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.

Our research matters

Recent discoveries

  • LAS faculty are part of teams awarded PIRS funding for innovative research

    The Iowa State University Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) has awarded $150,000 in 2026 Presidential Interdisciplinary Research Seed Grant (PIRS) funding to support three faculty-led teams pursuing innovative projects addressing human health, computing technologies, and next‑generation vaccines.
  • New psychology research links tired minds to unreliable evidence

    While research shows sleep-related fatigue affects how we think and feel, the impact of sleep loss on the reliability of statements and confessions in the legal system has received far less attention. A new research synthesis from Iowa State researchers examines this issue, including the need for evidence‑based standards to help judges and investigators recognize and account for sleep disruption in the legal process.
  • Chemistry professor's research leads to improved drugs, catalysts, and semiconductors

    Iowa State's Aaron Rossini has developed solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy methods that are helping design better drugs, catalysts and semiconductors. He was just part of a national panel that explained how NMR tools are "a cornerstone of modern research."

Help us change the world