News
Fri, 02/28/2025
Record-high research at KU benefits Kansans, fuels state economy
Research and development expenditures spanning all University of Kansas campuses increased to $546.1 million in fiscal year 2024, surpassing the half-billion-dollar mark for the first time in university history. The reverberations of that growth extend far beyond KU to benefit people throughout the Sunflower State and beyond.
Fri, 02/28/2025
KU, Kansas State faculty receive Higuchi-KU Endowment research achievement awards
Four faculty members at two Kansas universities were named recipients of the Higuchi-KU Endowment Research Achievement Awards, the state higher education system’s most prestigious recognition for scholarly excellence.
Thu, 02/27/2025
‘Swiss Army knife’ of KU facilities creates welcoming environments for the research community
Suzanne Kerich supports research staff as a facilities manager
Fri, 01/31/2025
'Creating knowledge in common'
When KU students designed and built a shade structure in a Lawrence park in 2019, they did more than fulfill their architecture course requirements. They also helped realize a vision for sustainable university-community partnerships that the city has since replicated in other neighborhoods. Five years later, the award-winning project is inspiring a new audience through its inclusion in a special collection of articles about 10 university-community partnerships that center the arts and design.
Fri, 01/31/2025
I am striving to spread sustainable building practices for the health of our planet
Dan Rockhill, J.L. Constant Distinguished Professor of Architecture, developed a way to finance teaching and research in sustainable design practices.
Fri, 01/31/2025
Research development specialist helps KU earn funding for international education
Brett Bias helped the two centers win the National Resources Center and Foreign Language & Area Studies grants that are critical to their missions.
Fri, 11/22/2024
'I am striving to ensure that the Latina experience remains at the center of US history.'
Tiffany González, assistant professor of history, uses archival materials to understand how Latinas entered electoral politics to advance civil rights for their communities.
Fri, 11/22/2024
Associate director helps social science researchers earn external awards
Jamie Jones, associate director of project development at the Life Span Institute, remembers the details needed for successful proposals.
Mon, 11/11/2024
KU researchers help launch free course to promote safety, inclusion in fieldwork
University of Kansas scientists recently helped develop and launch a free online course that provides tools to promote safe and inclusive field environments. The course is geared toward anyone who participates in fieldwork, including researchers, field coordinators, technicians and students.
Thu, 10/31/2024
#KUFieldWorks: Improving our understanding of genomics by observing flowers
Editor’s note: Fieldwork provides invaluable insights about real-world environments and processes, expanding and reinforcing what researchers learn in classrooms, labs and collections. KU faculty, staff and students across a spectrum of disciplines take their inquiry directly to rivers, prairies, dig sites, glaciers, islands, archives and more. Through the #KUFieldWorks series,...
Thu, 10/31/2024
Staff leader essential to success of statewide research initiative
Claudia Bode | Education, Outreach & Diversity Director | Kansas NSF EPSCoR...
Wed, 10/30/2024
Plan ahead for KU Research 2024 winter break hours
The KU Office of Research will be closed over winter break. In order to be proactive in meeting the research community’s needs, we have established deadlines that will help ensure we provide necessary services while allowing staff to use the winter break leave they have earned.
Tue, 10/29/2024
Aspiring to membership in the National Academies
For many scholars, being selected as a member of one of the three National Academies — Sciences, Engineering or Medicine — is one of the highest professional honors. Why? Because NAS, NAE or NAM membership represents being acknowledged as one of the best and brightest scientific minds.
Thu, 10/17/2024
Design-Zyme, KU collaboration results in $3 million SBIR award for Lyme disease vaccine development
The woods can be a place of adventure and beauty, a peaceful escape for a walk. But among the leaves and grass, the threat of ticks can turn a hike into a health-altering encounter with Lyme disease. A recent $3 million Small Business Innovation Research award will fund the research and development of a vaccine to stop Lyme disease in its tracks.
