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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.

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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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

University of Iowa plays leadership role in NASA’s STRIVE mission

Friday, February 20, 2026

College of Engineering

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

College of Engineering

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

College of Engineering

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.

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