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.
University of Iowa plays leadership role in NASA’s STRIVE mission
The University of Iowa, led by Professor Jun Wang, will play a leading role in an up to $355 million space mission called STRIVE that is designed to help NASA better understand Earth and improve capabilities to foresee environmental events and mitigate disasters.
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Recent News
Fatima Toor named Senior Member of National Academy of Inventors
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Fatima Toor, University of Iowa professor of electrical and computer engineering Lowell G. Battershell Chair in Laser Engineering, has been selected for the 2026 class of Senior Members of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).
University of Iowa plays leadership role in NASA’s STRIVE mission
Friday, February 20, 2026
The University of Iowa, led by Professor Jun Wang, will play a leading role in a, up to, $355 million space mission called STRIVE that is designed to help NASA better understand Earth and improve capabilities to foresee environmental events and mitigate disasters.
OPL at 8,000 feet: Iowa lab tests the future of flight
Monday, February 9, 2026
University of Iowa staffer details experience flying in Aero L-29 Delfin trainer jet with the Operator Performance Laboratory. In full flight suit, strapped into one of OPLs oldest birds with a parachute attached to my seat, we bank east. Off the right wing, a second L-29 and a Beechcraft Bonanza slide into echelon formation.
New honors named for CEE's Lee
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Several new honors and scholarships have been named after longtime University of Iowa engineering professor Hosin “David” Lee, a testament to a career of achievement and contributions to the field of sustainable transportation infrastructure.
Iowa PhD student's algorithm becomes global resource through industry partnership
Friday, December 5, 2025
Jonah Marks, a University of Iowa PhD candidate in chemical and biochemical engineering, created a better way for scientists to find "transition states" in chemical reactions that are essential to design new medicines, better catalysts, and advanced materials.
UI scholars find laser technology could make surgeries safer
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Researchers at the University of Iowa have found they can bend high-tech lasers without sacrificing performance – a key milestone in bringing advanced laser systems into hospitals, labs, and fieldwork.
NASA sponsors UI research to advance wildfire air quality forecasting
Monday, November 10, 2025
A $500,000 NASA grant led by Xi Chen, principal investigator, and Jun Wang, co-investigator, will leverage state-of-the-art satellite-based measurements of aerosol optical centroid height (AOCH) — a key indicator of smoke layer altitude.
Lee selected for distinguished service medal
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
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
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.
OPL, Air Force Test Pilot School partnership benefits students
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
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).
Media Coverage
Can AI stop, or even prevent, abuse?
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
A Daily Boost in Dust Height
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
KGAN-TV Special Report: New AI camera system would provide critical evidence in child abuse cases
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Can AI detect abuse? These UI professors say it can
Monday, November 11, 2024
University of Iowa professors develop camera program to identify abuse
Monday, October 21, 2024
University of Iowa awards $6 million to expand weather, soil network for Midwest farmers
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
$6 million award helps Univ. of Iowa collect weather data in rural areas
Friday, August 2, 2024
UI leads $6M NSF-funded initiative to combat severe weather in the Midwest
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
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