Facilities

Applied Research Building

The Applied Research Building

Designed to Enable Real World Innovations

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The Applied Research Building (ARB) is a highly specialized, one-of-a-kind, 89,000-square-foot facility that pairs new applied research capabilities with state-of-the-art equipment and technology and brings together several interdisciplinary university programs under one roof.

It will provide regionally unique capabilities for the university, allow for expansion of industry and advanced manufacturing partnerships, and turn research and discovery into practical, real-world solutions that produce societal impact.

The ARB houses the state-of-the-art equipment and technologies to advance research in optics, manufacturing, space exploration, and more. Learn about eight of the building's key facilities for driving forth applied innovations in these areas.

Download posters

PDF file of posters describing key areas of the ARB building

Download program

Program for Applied Research Building Grand Opening Event

Thermal Vacuum Chamber

About

While the average temperature on a typical April day in Tucson is about 81 degrees Fahrenheit, temperatures on Mars average about minus 81 degrees. All materials – even aluminum and titanium, both of which are commonly used to fabricate nanosatellites – perform differently under different conditions. Spacecraft and high altitude, balloon-borne, science payloads benefit from testing in the conditions they will operate in after launch. The Thermal Vacuum Chamber (TVC) simulates both the pressure and temperature conditions found in space, as well as the near space environment. This facilitates testing the performance of all components and subsystems prior to launch.

Fast Facts

  • The TV chamber can fit objects the size of an entire pickup truck inside of it
  • It weighs 40 tons, or roughly 81,000 pounds
  • It is 30 feet long
  • Normal atmospheric pressure is defined as 1 atmosphere or 760 torr
  • The TVC can maintain a vacuum pressure at 5 torr for balloon borne missions, and as low as 1x10-5 torr for space based missions
  • The TVC can cool its inner shrouds to -10C for balloon borne missions
  • The TVC can cool its inner shrouds to the temperature of liquid nitrogen, or -315°F
  • Tests inside the TVC can run from a day to two weeks
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Illustration of a vaccum chamber from the outside

Anechoic Chamber

About

This nonreflective, echo-free room is called an anechoic (a-nih-KOH-ik) chamber. The chamber is built with radio-wave-absorbing material applied to the walls, ceiling, and floor. The absorptive material – a carbon-filled foam – is designed to keep sound waves from bouncing. The conditions of the anechoic chamber allow researchers to test satellite antennae for their command, control, and data relay performance.

Fast Facts

  • In an anechoic chamber, speech sounds muffled, like when your ears need to pop in an airplane.
  • The quietest place on Earth is an anechoic chamber built and owned by Microsoft. The measured noise level is -20.3 decibels, 20.3 decibels below the threshold of human hearing. In it, you can hear the sound of your own beating heart, flowing blood, and grinding bones.
  • The almost absolute silence in an anechoic chamber gradually manifests into a ringing in your ears.
  • Over time, the lack of reverberation in a room like this causes people to lose their balance.
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Illustration of anechoic equipment

Laboratory for Advanced and Additive Manufacturing

About

The Laboratory for Advanced and Additive Manufacturing uses state-of-the-art digital fabrication techniques to design and fabricate complex materials with on-demand properties that are not achievable using conventional manufacturing methods. This space enables collaborations among manufacturing experts from the College of Medicine, the James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences, the College of Engineering, and others to be at the forefront of manufacturing advances that embody the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Advanced manufacturing efforts at the University of Arizona focus on defense, space, aerospace and biomedical and communications technology.

Fast Facts

  • The university's industry partners in this area include Raytheon, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, and NASA.
  • The first printer to create three-dimensional objects appeared in 1983, just a year after the first CD was manufactured.
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Illustration of additive manufacturing equipment

Imaging Technology Laboratory

About

Under the direction of research professor and astronomer Michael Lesser, the ITL is a world-leading supplier of advanced scientific imaging sensors for visible, ultraviolet, and x-ray light detection. The most common applications for its imaging technologies are in the fields of astronomy, satellite imagery such as Earth observations, and the manufacturing of electronic devices. What's more, the lab has developed and supports camera systems used on telescopes owned and operated by the University. The lab's industry partners include Lockheed Martin, Ball Aerospace and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, while its federal funding agencies include NASA, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense. The lab at ARB is a clean room, meaning it is designed to filter out airborne particles and pollutants like dust, microbes, and aerosols.

Fast Facts

  • The ITL was located off campus prior to the opening of the Applied Research Building.
  • The lab has delivered more than 4,000 sensors to scientific and industrial imaging communities across the globe.
  • The lab has developed and supports camera systems used on telescopes owned and operated by the University.
  • Although UV waves are invisible to the human eye, some insects, including bumblebees, can see them.

Want to collaborate with the Imaging Technology Lab?

Contact Mike Lesser:
mlesser@arizona.edu
520-621-4236

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decorative element

Mission Operations Center

About

After launch, spacecraft and balloons must be carefully monitored and commanded from thousands if not millions of miles away. A mission operations center performs this work while a science operations center coordinates the distribution and processing of data. The ARB’s Mission Operations Center equips us with with all the computers, networks, and software needed to control missions from right here in Tucson.

Fast Facts

  • University of Arizona faculty Marcia Rieke is the principal investigator for the James Webb Space Telescope’s Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam), and University of Arizona George Rieke is the science team lead for the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI). The Mission Operations Center for the JWST is located at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland.
  • Lockheed Martin provides the mission operations center for the Arizona-led NASA mission to retrieve material from the surface of an asteroid, OSIRIS-REx under the direction of the NASA mission manager at Goddard Space Flight Center.
  • U of A is now one of very few American universities with the capability to provide mission operations support for NASA Class D missions.
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illustrations of six screens assembled to make a large monitor display

The CubeSat Laboratory

About

This laboratory is a dedicated space for the fabrication of nanosatellites, often called “CubeSats,” and small space instruments, which represent the next generation of technology for space exploration and scientific investigation. The lab is designed to maximize reliability of space hardware by providing a clean environment for assembly. A major benefit of miniaturized satellites is cost and schedule efficiency: they are easier to mass produce and have a standard size and shape, commodifying access to space. They are less expensive to build than traditional satellites and, because of their compact size, they often piggyback on rockets carrying other spacecraft.

Fast Facts

  • A typical CubeSat is about the size of a toaster, though the smallest are 4-inch cubes weighing less than 3 pounds.
  • CubeSats have become increasingly popular in space exploration over the last two decades, with NASA launching its first CubeSat, GeneSat, in late 2006 and now hundreds are launched per year.
  • U of A is expected to launch the CatSat CubeSat later this year.
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Illustration of a cube satelite

Space Materials Curation Facility

About

The Space Materials Curation Facility will house materials used to differentiate between artificial and natural objects in the Earth-Moon system. The collections include rocket body paint samples, mylar, metals, kapton, solar cells, and similar items used for building and coating satellites and spacecraft, as well as a small representative set of meteorites. Researchers use telescopes on Earth to capture a space object’s spectral signature—the wavelengths of light that bounce off an object’s surface. They use that data to identify what it is (artificial versus natural) and where it came from. This work is important to space traffic management and national security. With nearly 100 missions planned to the moon over the next decade, there is an increased risk of collisions with space debris. Samples curated at the facility will help ensure that use of orbital space between the Earth and moon remains safe, secure, and sustainable.

