Vertically Integrated Projects
The goal of Vertically Integrated Projects (VIPs) is to connect diverse students to the generation of new knowledge. The hallmark of a Research 1 university, like UArizona, is the amazing scholarly activity of faculty, staff, and students. VIPs provide a framework for aligning faculty inquiry and teaching efforts while engaging students in authentic research and inquiry.
VIPs emphasize access and inclusion of under-represented groups, working to break down barriers to participation in science, research, and knowledge creation. Teams of students work on VIPs and experience the benefits of community and belonging through multi-year research and inquiry experiences within supportive networks. With a focus on tangible outcomes produced in a team setting, students develop valuable, in-demand skills.
Additionally, VIPs reach across departments and outside of campus walls. VIPs link UArizona programs with complementary aims as well as connect them to community partners and existing K12 and first-year initiatives. VIPs are a cornerstone methodology within a cohesive program inspired by resilience, sustainable development, and other frameworks for solving global grand challenges.
Agrivoltaics: Food, Energy, and Water Solutions
Investigates how to best grow food and produce solar energy in the same location to maximize food and energy production and minimize water usage.
Project WebsiteAssessing Resilience of Arizona Grasslands to Changes in the North American Monsoon
Seeks to fill a knowledge gap by researching the impacts of extreme drought on rangeland ecosystem services. (also known as RainManSr)
Project WebsiteBEST-CLIM: Best Ecosystem STructure for CLImate Mitigation
Looks at the interaction between climate and arid landscapes: the team assesses the best vegetation structure and density for maximizing arid environments’ abilities to contribute to climate cooling.
Project WebsiteCoral Reef Resilience: Biosphere 2 Science at Scale
Uses the unique Biosphere 2 research facility to mimic the effects of a warming climate on coral reefs and, specifically, to understand the interaction of living and nonliving factors on the physiology and health of corals.
Project WebsiteDesert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill
This institution leverages its long-term (greater than 100 years!) urban field station to research the dynamics of how life adapts and responds to aridity and climate change variability.
Project WebsiteHeat, Housing, and Health+: Understanding Vulnerability and Building Resilience within Manufactured Housing Communities (H3+)
Investigates indoor consequences of rising temperatures — the unequal risks of heat to mobile homes residents.
Project WebsiteIntegrated Climate Research: Ecology, Water, and Weather (ICREWW)
Seeks to address the question “How do climate variables change over time and affect one another?”
Project WebsiteRedox Flow Batteries (RFBs) for Long-Duration Energy Storage
Seeks to develop a new technology for Redox Flow Batteries that would allow long-term energy storage to be possible, thereby addressing a major challenge for current renewable energy systems — an important and innovative solution in the face of climate change.
Project WebsiteTucson Bee Collaborative
Investigates specific species — native bees — impacted by threats such as climate change and works to increase knowledge and awareness of these bees to advance conservation efforts.
Project Website