Collaborative, interdisciplinary communities—our “research sandboxes”—where emerging ideas
grow into future hubs, centers, and initiatives.
Working Groups are flexible, faculty-driven research communities built around shared questions, emerging topics, or societal challenges.
These groups serve as research sandboxes—places where new collaborations form, proposals take shape, and early exploration can grow into larger institutional priorities.
Each group is interdisciplinary by design and supported through peer collaboration and university resources. Many working groups eventually scale into hubs, centers, or major research initiatives.
Working Groups welcome new collaborators. Use the contact listed for each group to ask questions, join their
communications list, or explore opportunities.
Neuroscience & Computing
Exploring the intersection of neuroscience and computer science across two pillars:
Neuromorphic Computing for ultra-efficient cognitive systems and brain–computer interfaces
Computational Neuroscience using models and algorithms to understand learning, behavior, and neural function
Advancing research on essential minerals—including lithium, copper, gallium, indium, platinum, and tellurium—that support national security, energy development, and high-tech manufacturing. The group examines extraction, processing, sustainability, and policy issues surrounding global demand.
A cross-disciplinary group researching wildfire risk, impacts, forecasting, resilience, and policy. Formed in collaboration with the Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy and the VPR Office.
Focused on food security and food systems, including food as medicine, nutrition, chronic disease, dietary assessment, food sovereignty, policy, and access.
Connecting housing researchers to share data, develop partnerships, and generate insights that inform policy, affordability, planning, and community outcomes in Utah and beyond.
An interdisciplinary group spanning medicine, education, social science, and bio-research to improve understanding and support for autistic individuals across the lifespan.
Focused on preventing suicide through cross-disciplinary research, improved risk identification, novel interventions, and leveraging the university’s unique datasets.
Advancing research on essential minerals—including lithium, copper, gallium, indium, platinum, and tellurium—that support national security, energy development, and high-tech manufacturing. The group examines extraction, processing, sustainability, and policy issues surrounding global demand.
