Scientists in each of our five schools and five departments conduct a wide range of research related to agricultural and environmental sciences, biosystems engineering, retailing, family studies, comparative biomedical sciences and more.
Agricultural and Resource Economics
Efficiency and equity implications of allocative issues affecting the agricultural sector, pollution problems and equity implication of related policies, governance of common-pool natural resources, and dynamically optimal rates of resource extraction.
Agricultural Education, Technology and Innovation
Teaching and learning in agricultural mechanics technology, implications of organizational innovation and academic entrepreneurship on higher ed, and developing and evaluating programs that integrate STEM into environmental education and foster critical and creative thinking skill development.
Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences
Aims to reduce foodborne diseases, improve performance of agriculturally important species, develop diagnostics for shrimp disease and evaluate antibacterial and antiviral compounds.
Biosystems Engineering
Research on application of engineering principles to living systems including plants, microbes, animals and the environment. Current research foci: Controlled Environment Agriculture; One Health; Water Resources; Food, Bioproducts and Renewable Energy.
Entomology
Faculty expertise encompasses fundamental insect biology, pest management and outreach. Entomology enjoys excellent research facilities on the main campus in Tucson and throughout the state of Arizona.
Environmental Science
Critical Zone Science is focused on Earth’s near surface environment where complex interactions regulate life; Water Quality and Sustainability includes preserving ecosystem services and water resources; Pollution Dynamics and Mitigation focuses on understanding and mitigating contamination, and mediating environmental impacts on human health; Arid and Semiarid Agriculture is focused on understanding and enhancing agricultural practices in the southwestern US.
Human Ecology
Research leading to a better understanding of topics affecting consumer and family decision-making; fathers, parenting and families; health, emotions and relationships; adolescent health and development, and early childhood; typical and atypical development.
Natural Resources and the Environment
Addresses both grand challenges and applied problem solving in environmental sciences by integrating across the boundaries of biology, physical science, resource management and international resource issues. Research responds directly to the demands of society for solutions to natural resource issues.
Nutritional Sciences and Wellness
Research in body composition focuses on the structure of biochemistry of fat, muscle, blood and bone, and how diet and physical activity improve or prevent adverse changes that contribute to obesity, heart disease and osteoarthritis. Research in cancer is defining molecular and biomechanical mechanisms involved in initiation, promotion and treatment and prevention of cancers.
Plant Sciences
How plants grow, how they respond to environment, how they evolved and can be manipulated, and fungal, bacterial and viral interactions. Plants are also studied from the viewpoint of applied research and addressing societal goals, such as biofuels, enhanced nutrition and discovery of biomedicinal compounds.