Fast Facts

  • The European Space Agency estimates that there are presently more than 170 million pieces of debris, or “space junk,” (over the size of 1 millimeter) orbiting Earth. Any of these objects would have the ability to cause harm to operational spacecraft.
  • Even a one-centimeter object could penetrate the shields on the International Space Station.
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High Bay Facility

About

With 40-foot ceilings similar to those found in warehouses, the ARB's high-bay payload laboratory will offer teams of scientists and engineers a dedicated space to assemble high-altitude stratospheric balloons such as the University of Arizona-led, NASA-funded GUSTO mission. These high-altitude balloons are used for critical everyday operations such as providing accurate weather data by measuring and transmitting information on atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind speed. They can also be used for more sophisticated scientific exploration, as in the case of GUSTO, which will send a balloon to near-space, carrying a telescope that will study the interstellar medium – the gas and dust between the stars, from which all stars and planets originate.

Fast Facts

  • Balloon-borne astronomy fills an important gap between ground-based observatories and space telescopes by allowing telescopes and other instruments to reach altitudes where they experience less interference from Earth's atmosphere.
  • U of A is home to another high bay facility, located at UA Tech Park at The Bridges, which opened in December 2022.
  • Each of the letters of the Hollywood sign overlooking Los Angeles, California is roughly as tall as the high bay facility at the ARB.
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Illustration of an atmospheric balloon

 

The Applied Research Building in the News

Featured Coverage

The University of Arizona ARB Building

Mission Control: University of Arizona Applied Research Building houses space institute, future endeavors

January 30, 2024

The 89,000-square-foot University of Arizona Applied Research Building expands the university's already considerable research capabilities thanks to state-of-the-art equipment and technology, including a 40-ton thermal vacuum chamber used to replicate the conditions in outer space – the largest of its kind at any university in the world. 

The University of Arizona's $85M Applied Research Building opens

Photo by Kelly Presnell
April 7, 2023

The University of Arizona celebrated the grand opening of its Applied Research Building Wednesday. Eight departments among four colleges—including the College of Medicine – Tucson—will have dedicated space there.

40-foot-high bay labs with 30-foot-high doors in the Applied Research Building

As bold and wonderous as space exploration itself

"Radical in design, the building itself is a highly calibrated machine, uniquely suited to house complex and sensitive research demands with optimal performance in its desert environment. "

Attendees admire the Thermal Vacuum Chamber after its unveiling in the Applied Research Building.

Largest Thermal Vacuum Chamber at any University in the World Now Operational at University of Arizona

October 3, 2024

The Applied Research Building offers an unmatched environment for spacecraft and instrument testing.

More News Coverage

What Does It Take to Install a 40-Ton Thermal Vacuum Chamber for Space Simulations?

The $85 million Applied Research Building (ARB) at the University of Arizona in Tucson was recently recognized by the Design-Build Institute of America as the 2024 Project of the Year.

Read the story

University of Arizona Launches World's Largest Thermal Vacuum Chamber within Collegiate Research

Nov 12, 2024

The U of A recently unveiled the Applied Research Building's (ARB) Thermal Vacuum (TV) Chamber, the world's largest of its kind housed within a collegiate research facility. Weighing 40 tons and extending 30 feet, the TV Chamber is designed

Read the story

Transforming research into reality

Sept 30, 2024

Arizona's public universities leverage Regents’ Grant funding to commercialize innovative technologies, boost state's economy

Read the Story

World's largest university thermal vacuum chamber now operational at University of Arizona

Oct 3, 2024

Watch the video on KVOA-TV

Thermal vacuum chamber located at UA

Oct 3, 2024

News 4 Tucson spoke with Erika Hamden.

Watch the Footage

Arizona Public Media

April 6, 2023

Tony Perkins reports for AZPM

Arizona Public Media

April 6, 2023

Paula Rodriguez reports for AZPM

New University of Arizona Applied Research Building Furthers Space Research

April 23, 2023

The University of Arizona marked the completion of construction and opening of the $85 million Applied Research Building (ARB), a one-of-a-kind advanced research facility that further solidifies and advances the university’s reputation in space research.

ARB Video Footage

 

Video footage by McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

Arizona Daily Star

April 5, 2023

Spectacular photos from the Arizona Daily Star

Robert Zimmerman: Behind the Black

April 6, 2023

"the most fascinating moment during this grand opening tour of the ARB came when I went up to the cubesat laboratory. There, a student [...] described his own cubesat project, aimed at tracking the transits of a known exoplanet in order to demonstrate the capability of cubesats to do such work."

Gallery: U of A opens Applied Research Building

April 5, 2023

The University of Arizona celebrated the grand opening of its Applied Research Building Wednesday. The event included tours of the new facility, a celebratory event and remarks from University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins, Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation Elizabeth "Betsy" Cantwell, University of Arizona Space Institute Director Tim Swindle, and Associate Vice President for Planning, Design and Construction and University Architect Peter Dourlein.

Inside the Applied Research Building

A two part series about the Applied Research Building

Learn about a laboratory for assembling high-altitude balloons, a chamber that simulates conditions in space, an echo-free room for testing antennae performance, ARB's Imaging Technology Laboratory, Mission Operations Center, and Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory.

Student-built satellite uses 'beach ball' for an antenna

March 6, 2023

CatSat is a small satellite carrying a new communications concept – an inflatable antenna – into space. The project provides a rare opportunity for students at the University of Arizona to get hands-on experience with spaceflight technology.

University of Arizona's $85M building to advance science, engineering research

July 5, 2021

The University of Arizona broke ground on an $85 million Applied Research Building set to bring together several programs under one roof.

Construction Begins on U of A's New Applied Research Building

June 29, 2021

Construction of the University of Arizona's new $85 million, three-story Applied Research Building began today as crews broke ground on the 89,000-square-foot facility. The new building at the southeast corner of East Helen Street and North Highland Avenue will connect researchers across four colleges and eight departments.

UA's Space Program Brings in Big Bucks

February 9, 2023

An economic impact that rivals the Super Bowl.

How University of Arizona students are preparing for careers guiding space missions

January 20, 2021

University of Arizona students are getting their own unmanned satellite ready for launch.

University of Arizona opens new research facility dedicated to space science

April 9, 2023

"Standing at three stories tall, the facility is expected to continue UA’s research in space science and related fields."

KOLD-TV Segment

April 5, 2023

KOLD-TV Segment ARB Opens

KVOA-TV Segment

April 5, 2023

KVOA-TV Segment ARB Opens

The John Bachelor Show

 

A conversation about the ambitious scope of the Applied Research Building.

 

Media Contact

Grand Challenges Research Building

A powerhouse for research just got even stronger.

Designed to Empower and Improve Everyday Lives

The Grand Challenges Research Building is designed to address society’s most pressing challenges in areas including engineering, medicine, planetary science, and optics. This state-of-the-art space supports the expansion of the Optical Sciences and the U of A-led Center for Quantum Networks.

Greyscale rendering of GCRB

A brighter future starts here.

The Grand Challenges Research Building is designed to address society’s most pressing challenges in areas including engineering, medicine, planetary science, and optics. This state-of-the-art space also supports the expansion of the Optical Sciences and the University of Arizona led Center for Quantum Networks. 

Step into the Grand Challenges Research Building.

  • The seven-story, 115,000-square-foot interdisciplinary space is designed to promote a culture of collaboration and innovation, featuring public spaces, study areas, meeting rooms, and laboratories and offices to support faculty and student engagement in cutting-edge research.
     
  • This facility will leverage and amplify the University of Arizona’s greatest core research strengths in the areas of engineering, optical science, lunar & planetary science, medicine, and much more.
     
  • In this building, world experts from a range of growing and cutting-edge fields will come together with students to make discoveries and to teach the next generation of scientists, doctors, entrepreneurs and engineers.

Fun Fact

According to a 2024 Rounds Consulting Group report, quantum initiatives at the University of Arizona will create new high-paying jobs and generate more than $220M in economic activity over the coming decade.

