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 virtual reality 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 solutions

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 in the thick of research discoveries, like tracking superflares in space, measuring NBA basketball players’ participation in activism or improving vocal music education for children.

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 esteemed 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 recently created a new interdisciplinary science communication certificate that equips our students with the knowledge, reasoning and ethics to effectively communicate scientific research advances while also addressing public controversy and misinformation.

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 research team receives Bridging the Divide grant

    Claus Kadelka, associate professor of mathematics, and Filip Viskupič, assistant professor of political science, received a $50,000 Bridging the Divide seed grant from the Office of the Vice President for Research to build next-generation epidemiological models.
  • Taking intermittent quizzes reduces achievement gaps

    Research by an Iowa State psychology professor and graduate student found that inserting brief quiz questions into an online lecture can boost learning and may reduce racial achievement gaps, even when students are tuning in remotely in a distracting environment.
  • Jacqueline Reber explains why we should care about granular systems

    Did you know that you interact with granular systems every day? From eating cereal to walking on a gravel path, granular systems are everywhere. Jacqueline Reber, professor in the Department of the Earth, Atmosphere, and Climate, describes how granular systems work in the latest edition of The Conversation.

Help us change the world