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Schnell takes reins as ITI director

Tom “Mach” Schnell has taken the helm as director of the Iowa Technology Institute, effective April 15, succeeding Karim Abdel-Malek, who had led the research institute for 20 years.

Schnell’s vision is to deepen the connection between ITI faculty and industry as well as leverage interdisciplinary research to attract large-scale grants.

Explore the latest research at OPL

The University of Iowa's Operator Performance Lab, directed by Dr. Tom "Mach" Schnell, is a flight testing laboratory with a fleet of jets, helicopters, Humvees, and UAVs.

Iowa professor's innovation among Time magazine's best inventions of 2024

Yang Liu, University of Iowa associate professor of electrical and computer engineering and an ITI faculty affiliate, co-founded Unify Medical, which released a digital loupe technology called Amplio to support image-guided surgical procedures. Amplio made Time magazine's best inventions of 2024.

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Advanced Manufacturing and Materials

Aerospace Technology

Biotechnology

Environment and Energy

Human Modeling and Simulation

Systems and Sensors

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ITI has a number of strategic partnerships with academic institutions, consortia and membership organizations, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private businesses. These help fund and support our research and development.

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Recent News

Lee selected for distinguished service medal

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

College of Engineering

The Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) has awarded Hosin “David” Lee, a University of Iowa professor of civil and environmental engineering, with its 2025 Distinguished Service Membership Award, citing his “exemplary leadership, visionary service, and profound impact.”

Xi Chen wins Goody Award for young scholars

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

College of Engineering

Xi Chen, an assistant research scientist in the AER Lab, has won a top award for early career scientists investigating how tiny particles interact with light and other electromagnetic particles in the atmosphere so scientists can improve weather forecasting and monitor air quality.

Two students pose for photos in an airplane hangar

OPL, Air Force Test Pilot School partnership benefits students

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Operator Performance Laboratory

An aspiring U.S. Air Force pilot found a rare opportunity this year to work directly with a senior officer, gaining hands-on experience with advanced aviation technology while observing the calm, cool, collected demeanor required of airmen. They met while conducting research for their engineering graduate degrees at the University of Iowa Operator Performance Laboratory (OPL).

Schnieders secures NSF grant to speed up drug development

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Michael Schnieders, University of Iowa professor of biomedical engineering, is developing new computer models that would speed up development of lifesaving drugs by better predicting how drug formulas will interact with the human body.

Schnell takes reins as ITI director

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Tom “Mach” Schnell has taken the helm as director of the University of Iowa Technology Institute, effective April 15, succeeding Karim Abdel-Malek, who had led the research institute for 20 years.

Edward Sander inducted as AIMBE fellow

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Edward A. Sander, a renowned University of Iowa scholar in the areas of tissue engineering and multiscale mechanics, has been inducted as a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), an organization representing the top minds in the field.

ITI graduate research assistants get first-hand experience with NASA airborne research

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

University of Iowa students recently experienced airborne research firsthand, traveling to California's Mojave Desert for a NASA mission to verify satellite data using a high-altitude aircraft soaring 12 miles above Earth.

Military experience positions Iowa engineering student for success

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Serving in the U.S. Marines gave Arnold “Bill” Bangel III the focus he needed to pursue a PhD in industrial and systems engineering at the University of Iowa. Learning how to navigate a devastating loss gave him life perspective.

Iowa researchers studying aerosol data from International Space Station

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Jun Wang, University of Iowa professor and DEO of chemical and biochemical engineering, is leading a new NASA study to gain insights into the complex interactions between aerosols and climate, enabling scientists to better predict and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Wang wins 2024 Joanne Simpson Medal

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Jun Wang, University of Iowa’s Lichtenberger Family Chair in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, was awarded the 2024 Joanne Simpson Medal for mid-career scientists in recognition of significant contributions to Earth and space science.

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