Quantum Collaged Illustration

Arizona Quantum Initiative (AQuI)

The Arizona Quantum Initiative (AQuI) is positioning Arizona as a global leader in quantum information science and engineering. The AQuI community includes leading University of Arizona faculty from Optical Sciences, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Data Science, and Law, along with their respective research groups. 

Research and Applications

  • Center for Quantum Networks (CQN): With academic partners, including MIT, Harvard, UMD, UMass, and over twenty industrial partners, CQN is revolutionizing how data is communicated across the globe.
     
  • Tucson Quantum Network System Testbed: A campus-wide quantum network testbed with multi-user, high-rate entanglement, distribution to test silicon photonic chips, mature new technologies, demonstrate novel protocols, and serve as a state-of-the-art facility for education. 
     
  • New Master of Science Degree: Educating the quantum workforce of tomorrow in Quantum Information Science and Engineering (QISE), an entirely new discipline with a curriculum developed by CQN.

Fun Fact

Quantum networking relies on the principles of entanglement where two particles can become linked, so that the state of one instantly influences the state of the other, no matter how far apart. Often described as “spooky action at a distance,” this phenomenon enables ultra-secure communication methods where eavesdropping would be detectable!

CB2 collaged illustration

Biomedical Informatics & Biostatistics (CB2)

The Center for Biomedical Informatics & Biostatistics (CB2) at University of Arizona Health Sciences drives innovation in biomedical research and healthcare by bringing together informatics, AI, data science, and biostatistics.CB2 empowers U of A researchers to advance medical science and improve health outcomes by providing access to health and biomedical data, specimen management, research data management, customized research applications, study design, advanced analytics, and computation.

Research and Applications

  • Wearable Technology: Combining wearable sensors and real-time analytics for applications ranging from athletic training to pregnancy monitoring.
     
  • Honest Broker: Facilitating access to health data from many sources including Banner Health, Medicaid, health insurance claims, and population health data.
     
  • Common Data Elements: Defining national standards for clinical trial data collection to improve rigor, reliability, and reproducibility.

Fun fact

It is nearly impossible to determine the function of a particular gene variant if everyone in a population shares the same variant. The unique genetic diversity in our local population makes Arizona a valuable place for studying the effects of genes on health and disease.

New Frontiers of Science Collaged Illustration

New Frontiers of Sound (NewFoS)

Established in 2023 with a $30 million grant from the National Science Foundation, the New Frontiers of Sound (NewFoS) Center is poised to revolutionize technology, transform everyday life and create a more sustainable tomorrow. Partnering with eight top-tier institutions, including Caltech, UCLA, and Georgia Tech, the center conducts cutting-edge research in topological acoustics—a new field which exploits the complete range of acoustic wave properties.

Research and Applications

  • Advanced Data Processing: Using the similarities between how sound waves behave and how particles act in quantum mechanics to process large amounts of data more quickly and accurately for the toughest computational challenges
     
  • Telecommunications: Reducing power consumption and cost, improving battery life, and increasing speed and functionality for electronic devices with technologies for 6G and beyond 
     
  • Environmental and Structural Sensing: Using acoustic waves to detect wear and flaws in structures as well as seismic waves for tracking environmental changes, such as soil dryness or permafrost thaw

Fun Fact

Sesimic waves—sound waves propagating in the ground—can travel at speeds up to 13,000 miles per hour through Earth’s crust! These waves, generated by earthquakes, help NewFoS scientists remotely and continuously monitor changes in the ground to help predict and prevent damage from the changes of the Earth’s surface due to climate change.

Optical Sciences Collaged Illustration

Optical Sciences

The University of Arizona Wyant College of Optical Sciences is one of the premier educational and research institutions for optics and photonics. Faculty and students lead advances in the field, including fundamental optical physics, astronomical and space optics, quantum sensing and networking, biomedical imaging, optical fiber communications, semiconductor manufacturing, and optics for national security and consumer display markets.

Research and Applications

  • Sensing gravity and acceleration: Inertial sensors crafted using micro-electronics fabrication technologies harness the interaction of lasers with tiny vibrating mechanical systems to provide unprecedented sensitivities for use in precision manufacturing, astronomy, and other cutting-edge fields.
     
  • Powerful cameras for cancer detection: The mobile intraoral camera boosts oral cancer detection accuracy from 40-60% to 87-93%. Once detected, the most dangerous areas are biopsied for more precise diagnosis and treatment.
     
  • Developing sensor systems for defense: Drone sensors cover large areas to identify targets. Once detected, targets are interrogated by a second wave of drones with acoustic, magnetic, and hyperspectral sensors to more accurately zero in on targets.

Fun Fact

Over 2.2 million pounds of concrete, including six 5-foot diameter pillars extending 60 feet down, were used to construct the parking pad on the east end of the GCRB. This was necessary to support the cranes that lift giant telescope mirrors out of the large optics shop hatch in the neighboring Meinel building.

Space Collaged Illustration

Space4

More than 28,000 human-made objects including satellites, spent rocket bodies and mission-related debris currently orbit Earth. And with up to 100,000 new satellites projected to launch in the next decade, the growing congestion poses serious hazards for astronauts and spacecraft amid a new era of lunar missions. The Space 4 Center creates and implements research and education solutions that ensure space remains safe, secure and sustainable for decades to come. 

Research and Applications

  • Cislunar Space Monitoring: The space between Earth and the moon, called cislunar space, extends about 2.66 million miles from Earth—far past the distance within which the U.S. government currently tracks objects in space. Space4 researchers detect, track and identify human-made objects in space, from low-Earth to cislunar orbit, to support space surveillance, traffic management, and national security. 
     
  • Workforce Development: Focusing on training undergraduate and graduate students for careers in industry, government and academia

Fun Fact

The "Cone of Shame" isn't just a pet’s post-surgery collar—it's also an astronomical blind spot. The bright glare of the full moon makes spotting space objects difficult, like finding a firefly near a floodlight. Despite this, the Space4 Center recently tracked a school bus-sized Chinese spacecraft deep within the Cone of Shame!

GCRB Research in the News

Acoustics

How topological acoustics can help us better understand a warming climate

U of A researchers are using topological acoustics, the study of sound wave behaviors in complex structures, to gain insights into climate change, helping to better understand and predict the impacts of a warming climate.

French scientific agency selects Pierre Deymier for prestigious fellow-ambassador role

New Frontiers of Sound (NFoS) Director Pierre Deymier has been selected as a fellow by the French Scientific Agency, recognizing his contributions to science and appointing him as an ambassador to strengthen international research collaborations.

Engineering

Civil engineering researcher looks to remedy inequities in traffic safety

A U of A civil engineering researcher is working to address inequities in traffic safety by developing solutions that aim to improve road conditions and reduce accidents in underserved communities.

$35.5M awarded to UArizona College of Engineering for tech center expansion

The U of A’s College of Engineering has been awarded $35.5 million from the Arizona Commerce Authority to expand its tech center, a move that will enhance the university's capacity for cutting-edge research and innovation in engineering.

Medicine

U of A College of Medicine – Tucson advances in US News Best Medical Schools rankings

The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson has once again been recognized as one of the best medical schools in the nation by the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools for Medicine rankings. The college was recognized for its graduates strength, who are filling a national need for physicians in rural and health professional shortage areas.

Colleges of Medicine lead initiatives focused on anti-racism in medicine

U of A’s Colleges of Medicine are leading new initiatives focused on anti-racism in medicine, aiming to address systemic inequities in healthcare and promote more inclusive medical practices.

