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Two students doing water research while standing in a stream at Hartley Pond.

Research

At UMD, our shared passion for discovery fuels innovation and creativity. Faculty and students work together to produce high-quality research that benefits people in Minnesota and beyond.

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A center for scientific and economic research in the natural resources of the Great Lakes region.

A student in the snow collecting a sample

27.5 million average research expenditures per year.
 

Two students next to a drainage pipe in the snow, using scientific equipment.

Students and faculty are active in applied research that is community-engaged and relevant.

Research for Lasting Impact

Discover what UMD research is doing for you!

Watch this short video for an overview on UMD's research in impact to Northeastern MN. 

 

 

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UMD Research Centers and Institutes

Large Lakes Observatory

MN Sea Grant

Natural Resources Research Institute

Two men, wearing hard hats and vests, on a construction lift looking at a piece of paper.

“It’s basically a great opportunity for us to learn more outside of the classroom and go deeper than what we learned in the class.”'

-Sai Wu, BS '18, MS '21

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Karissa White Isaacs and Carl Gawboy looking at art together

Research for connected communities.

The Tweed’s exhibition “A Life Well-Painted: The Art of Carl Gawboy” connects the history of our region with today, and connects the museum to the community. Learn more about Bois Forte Anishinaabe and Finnish artist, Carl Gawboy's body of artwork.

A group of people standing on a large boar, the Blue Heron.

Research for cleaner water.

Minnesota lakes and ecosystems need to be protected for future generations. People need clean water and a clean environment to thrive. When microplastics get into the environment there is concern they will damage the ecosystem and human health. Learn more about our research on microplastics.

A person squatting in a field harvesting lettuce.

Research for Healthy Lives

A food system should support farmers, and nutritious food should be accessible to everyone. Farmer livelihood and food access typically aren’t studied together. That requires research for healthy lives.

A professor and an older person looking at a laptop.

Saving "I Love You"

Dr. Jolene Hyppa-Martin is making sure that people with ALS can communicate, even after they lose the ability to speak. 

Two people, frames by a tree, examining a pothole.

Filling a need

Made from waste taconite, NRRI’s pothole patch is being road-tested on the pitted streets of Duluth.

Close up image of Pepper the robot.

Research for amplified care.

Augmenting the care humans provide allows people with dementia to stay independent longer. This takes research for smarter robotics. Learn more about how Pepper the robot is helping senior citizens maintain quality of living and delay assisted living care. 

Two people in a canoe.

Research for Healthier Lakes

Keeping invasive spiny water fleas out of Minnesota’s lakes and rivers means that walleyes and other fish continue to thrive, and that’s good for Minnesota’s tourism and restaurant industries. Learn more about our research on spiny water fleas.
 

An older woman smiling at a robot.

Maintaining quality of life
Dr. Arshia Khan’s robot, Pepper, will ensure that people with early stage Alzheimer’s disease stay independent longer.

Workers in a field planting trees.

Growing new markets

NRRI’s hybrid trees are engineered to meet future demands for biofuel, renewal plastics, and eco-friendly chemicals.

Two men, wearing hard hats and vests, on a construction lift looking at a piece of paper.

Ensuring sturdier bridges

Dr. Ben Dymond has collected data that will help keep the Blatnik Bridge structurally sound and commuters safe.

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