News

VIP Team Lead Dr. Jennie Gubner has been awarded named a 2026 CUES Distinguished Fellow and will lead a three-year project directly related to her VIP Team. The project is titled, "Community Music as Creative Wellbeing: A Living Lab for Arts and Health Education."

Vertically Integrated Projects would like to recognize VIP Team Lead Dr. Joost van Haren, Director of Rainforest Research at Biosphere 2, for leading a project supported by a Provost Investment Fund grant to install three new canopy walkways within the rainforest biome. These walkways provide students and researchers with safe access to the upper canopy, more than 70 feet above the forest floor, opening new opportunities for research in a previously hard-to-reach environment.

Built within one of the world's hottest tropical forest canopies, the walkway system helps scientists study how plants respond to extreme heat and changing climate conditions. Researchers can now more effectively monitor plant health, photosynthesis, water use, and heat stress across different levels of the canopy.

The project strengthens Biosphere 2's role in climate resilience research while creating valuable hands-on learning opportunities for students. By improving access to this unique ecosystem, the walkways will support future discoveries and help scientists better understand how tropical forests may adapt to a warming world.

University of Arizona researcher Diane Thompson is part of a team studying El Niño. Their research found that El Niño events over the past 40 years have been nearly 40% stronger than those of the previous 1,000 years, with climate models suggesting that natural variability alone cannot explain the increase.

Vertically Integrated Projects congratulates VIP student Jake Brumley, a junior in Optical Sciences and Engineering, on being selected as a 2026-2027 JustArts Fellow. Through his project, Artistic Albedo: Cooling Campus Through Community Muralism, Jake combines science and public art to address Tucson's urban heat challenges. Using thermal imaging, he will identify heat hotspots on campus and work with students and community members to create reflective murals that help lower temperatures. His innovative approach promotes sustainability, community engagement, and a more comfortable campus environment.

VIP Team Leader Dr. Malak Tfaily was featured as an editor for a collection on antibiotic resistance research. There is a breadth of different articles to read regarding the spread and impact of bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) congratulates Team Leads Dr. Donald Falk and Dr. Margaret Evans on receiving prestigious honors from the Ecological Society of America. Dr. Falk, a leader of the BEST-CLIM VIP Team, was named an ESA Fellow, while Dr. Evans, leader of the Tree-Rings, Forests, and the Climate Crisis VIP Team, received the George Mercer Award for her research on predicting climate patterns through ecological change across spatial gradients. Their achievements highlight the VIP program's impactful research and leadership.

VIP Team Lead Dr. Gerardo Lopez is working to better understand and track Cyclospora. This parasite is responsible for foodborne illness outbreaks. Dr. Lopez researches how the parasite contaminates produce and water sources. He notes it is difficult to trace, as symptoms take days to appear. He also helps to develop strategies to reduce food safety risks.

VIP Team Lead Dr. Barron-Gafford is highlighted in Pinal Central, providing key solutions for Arizona's energy demands. Dr. Barron-Gafford told Pinal Central that solar energy and agriculture can work together, allowing crops to grow under solar panels while producing renewable energy. Dr. Barron-Gafford said this offers a way to strengthen food, water, and energy resilience.

The Spring 2026 VIP and CURE Poster Session Viewers’ Choice Awards recognized outstanding student research and performances selected by attendees. Award-winning projects included research on DNA repair, detection of the foodborne parasite Cyclospora in Arizona waters, and a flute performance study showcasing musical creativity and scholarship. Congratulations to all the students and teams whose work stood out during this year’s event.

The VIP and CURE Spring 2026 Poster Session brought together students to showcase their research, projects, and demonstrations at the University of Arizona Student Union Ballroom. The event celebrated student achievements through poster presentations, live performances, and recognition of outstanding mentors, posters, and graduating VIP students for their long-term contributions to the program.

VIP leaders Dr. Laura Condon and Dr. Scott Saleska are contributing to two of the university’s five new DOE Genesis Mission AI projects. Condon is helping develop an AI model to improve national water and flood forecasting, while Saleska is using AI to study how water, plants, and microbes interact underground. Their work helped UArizona stand out as one of only four universities to earn five lead awards, showing how VIP teams are tackling real environmental challenges with AI.

Congratulations to Dr. Celina Urquidez for being named one of Southern Arizona’s 40 Under 40 honorees. Recognized alongside other University of Arizona leaders, Dr. Urquidez, co-lead of the DISCAPAZ VIP Team, was honored for her dedication, leadership, and commitment to education. Her achievement reflects the positive impact she continues to make in the community and at the University of Arizona.

Dr. Zafer Mutlu and his students have made a significant discovery in quantum materials. They found that graphene nanoribbons, which are tiny semiconductor strips, could one day replace silicon microchips and remain stable in extreme environments. Their experiments showed that gamma radiation creates an electrical current in the ribbons, meaning GNRs could serve as sensors to detect high radiation levels in fusion reactors.

VIP Team Lead Dr. Salma Patel talks about new insomnia treatment guidelines, saying adults shouldn’t rely only on medication. She recommends pairing meds with CBT‑I, a therapy that helps people change habits and thoughts that affect sleep. Her VIP Sleep and Circadian Research Group supports this combined approach. She also reminds providers that even with updated guidelines, care should always be personalized for each patient.

Dr. Gerardo Lopez is the team lead for the VIP team Investigating the Foodborne Parasite Cyclospora in Environmental Waters, a team that has contribute to his research. A small intestinal parasite called Cyclospora is spread via tainted food or drink. With this recent appearance, Dr. Gerardo Lopez was interviewed for his extensive knowledge of parasites like Cyclospora.

Congratulations to Dr. Laura Condon on her appointment as Interim Director of Biosphere 2 following the retirement of Joaquin Ruiz. Dr. Condon expressed her excitement about building on the strong foundation already established and advancing research on resilient Earth systems. She also emphasized Biosphere 2's unique role in connecting laboratory research with real-world environmental challenges while inspiring future generations of scientists.

The Vertically Integrated Projects program is thrilled to welcome Gerardo (Jerry) Lopez, M.A.T., M.Ed., PhD, as our new Faculty Director. Dr. Lopez is an Associate Professor & Extension specialist focusing on STEM, food safety, and environmental microbiology in the School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences. VIP engages undergraduate and graduate students in long-term, multidisciplinary project teams that cover a broad array of research, scholarship, and creative activities. Dr. Lopez has led the VIP Team Investigating the Foodborne Parasite Cyclospora in Environmental Waters for three years; we look forward to his new role in VIP leadership.

VIP Team Lead Dr. Greg Barron-Gafford is one of the leading researchers for agrivoltaics. His work was featured in an article on the additional benefits of solar panels for farmworkers. This research shows that there are ways to save water and keep the crops cool, and benefits farmworkers from unbearable work conditions.

Dr. Chris Impey, Dr. Scott Saleska, and Dr. Travis Sawyer were all chosen to be 2026 Fulbright Scholars. Congratulations on this prestigious honor and thank you for representing VIP across the globe!!

Dr. Kimme Hea has been named the new Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. She has served on the VIP Executive Committee since VIP's inception in Fall 2020. We are so proud and look forward to being connected to your work in your new role at the University of Arizona!