Optical Sciences

Freeze-frame: U of A researchers develop microscope that can see electrons in motion

U of A researchers have developed a groundbreaking microscope capable of capturing electrons in motion, providing unprecedented insights into the behavior of matter at the atomic level.

Good vibrations: New tech may lead to smaller, more powerful wireless devices

U of A scientists have developed a new technology that harnesses vibrations to create smaller and more powerful wireless devices, potentially revolutionizing the design and efficiency of future electronics.

A new method for creating 3D images

U of A researchers have pioneered a new method for creating 3D images, offering a more efficient and detailed approach to visualizing complex structures, which could significantly impact fields like medicine and engineering.

Quantum

CQN Faculty Tapped to Lead New Journal

Members of the Center for Quantum Networks (CQN) including U of A Associate Professor of Optical Sciences Matthew Eichenfield have been selected to lead a new journal dedicated to advancing the field.

University of Arizona quantum technologies to generate $220m for the region

According to a report from Rounds Consulting Group, U of A’s advancements in quantum technologies, led by the Center for Quantum Networks, are projected to generate an estimated $220 million for Southern Arizona over the next decade.

Space

UArizona’s Space4 Center Part of International AI Space Sustainability Project

The U of A’s Space4 Center is part of a $1.9 million international collaboration exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can be harnessed to improve space operations, safety and sustainability. The project will accelerate the development of AI technologies from concept to adoption in the space sector.

University of Arizona project improving space safety through AI

Roberto Furfaro, U of A systems and industrial engineering professor and Space4 Center deputy director, is part of an international partnership using artificial intelligence to help predict and avoid collisions with space debris.

Taking Law to the Final Frontier

A new U of A course launches students into an emerging legal frontier: space law. Co-taught by faculty in the James E. Rogers College of Law and the College of Science, the course introduces students to issues raised by human activity in outer space, including asteroid mining, space tourism, traffic management, communications satellites and national security.

"The Grand Challenges Research Building is a testament to fostering a culture of collaboration that results in real-world impacts. The GCRB allows us to further expand our research capabilities and to attract partners in industries such as biomedicine, engineering, and optical science. We are excited about the scientific and technological breakthroughs that will take place here."

—Elliott Cheu

In the News

September 28, 2021

Construction Underway on University's Grand Challenges Research Building

 

Research and centers that will be located in the GCRB:

UArizona faculty, staff, and students across all disciplines work to unlock new research solutions and accelerate breakthrough discoveries using the power of information technologies enabled by The Institute for Computation and Data-Enabled Insight (ICDI) and other data-related units that will be housed at GCRB.

At UA major research is ongoing related to the development of advanced optical microscopes, endoscopes, and micro-endoscopes. Several faculty members are involved in multi-modality imaging (optical, MRI, ultrasound, photoacoustic, nuclear) which is a technique that enables scientists to study the microenvironment of a tumor.

Optical sciences research includes the use of lasers, lenses, spectrometers and other light-manipulating systems to design equipment for manufacturing, medicine, communications and space exploration. GCRB will greatly expand UA’s capacity in optical sciences, below are two areas that highlight UA’s research potential.  The College of Optical Sciences has over 50 active research programs and generates approximately $20 million in new research awards per year.

In August 2020 the NSF selected UA to lead and establish the Center for Quantum Networks.  The quantum approach to computing is new to the physics of transferring information, it merges quantum mechanics and information theory.  Quantum computing is expected to transform medicine, break encryption and revolutionize communications and artificial intelligence.  In addition to developing the quantum internet, the Center is charged with creating the curriculum for the new discipline, “quantum information science and engineering.”

Researchers at UA are world-leaders in designing and fabricating highly specialized optics. Students work alongside faculty on projects of global significance, such as the Giant Magellan Telescope, the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, and OSIRIS-REx.

Established in 2023 with a $30 million grant from the National Science Foundation, NFoS is poised to revolutionize technology, transforming everyday life. Partnering with top-tier institutions like Caltech, UCLA, and the University of Colorado Boulder, the center conducts cutting-edge research in topological acoustics—a rapidly growing field focused on innovatively manipulating sound waves.

The first floor of GCRB will include large multi-functional space intended to support student engagement and will be capable of supporting some instructional activity. The GCRB will house the state-of-the-art equipment and technologies required to successfully carryout the research detailed above.

Technologies:

Many large air-tables are required to provide the space and stability needed to conduct most optical experiments.

Laser systems drive most optical experiments and have specific power, cooling, shielding and other related requirements.

The facility will have at least one quantum networking testbed and specialized equipment for quantum network element prototyping.

There will be smart spaces hardware prototyping and human testing laboratories Remote sensing prototyping laboratories, and biomedical optics hardware prototyping laboratories.

Analytical & Biological Mass Spectrometry

At the Analytical & Biological Mass Spectrometry Facility (ABMS), we have state-of-the-art equipment and unparalleled expertise for the analysis of a variety of biological and small molecules. One of our specializations includes protein-analysis encompassing: protein identification, protein and peptide sequence confirmation, intact protein molecular weight determination, complex protein sample analysis, and protein/antibody-drug interactions.

Biosphere 2

A living laboratory for controlled scientific studies of Earth systems, an arena for scientific discovery and discussion, and a provider of public education. 

RII Core Facilities Pilot Program

RII CORE FACILITIES PILOT PROGRAM

Award Cycle: Quarterly
Limit on Proposals per PI: An individual may participate as PI on one RII Core Facilities Pilot Program (CFPP) proposal per cycle. 
Limit on Awards per PI: An individual may not have more than two active RII CFPP awards at a given time. PIs with recruitment or retention awards for use of RII Core Facilities are ineligible for CFPP funding to use RII Cores until other funds are depleted.
Proposal Due Dates: First Wednesday of the business day
     Next Deadline is May 7, 2025
Applications: Accepted through Arizona Cultivate
Earliest Start Date: Three weeks after quarterly due date
Award Period: One year from award date; extensions will not be granted. 

     *NOTE: Funds are only available for one year from date of award. If an award has not been expended within 12 months, the remaining balance will expire and the recipient will need to reapply for a new award.

Description: The RII CFPP is designed to support three key types of activity within the RII-managed core facilities. Each CFPP proposal will be evaluated on scientific merit and feasibility, and should focus on one or more of the following activity types:

  1. The development of new methods or techniques that would extend the standard operating procedures and capabilities of RII-managed core facilities and potentially impact multiple UA researchers. Successful projects will result in new methods or techniques which will be disseminated to the UA research community via the core’s website, and be incorporated into the core’s standard operating procedures and capabilities.
  2. The acquisition of preliminary data needed for extramural proposals. Successful projects will result in at least one new extramural research proposal. PIs must note the specific extramural funding opportunity announcement for which they plan to submit and their anticipated submission date along with their CFPP application.  A full justification of the anticipated studies is required.
  3. The technical training of students conducting research under existing extramural funding. Successful projects will result in student researchers with the technical skills to operate equipment safely, efficiently and independently within the core facility(ies). PIs should note the student(s) to be trained, the core(s) in which they will be trained, the equipment on which they are to be trained, and the funding source under which the student’s research project is funded. Proposals to train students from traditionally marginalized groups will be given funding priority.

PIs should request funding commensurate with the resources necessary to complete the aims of their proposal and the rates for those resources within the relevant core facility(ies). Most awards will be capped at approximately $10,000, although well-justified projects may be awarded funding above this level. NOTE: It is REQUIRED that CFPP proposals and their budgets be developed with the assistance of the relevant core facility manager(s). Funding provided under the CFPP may only be spent within RII-managed core facilities (see list of eligible facilities below). CFPP funds may not be used to procure specialty materials or chemicals -- these funds are for utilization of instruments and staff time within the eligible facilities.

