Iowa State University Research

Every researcher starts somewhere.

For the 100+ students that took part in today's Summer Undergraduate Research Showcase at Iowa State, this may be one of their first opportunities to share their work with a broader audience.

While "research" often brings to mind a lab, or field, or studio, that's only part of the process.

Yes, research is studying something deeply...but it ends with communicating what you've found with others.

Congrats to all who presented their work!

What do rocket trajectories, long walks on Ames trails, and autonomous drones have in common?

They're all part of Shana Moothedath's research journey.

An Iowa State engineering professor, Moothedath creates algorithms that help autonomous systems learn, adapt, and make decisions together in real time. From research with India's space agency to leading a robotics lab in Ames, her work is helping shape the future of artificial intelligence and autonomous technology.

Learn more about the researcher behind the innovation: https://research.iastate.edu/faces-of-discovery/shana-moothedath/

Research at Iowa State University is helping solve challenges that matter to Iowa families, farmers, businesses, and communities.

This year, Iowa State researchers secured funding for projects that are:

-Advancing the next generation of agricultural technologies with industry partners like John Deere
-Improving understanding of women's brain health and aging
-Using artificial intelligence to accelerate innovations in energy, manufacturing, health care, and water quality

These investments support Iowa jobs, train future workforce leaders, strengthen partnerships with Iowa industries, and generate discoveries that benefit communities across the state.

Even in a changing national funding environment, Iowa State researchers continue to develop solutions that improve lives and strengthen Iowa's economy.
Learn more: https://research.iastate.edu/2026/07/16/iowa-state-receives-254-6-million-in-external-research-funding-in-fy2026/

Iowa State receives $254.6 million in external research funding in FY2026 For the fiscal year that closed June 30, 2026, Iowa State University saw a noticeable shift in its research funding as the federal funding landscape continued to evolve over the past 12 months. After attracting more than $300 million in external sponsored research funds each of the past three fiscal

Hear Iowa State Vice President for Research Peter Dorhout explain how the RuralSTAMINA initiative will strengthen rural communities, create new economic opportunities, and advance biomanufacturing innovation across Iowa and Nebraska.

https://youtu.be/03FKtnxJkLo?si=k6zrI_fhgFAowKWG

Project to strengthen rural communities through biomanufacturing receives $15 million Discover how RuralSTAMINA is advancing biomanufacturing across Iowa...

Bird flu can infect mammary glands, ISU researchers find ⬇️ Click the link in comments to read more

Empowering students through meaningful connections with world-class faculty and groundbreaking research is central to Iowa State’s mission of driving innovation and global impact.

“The undergraduates involved in research at Iowa State contribute to the new knowledge that is generated in every department, whether it’s English, physics, biology, or engineering. It’s important for students to be able to gain a much deeper understanding of the scientific enterprise,” said Don Sakaguchi, Morrill Professor and Director of Biology and Genetics Undergraduate Programs at Iowa State.

Continue reading how ISU is educating the next generation of researchers: https://go.iastate.edu/TTQIOP