant proposals. By providing these teams with the strategic resources they need to build complex grant proposals, the UI is positioned to lead the nation in addressing some of our most pressing challenges.

The Office of the Vice President for Research recently recognized 11 outstanding undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers who are directly addressing critical issues facing Iowans and beyond, including cancer treatment, dementia care, and the effects of civil war on children.

Researchers led by the University of Iowa have described and named a new crocodile species that roamed a region in Africa more than 3 million years ago. The species is named Lucy’s hunter, because it overlapped with the famed Lucy and her hominin kin and would have hunted them.

A University of Iowa-led research team has documented in humans that physical exercise sparks an increase in brain waves called ripples connecting areas in the brain linked to learning and memory. The researchers noted that a single exercise session spawns a spike in ripples and learning-memory connections.

The Iowa Board of Regents will recognize six outstanding University of Iowa faculty members for their extraordinary contributions and sustained record of distinction in teaching, scholarship, and service.

The UI’s new Iowa Spaceflight Laboratory will expand space research on campus and help attract new internal and external research partnerships. Fueled by the success of the recent TRACERS mission, the lab further cements Iowa’s role as a national leader in building and testing space instruments.

The Van Allen belts were discovered in 1958 by UI physicist James Van Allen and his team using data from the first U.S. satellite, Explorer 1, revealing two donut-shaped zones of energetic, charged particles (protons and electrons) trapped by Earth's magnetic field, a major breakthrough that highlighted the dangers of radiation for satellites and astronauts and explained phenomena like auroras.

Look up while walking through downtown Iowa City and you’ll see the faces of 40 innovative UI student researchers featured in the 2026 Dare to Discover banner campaign, sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research. Learn more about these Hawkeyes who dare to create, cure, explore, imagine, and discover.

Three University of Iowa neuroscientists won 2025 Young Investigator Awards from the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. The awards help promising young scientists launch careers in neuroscience and psychiatry. This year marks the second time Kyle Flippo has received the award, a rare distinction.

Allison Levine, assistant professor in the College of Education, received a $2.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to use AI and virtual reality to help youths with disabilities prepare for careers in STEM fields. The project uses AI-driven virtual environments to help participants practice interpersonal and professional skills in realistic scenarios.

Tippie business analytics professor Patrick Fan isn’t a physician, but his research and collaboration with health care faculty could improve cancer care. Fan is using AI and data from thousands of patients to create models that predict a cancer patient’s risks and prevent complications during care. Fan’s work could help care teams improve outcomes and enhance patient comfort.

Tippie business analytics professor Patrick Fan isn’t a physician, but his research and collaboration with health care faculty could improve cancer care. Fan is using AI and data from thousands of patients to create models that predict a cancer patient’s risks and prevent complications during care. Fan’s work could help care teams improve outcomes and enhance patient comfort.