NAU Research

At Northern Arizona University, we’ve always been a part of the world and a partner to it—starting in our hometown, a city that prizes innovation. NAU, widely recognized as a higher-research institution, has built a reputation for scientific discovery and the invention of new technologies. Comprised of some of the best and brightest scientists from all over the world, NAU research faculty are committed to exploring our world and expanding our knowledge. From astrophysicists and climate scientists to bioinformaticians and geneticists, our talented research faculty are leaders in their fields. They bring their passion for discovery to their labs and their classrooms. At NAU, our faculty lead a broad range of initiatives, many of which have developed into university-wide centers or institutes that drive excellence in strategic areas of interdisciplinary research, such as the Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, the Center for Bioengineering Innovation, the Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, the Center for Health Equity Research, and the Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research. At NAU, our desire and drive to understand the world around us have only grown as we’ve expanded our research emphasis across disciplines. According to the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education® , NAU is classified as “R2: Doctoral Universities – Higher Research Activity.”