Please provide proper attribution to the relevant core(s) and the CFPP program if funding results in publications, presentations, successful grant applications, technologies, or other products.

List of eligible facilities:

  1. Analytical and Biological Mass Spectrometry 
  2. Flow Cytometry and Human Immune Monitoring Shared Resource (BD LSR II Cell Analyzer, BD FACSARIA III Cell Sorter, BD FASCCanto II Cell Analyzer, BD LSR Fortessa Cell Analyzer, ThermoFisher Attune Cell Analyzer, Amnis ImageStreamX Mk II Imaging Flow Cytometer)  
  3. Functional Genomics Core 
  4. Imaging Cores - Electron  
  5. Imaging Cores - Optical 
  6. Machining and Welding Center 
  7. Micro/Nano Fabrication Center 
  8. Translational Bioimaging Resource 
  9. AZ Genetics Core 
  10. AZ Molecular Clinical Core
  11. BIO5 Genetically Engineered Mouse Models (GEMM) Core
  12. Arizona Genomics Institute 

Proposal preparation, submission, and processing information is available in the RII Proposal Preparation Guide (PPG) - v10, which is downloadable in the Arizona Cultivate competition. The PPG includes requirements for the project narrative and supplemental documents; it is strongly encouraged that interested applicants read the PPG in full as proposals that do not match the PPG will be returned without review.

Solicitation Specific Information:

  • PI Eligibility: Postdoctoral scholars are able to apply as PI on type 1 (new methods or techniques) and 3 (student training) proposals. 
  • Budget: Only use of one of the Core Facilities listed above should be included in the proposal budget. Student support, additional supplies, etc., are not eligible expenses for this grant. It is REQUIRED that CFPP proposals and their budgets be developed with the assistance of the relevant core facility manager(s).
  • Review: Review of the Core Facilities Pilot Program grants will be conducted in an expedited manner and may consist of review by one or more members of the RII-managed core facility’s advisory committee members. Unlike other Research Advancement Grants, limited or no feedback will be provided to applicants of the Core Facilities Pilot Program.

 

Questions? Email resdev@arizona.edu

Last updated: October 21, 2024

AWARDEES

May 2024

  • Kazui Toshinobu, COM-T, Surgery, Genetic basis of Atrial fibrillation
  • Chiang Jing-Tzyh Alan, Medicine, Medical Imaging, Evaluation of quantitative and contrast-free MR pulse sequences for imaging breast cancers and nodal metastases
  • Hammer Michael, Bio5, Neurology, Sex Differences of Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction in Epilepsy
  • Rhodes Katherine, Medicine, Immunobiology, Neisseria community structure and host epithelial interaction
  • Anand Tanya, Medicine, Surgery, Metabolomic Markers in Endotheliopathy of Trauma in older versus younger trauma patients
  • Combrink Leigh, CALES, SNRE, Avian Microbiomes as Biomarkers for Wildlife and Ecosystem Health
  • Lai Tzu yin, College of Science, Psychology, Neural basis of metaphor and embodiment
  • Koshy Anita, Medicine, Neurology, Engineering a clonal Dre Reporter cell line
  • Warfel Noel, COM, CMM, Synthetic lethal screening to target chronic hypoxia
  • Sutphin George, Science, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Automated preparation of custom single-worm culture environments
  • Horton Nancy, Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology, (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2710-8284),
  • Funk Janet, Medicine, Medicine, Targeting estrogen receptor signaling to halt ER+ breast cancer progression in bone

February 2024

  • Daryaei Iman, Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Detection of HER2 Biomarker by Pretargeted ImmunoPET
  • Miller Julie E, Science, Neuroscience, Healthy and pathological signatures of alpha-synuclein in the zebra finch brain
  • Sawyer Travis, Optical Sciences, Optical Sciences, Multiphoton imaging combined with deep learning for classification and grading of pancreatic cancer
  • Cartmell Christopher, Medicine, Pharmacology, Development of a 1536 High-throughput Screening of a Natural Product Library to Identify Novel Ligands for Orphan GPR63 and 153
  • Goyal Ravi, College of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Changes in Hippocampus Vasculome with Aging
  • Dickinson Sally, Medicine, Pharmacology, Gene editing of mouse Pd-l1 to “rescue” a knockout model for skin cancer research
  • Morrison Helena, Nursing, Advanced Nursing Practice and Science Division, Development of photoacoustic and MRI methods to detect foam cell accumulation in the brain after ischemic stroke
  • Cusanovich Darren, Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Generation of a conditional Glo2 knockout mouse
  • Ismail Khaled, Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Developing a new method to analyze microglial phagocytic activity in the context of Alzheimer's disease
  • Zhou Chi, CALES, SACBS, Role of miR146a-5p in preeclampsia-impaired fetal endothelial function in obese pregnancies
  • Badyaev Alexander, Science, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Population genomic inference on demographic histories, population subdivision and migration
  • Duckworth Renee, CoS, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Identifying the epigenetic pathways linking a stress-induced maternal effect and offspring behavior
  • Ledford Julie, Medicine, Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Generation of an Scgb1a1 knockout mouse
  • Sweedo Alice, Medicine, Physiology, Role of host intestinal cell estrogen-dependent expression response to microbial metabolites in menopausal risk for cardiovascular disease
  • Meredith Laura, College of Agricultural Environmental and Life Sciences, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, Using gene expression to track “soil memory” and adaptation effects of microbial community shifts in the consumption of volatile organic compounds in soil

November 2023

  • Kielar Aneta, Science, SLHS, Interaction between the BDNF genotype and treatment response to noninvasive brain stimulation in the language variant of Alzheimer's disease.
  • Blackwood Erik, College of Medicine - Phoenix, Internal Medicine, Novel Roles for IRE1 in Regulating Cardiac Fibrosis
  • Sun Jindi, College of Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, The Fabrication of Hydrogel Mold with Sub-Micro Precision
  • Zhou Chi, CALES, SACBS, Role of circulating immune cells in heat stress-induced fetal growth restriction
  • Cartmell Christopher, Medicine, Pharmacology, Development of a Microfluidic, High-Throughput Screening Platform for Drug Discovery
  • Smith Catharine, College of Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Understanding the Complex Transcriptional Roles of Lysine Deacetylases Through Next Generation Sequencing Methods
  • Woodson Jesse, CALES, School of Plant Sciences, Quantification of the level of reactive oxygen species needed to induce chloroplast retrograde signaling
  • Bhattacharya Martha, Science, Neuroscience, Detecting Mitochondrial Transfer Between Neurons and Glia In Vivo
  • Pond Kelvin, College of Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Isolation of Bioengineered Human Organoids for Signaling Dynamics
  • Moore Wendy, The College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, Department of Entomology, Visualizing Bacteria in the Ant-nest Beetle Paussus favieri
  • Yao Guang, Science, Mol/Cell Biology, High-Throughput Screening to Uncover Triggers of a Novel Quiescence-to-Senescence Dimmer Transition for Future Therapeutic Intervention in Cellular Aging
  • Melandri Giovanni, CALES, School of Plant Sciences, Identification of gene targets for improving rice antioxidant capacity under drought through DNA sequencing of accessions with contrasting phenotypes
  • Arnold Anne (Betsy), Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, School of Plant Sciences, Metabolomics to detect signatures of life at Llullaillaco, a Mars analog environment
  • Singh Simar, Medicine, Department of Medicine, Macrophage Assessment for Immunoregulatory Therapeutics
  • Legan Andrew, College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, Entomology, Whole genome and transcriptome sequencing of tarantula hawk wasps
  • Johnson Michael, Medicine, Immunobiology, Cell Free ChIP-SEQ

