Research

Wenyu Huang, Ph.D in the lab

We’re changing the world with research and innovation

Every day, scientists and scholars in Iowa State’s academically diverse College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) positively impact Iowa, the nation, and the world with innovative research that pushes the boundaries of science, technology, and the humanities.

Whether it’s in one of our neuroscience or robotics labs or in a state-of-the-art classroom, our community of LAS researchers is forging new paths – both individually and collaboratively.

Student conducts experiment with stem cells in a labStudent discoveries in the making

Undergraduate research is a key component of experiential learning, so LAS encourages undergraduate and graduate students to work with faculty to develop solutions to pressing global challenges. Our students are integral to research efforts, in areas such as energy security, mental health, or cancer treatment. We even have special paid opportunities for undergraduate research.

Creative collaborations

To address the grand challenges of our generation and enable new discoveries, many LAS researchers form collaborations across disciplines and continents. From the U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory here on campus to government, industry and community partners across Iowa and the world, we build teams to drive research for the common good.

But we don’t stop there. LAS is preparing students to work in interdisciplinary fields. Our new integrated health sciences degree brings together LAS research strengths and knowledge from disciplines such as genetics, statistics, the humanities, and others from across the university.

True success

We are proud of our faculty members who have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences and earned the National Science Foundation’s prestigious NSF CAREER award. However, the depth of our pride resides in the research conducted by our LAS students and faculty, which truly makes a difference in the world.

Strategic research initiatives

Red technology graphic with the words AI

Trusted Innovation in AI

See how researchers across LAS are advancing AI discovery, collaboration, and responsible innovation.

Our research matters

Recent discoveries

  • LAS researchers are part of university teams that receive funding for AI-focused projects

    The spring 2026 Research and Innovation Roundtable (RIR) – Leveraging AI to Advance Life Sciences and Agriculture – resulted in six projects selected for seed funding support from the Office of the President. All RIR projects are viewed as investments in the future of Iowa State University as outlined in the 2022–2031 Strategic Plan.
  • Book explores changes in attitudes and assumptions about crime

    A new book by Professor Matt DeLisi, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, and Matt Logan, associate professor in the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Texas State University, examines how changing attitudes and assumptions have influenced public thinking about crime, highlighting a gap between perception and research on chronic offending. This "criminal naïveté," they write, shapes debates on safety, accountability and criminal‑justice policy.
  • Classroom solution evolves into public resource for navigating AI tools

    As artificial intelligence tools debut and evolve at a rapid pace, Department of Computer Science Professor Wei Le and her students are developing a public website that tracks new AI releases and helps users make sense of the fast-changing technology.

Help us change the world