Research & Academics

July 24, 2019

In the last 20 years, rapid advances in DNA sequencing and bioinformatics technologies have significantly improved scientists’ understanding of the microbial world. Examples include increased knowledge about the vast diversity of microorganisms; how microbiota and microbiomes impact disease and medical treatment; how microorganisms impact the health of our planet; and the potential for applications of microbiome biotechnology in the medical, forensic, environmental and agricultural fields.

In 2009, Northern Arizona University associate professor Greg Caporaso of the Center for Applied Microbiome Science, part of the Pathogen and… Read more

July 22, 2019

In a world of smart watches, smart homes and smart appliances that monitor their environments to keep users safe and informed, can whole cities be smarter? Short answer: Probably, using cutting-edge information technologies to keep citizens and property safer. The long answer: NAU researchers Eck Doerry and Ben Ruddell aim to find out through their FloodAware project, which allows them to explore what it would mean for a city to be “smart” about floodwater management. 

“We realized… Read more

July 15, 2019

Every five minutes, an animal species goes extinct.

With more than 7,000 species throughout the world on the endangered species list, animals are more vulnerable of disappearing than ever. Among those is the forest elephant—one of the last remaining megaherbivores on Earth.

Native to Africa, the forest elephant species was once widespread throughout central and west Africa. With the colonization of west Africa by Europeans came the demand for ivory and habitat destruction, and consequently the forest elephant population drastically dropped. Today, the elephant species has… Read more

July 16, 2019

Insulin, a medication used to treat diabetes, is temperature-sensitive and has a short shelf life. It can be stored unopened for up to a year, but once opened, it must be used within weeks or even days. Because insulin is composed of proteins suspended in a water-based solution that facilitates its delivery and preservation, if it isn’t refrigerated or used shortly after opening, those proteins can break down and become ineffective.

While many Americans may not consider insulin storage requirements much of a… Read more

July 12, 2019

On Monday, President Rita Cheng signed an agreement that allows Northern Arizona University to bring its master of public administration (MPA) program to students in China.

The agreement, the first of its kind for NAU, with AIEI of Shenzhen makes NAU one of the first American universities to enter the MPA market in China. AIEI students can enroll in NAU’s program and earn a degree from NAU while living and doing most of their work in China.

Students in… Read more