August 2023

  • Anand, Tanya, Medicine, Surgery, Glycocalyx Shedding in Injured Older Adults versus Younger Adults
  • Gutruf, Philipp, Engineering, BME, Conformal pinhole free coatings for advanced water barrier properties in biomedical devices
  • Charest, Pascale, Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Identifying the protein expression and signaling profiles associated with the distinct KRAS mutant states in lung cancer cells
  • Schwartz, Jacob, College of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Single-cell Transcriptome Analysis of Pre-Frontal Cortex during Abstinence and Relapse to Fentanyl Addiction
  • Galligan, James, Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Generation of an inducible Glod5 knockout mouse
  • Bartlett, Mitchell, College of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Novel, non-invasive imaging of glymphatic and lymphatic flow in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease
  • Blackwood, Erik, College of Medicine - Phoenix, Internal Medicine, Roles for SGK1 in Cardiometabolic Health Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction and Associated Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
  • Witte, Marlys, College of Medicine, Department of Surgery, In-vivo bioluminescent imaging of metastatic melanoma progression in mice with lymphatic dysfunction
  • Li, Hongmin, R Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Characterization of inhibitors against the nsP2 protease (nsP2pro) of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV)

May 2023

  • Alicja Babst-Kostecka, Agriculture and Life Sciences, Environmental Science, Linking soil and leaf metabolite profiles with plant metal tolerance and accumulation – exploring plant-microbial adaptations to heavy metal contamination at legacy mine sites in Arizona 
  • Brett Colson, College of Medicine-Tucson, Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Binding kinetics of cardiac and skeletal muscle proteins   

February 2023

  • Shirin Doroudgar, College of Medicine-Phoenix, Internal Medicine, Generation of a Conditional Knockout Mouse Model for ER-Associated Protein Degradation
  • Elise Erickson, Nursing, Biobehavioral Health Sciences, Toward precision care during childbirth: genetic vulnerability to postpartum hemorrhage
  • Robert Erickson, College of Medicine-Tucson, Surgery, Experimental investigation of focused ultra-sound (FUS) treatment on alpha-synuclein immobilization in preclinical animal model
  • Giovanni Melandri, Agriculture & Life Sciences, School of Plant Sciences, Disentangling heat and drought stress tolerance in sorghum and cotton through metabolomics

November 2022

  • David Baltrus, Agriculture and Life Sciences, School of Plant Sciences, Exploring Sulphur Use in an Endohyphal Bacteria using RB-TNSeq
  • Geoffrey Gurtner, College of Medicine-Tucson,f Surgery, Identifying chromatin states and nuclear transcriptome deviations in physiologic and pathologic aged skin underlying wound healing
  • Priyanka Kushwaha, Agriculture and Life Sciences, Environmental Science, Characterizing metabolites that influence rubber and resin production in guayule
  • Wendy McCurdy, College of Medicine-Tucson, Medical Imaging, Changes in Goutallier Score and Cross-sectional area of the rotator cuff following surgical repair
  • Michael Riehle, Agriculture and Life Sciences, Entomology, Assessing neurohormone expression in the brain and ovary of the human malaria mosquito, Anopheles stephensi
  • Koenraad Van Doorslaer, Agriculture and Life Sciences, Animal & Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Spatial Transcriptomics of HPV16 infected 3D tissues

August 2022

  • Adam Buntzman, BIO5 Institute, Novel Spatial Immunome and Spliceome Method: Valley Fever Granuloma
  • Pascale Charest, Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Quantitative Proteomics to Identify the cAMP Receptor’s Interactome
  • Jing-Tzyh Chiang, College of Medicine-Tucson, Medical Imaging, Evaluation of quantitative and contrast-free MR pulse sequences for imaging breast cancers and nodal metastases
  • Ying-hui Chou, Science, Psychology, Feasibility Study for the Mild Cognitive Impairment with Accelerated Theta Burst Stimulation
  • Jared Churko, College of Medicine-Tucson, Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Full-length isoform single-cell RNA-sequencing (Fliss-Seq)
  • Joao De Souza, College of Medicine-Tucson, Anesthesiology, Cell-attached gold nanoparticles to rescue photosensitivity in retinas
  • Jay Goldberg, Science, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Establishing a pangenome reference for the widespread crop pest, Manduca sexta
  • Attila Keresztes, College of Medicine-Tucson, Surgery, Investigation of glymphatic/lymphatic flow in Alzheimers mouse models using novel, non-invasive imaging modalities
  • Hongmin Li, Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Characterization of inhibitors against NSP16/10 methyltransferase of SARS-CoV-2
  • Brooke Massani, Science, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Water Jet Cutter Training for Machinists
  • Paulo Pires, College of Medicine-Tucson, Physiology, Assessment of cerebral vascular structure and blood-brain-barrier stability in a mouse model of cerebral amyloid angiopathy after gene therapy
  • Adam Printz, Engineering, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Fabrication and Characterization of Printable Photovoltaic Devices and Materials for Developing Stable and High-Efficiency Devices
  • George Sutphin, Science, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Identification of multi-stress resistant Caenorhabditis elegans mutants
  • Frans Tax, Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Analysis of filament formation in plant nutrient acquisition
  • Craig Weinkauf, College of Medicine-Tucson, Surgery, Evaluation of a stent-robust Arterial Spin Labelling pulse sequence

April 2022

  • Martha Bhattacharya, Science, Neuroscience, Optimizing Live Imaging of Acidic Organelles in Acute Mouse Brain Slices
  • Jared Churko, College of Medicine-Tucson, Cellular & Molecular Medicine, GATA4 Protein-Protein Binding Interactions Implicated in Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease
  • Zhiyu Dai, College of Medicine-Phoenix, Internal Medicine, Role of Endothelial SOX17 Deficiency in the Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Hypertension
  • Philipp Gutruf, Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Conformal pinhole free coatings for advanced water barrier properties in biomedical devices
  • Michael Johnson, College of Medicine-Tucson, Immunobiology, An -omics approach to determine different mechanisms bacteria use to sense their environment through metal
  • Lalitha Madhavan, College of Medicine-Tucson, Neurology, Establishing immuno EM protocols to assess cultured human patient-derived cells
  • Laurent Martin, College of Medicine-Tucson, Anesthesiology, Developing an innovative approach: 3D-modeling of microglial cells to analyze neuroinflammation
  • Travis Sawyer, James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences, Optical Sciences, Combined multiphoton imaging and labeled fluorescence for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor localization
  • Malak Tfaily, Agriculture & Life Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Unraveling the responses of soil bacterial and fungal communities to changes in resource availability in a desert ecosystem
  • Jean Wilson, College of Medicine-Tucson, Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Live cell imaging of mitochondrial fission

January 2022

  • Zhiyu Dai, College of Medicine-Phoenix, Internal Medicine, Fatty Acid-binding Proteins Control Endothelial Glycolysis and Arterial Programming in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
  • Linran Fan, James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences, Optical Sciences, Procedure development and material characterization of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition
  • James Galligan, Pharmacy, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Generation of an inducible Glo1 knockout mouse
  • Richard Simpson, Agriculture & Life Sciences, Nutritional Sciences & Wellness, Utilizing Systemic Knockout of the Beta-2 Adrenergic Receptor to Elucidate Mechanisms of Tumor Control
  • Thomas Tomasiak, Science, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Understanding trafficking of chaperone-regulated Solute Carrier Family (SLC) transporters and their variants by fluorescence microscopy
  • Yana Zavros, College of Medicine-Tucson, Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Development and Standardization of a Novel Pituitary Adenoma Organoid Model for the Study and Treatment of Cushing's Disease