Fri, 09/27/2024
Data services librarian trains researchers in data management
Jamene Brooks-Kieffer, data services librarian, provides resources to help faculty understand the data they collect.
Wed, 09/25/2024
KU delegation makes connections at AAAS gala in Washington, D.C.
The university supported the Sept. 21 event as an institutional sponsor and invited a delegation of fellows to participate as a way to elevate the institution’s visibility in the organization and form connections that contribute to opportunities for engagement related to research and science policy, career development, and potential collaborations with peers.
Wed, 09/18/2024
Postdoc develops software and games to explain relationships between society and water resources
Malena Orduña Alegría shows how human activity impacts water quality and availability.
Tue, 09/17/2024
Postdoctoral researcher continues cycle of mentorship for future plant scientists
Joel Swift, postdoctoral researcher in the Wagner Lab, notes the importance of undergrad research for future scientists.
Mon, 09/16/2024
Chemistry postdoc strives to improve women’s health through precision medicine
Shakila Peli Thanthri is helping equip doctors with faster, more efficient diagnostic tools.
Thu, 09/05/2024
KU leading multi-institutional program to support undergraduate STEM research and student retention
The University of Kansas, in collaboration with five other regional higher education institutions, has been awarded a five-year, $3.5 million National Science Foundation Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation grant. The award will establish the Aligning STEM Trainees for Enterprising Research (ASTER) program and fund undergraduate research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Thu, 08/29/2024
Faculty Recognition & Awards website launches
KU faculty can now find information about external achievement awards on the newly published Office of Faculty Recognition & Awards website. The site offers general advice about why awards matter, ways in which the office can assist with support for nominations, and a table that lists KU faculty who have been acknowledged by various outside organizations.
Thu, 08/29/2024
KU researchers to support sustainable manufacturing through joint Schmidt Sciences/Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research grant
University of Kansas scientists are playing leading roles in a real-life waste-to-treasure story poised to create a more sustainable future for humanity.
Fri, 08/23/2024
Kansas Department of Commerce grant helps bolster KU startup ecosystem
A $500,000 Forging Opportunities for Research, Growth & Entrepreneurship grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce will help KU create software, infrastructure and financial mechanisms needed to bridge the gap between academia and industry, growing the state’s economy while enhancing the university’s teaching and research missions.
Wed, 07/31/2024
Numerous KU researchers supported with NSF early-career awards
Since 1995, 50 of KU’s current faculty have won the award, which is designated as “prestigious” by the National Research Council. Along with enabling recipients to fund innovative research, prestigious awards contribute to KU’s strength as an AAU member institution.
Tue, 07/30/2024
Associate director ensures research administrators are well-informed in an ever-changing landscape
Nancy Biles, associate director of research administration, promotes professional development for grant coordinators.
Wed, 06/05/2024
KU ranks 60th among US public universities granted utility patents in 2023
For the second year in a row, the University of Kansas has landed a spot on the National Academy of Inventors' top 100 U.S. Universities Granted Utility Patents list. The 2023 list showcases universities that play a pivotal role in advancing the innovation ecosystem within and beyond the United States.
Thu, 05/30/2024
Establishing a faculty recognition ecosystem at KU
Creating a faculty recognition ecosystem at KU requires taking actions that reflect our commitment to supporting faculty and honoring their efforts to advance knowledge and achieve discoveries that make a difference in people’s lives.
Thu, 05/30/2024
Museum staff member helps researchers connect with the public
Eleanor Gardner, outreach & engagement coordinator at the KU Biodiversity Institute, helps PIs execute broader impacts activities.
Wed, 05/29/2024
#KUFieldWorks: Uncovering postwar theatre history in Vienna and Berlin
Rebecca Rovit, associate professor of theatre, visited archives, museum and historical sites for her forthcoming book.
Wed, 05/29/2024
KU research leaders receive recognition, federal funding to help us better understand and thrive in our world
Five early-career scientists earned $3.5 million to expand their ongoing research.