David Reetz is a researcher in both physics and biology as well as a bioengineering major. He is also autistic and wants to be a role model for neurodivergent people.

Idaho’s only Carnegie R1 university

U of I achieves Carnegie R1

Our passion for discovery and our world-class faculty has benefited Idaho and the Pacific Northwest for generations, leading to scientific discoveries, economic prosperity and sustainable solutions. Vandals engage in hands-on research, not only at the graduate level but also as undergraduates, preparing them to solve the world’s most pressing problems.

Because of our commitment to innovative research we have earned a prestigious Carnegie R1 classification, placing us among the most impactful institutions in the world. This distinction ensures Idahoans have access to top-tier research opportunities to drive innovation and shape the future.

Carnegie R1 Classified University

University of Idaho Expends

$135.9 MILLION

In Research Dollars Annually

Jaap Vos writing on pane of glass using dry erase markers

Understanding change

Dive into how shifting demographics shape the Gem State's future. From remote forests to state agencies, U of I findings drive strategic decisions. Discover why Idaho's not just growing, but changing.

Read how Idaho's growing
two bricks of compressed sawdust

Sawdust? See solutions

At its best, sawdust is a by-product and at worst, a waste product in timber supply chains. But what if sawdust was used to solve one of the biggest problems millions of Americans face today? Reimagine how houses are made through the lens of a University of Idaho research team, and build your knowledge of how sustainable solutions turn a housing crisis into a win-win opportunity.

Read about their solution
A team from the University of Idaho robotics program recently built a wheeled robot that uses electricity to kill weeds in US Forest Service nursery seedling beds in Coeur d'Alene, ID. The robot travels rows via a programmed route while following data to differentiate between seedlings and weeds. It uses a moveable arm and electricity to “zap” weeds, killing them with a more than 95% efficiency, reducing labor costs and the use of petrol chemicals.

Planting and weeding for future growth

Artificial intelligence gets a bad rap, and robots still seem like the stuff of science fiction. But if you bring them together, you have one of University of Idaho’s latest innovative research projects. See how computer science, industrial robotics and agriculture come together to lay the groundwork (and clear the weeds) for the budding future of AI-powered robotics.

Read about the future of robotics
College of Natrual Resource University of Idaho Experimental Forest prescribed burn

Future forestry

What would happen if we completely changed the way we manage forests? What if we pushed it even further and used technology to monitor our lumber supply chain and to understand real-time health and wellness in our wildland firefighters? We're about to find out.

Read about the future of forestry
potato seedlings in jars, in a laboratory

Spudding discoveries

Mashed, boiled, chipped, scalloped or French fried. However you take ‘em, one thing is for sure: a world without potatoes would be a world without many of the things we love. Dig into how University of Idaho ensures we have access to healthy, nutritious potatoes.

Read about their research