October 2021

  • Ying-hui Chou, Science, Psychology, Development of MRI-compatible TMS Protocols for Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment
  • Shiri Doroudgar, College of Medicine-Phoenix, Internal Medicine, Generation of a Double Transgenic Mouse Model for Cell-type—specific Inducible Endogenous Gene Activation and Repression
  • Philipp Gutruf, Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Conformal pinhole free coatings for advanced water barrier properties in biomedical devices
  • Keith Maggert, College of Medicine-Tucson, Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Creation of Specialized Mouse Chromosome – MB-kSH
  • Wendy McCurdy, College of Medicine-Tucson, Medical Imaging, Effect of rotator cuff repair on Goutallier Score and cross sectional area of the rotator cuff musculature post-operatively over a one year period.
  • Rebecca Mosher, Agriculture & Life Sciences, School of Plant Sciences, Detection of 24-nt small RNAs with Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization
  • John Ryniawec, College of Medicine-Tucson, Cellular & Molecular Medicine, HypoxiSwitch: A novel reporter mouse model to understand the effects of hypoxia

July 2021

  • Andreia Chignalia, College of Medicine-Tucson, Anesthesiology, Role of the glycocalyx in mechanosome assembly in lung endothelial cells
  • Joao De Souza, College of Medicine-Tucson, Anesthesiology, Voltage-gated K+ channels coupling mechanisms: a study focused on heteromeric channels
  • Kaveh Laksari, Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Neuroimaging and artificial intelligence analysis of dual-tasking for early-stage Alzheimer's disease detection
  • George Sutphin, Science, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Impact of kynurenine pathway interventions on age-associated transcriptional response to pathogens
  • Malak Tfaily, Agrilcuture & Life Sciences, Environmental Science, Metabolomics: A Way Forward for Exploring Environmental Adaptation of Microbial Metabolic Pathways in Arid Ecosystems
  • Chi Zhou, Agriculture & Life Sciences, School of Animal & Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Mice Uterine-Placental Blood Flow in Normal and Obese pregnancies

April 2021

  • Samuel Campos, College of Medicine-Tucson, Immunobiology, Basic studies on HPV entry and subcellular trafficking using inhibitory peptides
  • Jared Churko, College of Medicine-Tucson, Cellular & Molecular Medicine, In vivo Pkp2 protein interactomes causing arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy
  • Mert Colpan, College of Medicine-Tucson, Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Deciphering the role of CAP2 in dilated cardiomyopathy
  • Frank Gonzalez, Social & Behavioral Sciences, School of Government & Public Policy, Neural Bases of Contemporary Race and Class Hierarchy
  • Qing Hao, Engineering, Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering, Exploring Effective Topside Cooling of Power Electronics
  • Samantha Harris, College of Medicine-Tucson, Cellular & Molecular Medicine, A novel CRISPR SpyC2 mouse model for use of the cut and paste method in fast skeletal muscles
  • Michael Johnson, College of Medicine-Tucson, Immunobiology, A metabolomics approach to elucidate different mechanisms bacteria use to sense their environment through metal
  • Rajesh Khanna, College of Medicine-Tucson, Pharmacology, A NaV1.7 mouse lacking the CRMP2-binding domain: examining specificity of NaV1.7-CRMP2 coupling and testing if pain resolution requires endogenous opioid signaling
  • Aneta Kielar, Science, Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences, Enhancing Treatment of Language in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS).
  • Paul Langlais, College of Medicine, Medicine (Endocrinology), Elucidating the Effect of Insulin on Cytoskeletal Elements at the Plasma Membrane Using Structured Illumination Super Resolution Microscopy
  • Hongmin Li, Pharmacy, Pharmacology & Toxicology, To identify nanobodies and small molecules as therapeutics against flaviviruses and SARS-CoV-2
  • Helena Morrison, Nursing, Biobehavioral Health Sciences Division, The effect of VEGF-B to decrease post-stroke brain injury: an MRI study
  • Ritu Pandey, College of Medicine-Tucson, Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Multiplex MS analysis for proteome quantification of colorectal tumors with codon specific mutations in KRAS gene
  • Michael Plank, Science, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Development of a targeted mass spectrometry method for the calculation of protein phosphorylation stoichiometry
  • Art Riegel, College of Medicine-Tucson, Pharmacology, The role of brain microglia in drug addiction
  • Patrick Ronaldson, College of Medicine-Tucson, Pharmacology, Development of a High Throughput Screening Assay to Identify Alzheimer's Disease Therapeutics
  • Travis Sawyer, Optical Sciences, Optical Sciences, Multiphoton imaging of gastrinoma and correlation with molecular and genetic markers
  • Frans Tax, Science, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Role of Protein Filaments in Environmental Control of Root Growth
  • Lisa Viesselmann, ALVSCE, Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Validation of flow cytometry for immunophenotyping of canine lymphocytes
  • Zheshen Zhang, Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Development of low-loss, crack-free, active silicon nitride platforms

January 2021

  • Ravi Goyal, Agriculture & Life Sciences, Animal & Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Intrauterine Growth Restriction and Sexually Dimorphic Programming of Obesity.
  • Renee Duckworth, Science, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, STRESS-INDUCED MATERNAL EFFECTS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONALITY
  • Martha Bhattacharya, Science, Neuroscience, Plasma Membrane Proteomics for a Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) Research Course
  • Julie Miller, Science, Neuroscience, Immunohistochemical Protein Detection in the Finch Brain: Relevance to Vocal Communication
  • Anne Wertheimer, BIO5, Towards a Hydrogel Therapeutic for Diabetic Foot Wounds - a pilot

October 2020

  • Martha Bhattacharya, Science, Neuroscience, Flow Cytometry for a Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) Research Course
  • Laura Meredith, Agriculture & Life Sciences, School of Natural Resources & the Environment, Soil microbial VOC cycling elucidated by gene expression across drought-rewet dynamics
  • Daniela Zarnescu, Science, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Determining activity dependent changes at neuromuscular synapses in ALS

July 2020

  • Jessica Barnes, Science, Lunar & Planetary Laboratory, Impact Modification of Indigenous Lunar Materials
  • Joao de Souza, Science, Lunar & Planetary Laboratory, Restoring Photosensitivity in Retinas Using Gold-Nanoparticles-assisted optocapacitance
  • R. Keating Godfrey, Science, Molecular & Cellular Biology, A method for high resolution imaging method of intact brains using conventional confocal microscopy
  • Philipp Gutruf, Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Restoring Photosensitivity in Retinas Using Gold-Nanoparticles-assisted optocapacitance
  • Kaveh Laksari, Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Pilot data to determine photoacoustic imaging markers in traumatic brain injury
  • Sean Limesand, Agriculture & Life Sciences, Animal & Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Single Cell Transcriptome Profiling of Fetal Pancreatic Islets
  • Paulo Pires, College of Medicine-Tucson, Physiology, Pilot studies of cerebral hemodynamics and lymphatic clearance in mouse models of AD
  • Daniel Powell, College of Medicine-Tucson, Valley Fever Center for Excellence, Altering splice variants of Dectin-1 to improve fungal recognition and resistance
  • Adam Printz, Engineering, Chemical & Environmental Engineering, Using High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to Correlate Perovskite Grain Size to Device Performance and Stability Enhancement
  • Jeff Pyun, Science, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Development of Ultra-High Verdet Polymer Nanocomposites for Next Generation Optical Devices

Facilities & Administrative (F&A) Rates

The activity type is the basis for Facilities & Administrative (F&A) rates applied to a project. The activity type is used by the Financial Services Office to determine the overhead and space commitments of Sponsored Research at the University of Arizona. Even though a project may contain parts of multiple categories, a single overall goal of the project must be determined. 

