Research at the intersection of the Biological, Physical, Biomedical and Data Sciences

In the College of Science, we collaborate at the intersection of the biological, physical, biomedical and data sciences to educate new scientists, to make discoveries and to innovate. Our expertise in environmental sciences encompasses all types of biology from the microscopic molecular foundations of living systems to global-scale effects of climate change.

Strong graduate programs that go beyond the borders of traditional science

We have strong programs ranging from marine ecology and biodiversity to microbiome research and development of analytical methodologies to address large-scale problems. By applying mathematical and statistical approaches to uncertainty quantification, our faculty and students help augment studies of environmental systems. Our materials science program integrates the synthesis of new benign molecules and solids from earth-abundant elements with studies of their properties. Faculty incorporate advanced computational and data science methodologies to create targeted materials that function by design. Together, our work in environmental, materials and data sciences leverages fundamental discoveries that improve resource management and create technology solutions for clean energy and a smart, sustainable planet.

With a focus on understanding the fundamental molecular-level mechanisms underlying life, our biomedical sciences programs explore how vitamins inhibit disease, the relationships between biomolecular structure and function and new routes to target-based drug discovery. Researchers develop and integrate new mathematical, statistical and computational methods to organize and understand the large volumes of information derived from studying complex biomolecules and health records. Ultimately, our findings are translated for medicine and the public to improve health.