The F&A rate should be consistent with the classification of the project according to the following table. 

The FY25 F&A Rate Agreement was signed May 2024.

Standard F&A Rate Table 

Activity typeDescriptionFY 24 Rate1FY 25 Rate1FY 26 Rate1FY 27 Rate1Rate Category
Research (On-campus)Intended to result in the creation, development, organization, and/or application of knowledge; Activities include rigorous inquiry, experimentation or investigation to increase scholarly understanding, as well as systematic application of knowledge or understanding toward the production of useful materials, devices, and systems or methods.53.5% MTDC54.5% MTDC55.0% MTDC55.5% MTDCFederal Negotiated Rate
Commercial/For Profit, Foreign Government Research (On-campus)Activity intended to result in the creation, organization, and/or application of knowledge53.5% + 9% = 62.5% MTDC55.5% + 9% = 64.5% MTDC55.5% + 9% = 64.5% MTDC55.5% + 9% = 64.5% MTDCOther Standard UA F&A Rate
Commercial/For Profit, Foreign Government (Off-campus)Activity intended to result in the creation, organization, and/or application of knowledge26% + 9% = 35% MTDC26% + 9% = 35% MTDC26% + 9% = 35% MTDC26% + 9% = 35% MTDCOther Standard UA F&A Rate
Research (Off-campus)Research that occurs off-campus³26% MTDC26% MTDC26% MTDC26% MTDCFederal Negotiated Rate
Instruction (On-campus)Intended to elicit education change in a learner or group of learners50% MTDC40% MTDC40% MTDC40% MTDCFederal Negotiated Rate
Instruction Commercial/For Profit, Foreign GovernmentIntended to elicit education change in a learner or group of learners50% + 9% = 59% MTDC40% + 9% = 49% MTDC40% + 9% = 49% MTDC40% + 9% = 49% MTDCOther Standard UA F&A Rate
Instruction (Off-campus)Instruction that occurs off-campus³26% MTDC26% MTDC26% MTDC26% MTDCFederal Negotiated Rate
Other Sponsored Activity (On-campus)Activity that responds to a community need or solves a public problem47% MTDC38% MTDC38% MTDC38% MTDCFederal Negotiated Rate
Other Sponsored Activity Commercial/For Profit, Foreign GovernmentActivity that responds to a community need or solves a public problem47% + 9% = 56% MTDC38% + 9% = 47% MTDC38% + 9% = 47% MTDC38% + 9% = 47% MTDCOther Standard UA F&A Rate
Other Sponsored Activity (Off-campus)Other Sponsored Activity that occurs off-campus³26% MTDC26% MTDC26% MTDC26% MTDCFederal Negotiated Rate
Clinical Trial⁴Protocol-driven drug and device testing involving human subjects, generally funded by for-profit sponsors30% TDC30% TDC30% TDC30% TDCOther Standard UA F&A Rate
Student Experiential LearningProjects conducted by students not employed by UA, as part of a course requirement (linked to a course number), not including graduate research credits25% TDC25% TDC25% TDC25% TDCOther Standard UA F&A Rate
Consortia MembershipsFees paid by a sponsor to become a member of an agreement based UA consortium; reach out to your college/dept for clarifications and allowances to apply this rate and allowable costs. 10% TDC10% TDC10% TDC10% TDCOther Standard UA F&A Rate
Inter-personnel AgreementsPlacement of UA staff at another institution which has responsibility for daily supervision of the staff member15% TDC15% TDC15% TDC15% TDCOther Standard UA F&A Rate
Arizona State and County AgenciesProjects sponsored by Arizona state agencies where the agency indicates that this is the maximum rate allowed ⁶10% TDC10% TDC10% TDC10% TDCOther Standard UA F&A Rate
Federal PrizesNo required research component. ⁵0% MTDC0% MTDC0% MTDC0% MTDCOther Standard UA F&A Rate
TRIF/ABOR FundingFunding from Arizona Board of Regents and/or Technology and Research Initiative Fund
 
0% MTDC0% MTDC0% MTDC0% MTDCOther Standard UA F&A Rate
STTR/SBIR Phase 1STTR/SBIR Phase 1 projects will be granted a one time waiver for 15% TDC. Note that NIH and NSF will not accept this waiver and strictly adhere to the UA's NICRA15% TDC15% TDC15% TDC15% TDCF&A Waiver

1 Rates are MTDC for Research, Instruction, and Other Sponsored Activity.  All other rates are TDC minimum rates.

2 For any activity in which we are a subrecipient and our sponsor's prime agreement is with a federal agency, our federally negotiated rates apply to our work.

3 For the definition of what constitutes off campus activity, please see the definition below.

4 This rate applies only to clinical trials that meet the criteria described on the F&A Costs page.

5Please note this is specific to prizes which follow the federal sponsor's criteria for their definition of what constitutes as a prize.

⁶Please note this rate is specific to precedence set by the sponsor and will be updated to reflect the current rates applicable by the sponsor.

Definition of Off-Campus

The off-campus rate is applicable to those projects that are conducted in facilities not owned, leased or operated by the University. If the project is conducted in leased space and lease costs are directly charges to the project, then the off-campus rate must be used. A project is considered off-campus if more than 50% of its salaries and wages are incurred at an off-campus facility. If a project is determined to be off-campus, it shall be considered wholly off-campus. Separate on and off-campus rates will not be used for a single project.

The criterion for determining whether activity is conducted on‐campus or off‐campus for a sponsored project is as follows: when 50 percent or more of budgeted University of Arizona time and effort is performed on‐campus, then the on‐campus indirect cost rate applies; when more than 50 percent of budgeted University of Arizona time and effort is performed off‐campus, the off‐campus indirect cost rate (26%) applies. Note that any subaward or vendor service costs are not considered University of Arizona time and effort in the determination of preponderance of time and effort. 

Working remotely does not equate to application of the off-campus rate; the off-campus rate should be applied when projects conducted in facilities that the university does not own, lease, or operate:

  • Leased Space: If your project is taking place in a leased facility and the lease costs are charged directly to the project, you should use the off-campus rate.
  • Salaries and Wages: If more than 50% of the project’s salaries and wages are incurred at an off-campus facility, the project is considered off-campus. Once determined, the entire project is treated as off-campus. There's no mixing of on-campus and off-campus rates.

For further clarification, please visit the Financial Services page for On/Off Campus Rate Guidance.

Industry and Foreign Government Cost Rate

UArizona’s Facilities and Administration (F&A) rates are negotiated between the University and the Department of Health and Human Services every three years. While these rates change nominally during these negotiations, the administrative costs allowed to be charged to federally sponsored agreements awarded are at 26% of Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC). This artificial cap translates into an approximately 3.5% shortfall on recovered Administrative costs. Institutionally there is approximately a 9% gap between the University’s negotiated federal F&A rate and the uncapped rate. While the University of Arizona has not thus far chosen to do so, most Universities in the AAU charge the full rate to non-Federal sponsors.

In order to maximize recovery of the true costs of research where feasible, as of July 1, 2021, the University will follow suit with the majority of AAU universities and assess an Administrative Fee of a minimum of 9% MTDC in addition to the federal F&A rate on all industry-sponsored research and research sponsored by foreign governments.

  • Any proposal submitted to SPS on July 1, 2021 or later must use the new rate
  • As a reminder, sponsored activity budgets submitted to sponsors that have not been approved by SPS through the UAR proposal process should be considered provisional, and are non-binding to the university
  • All stipulations directly associated with a RFP will be accepted
  • F&A waivers are not granted for industry sponsors