Letter from the president
Dear Vandals,
University of Idaho research drives our state’s economy and provides innovative solutions to our most vexing challenges.
This spring, we celebrate reaching our long-pursued goal of R1 research classification from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Joining the top tier of research universities in the country brings prestige to the tremendous work we already do across the state. More importantly, the designation allows us to better compete for research dollars, 80% of which go to R1 institutions.
The new classification verifies the remarkable growth of our research enterprise. We’re national leaders in water, forestry, wildfire, agriculture and soil health research. We set a U of I record last fiscal year with nearly $136 million in research expenditures, more than all other private and public Idaho educational institutions combined.
This issue of Here We Have Idaho highlights some of the innovations, creative solutions and practical community-building ventures we have completed.
Our drone lab supports research across the state, and we’ve expanded it to build and repair our own drones. Another team of students and faculty members at U of I Coeur d’Alene is working with the U.S. Forest Service to design an autonomous robot that can identify and kill weeds in large tree nurseries.
U of I integrates STEM education with Indigenous perspectives to address natural resource and land-use challenges, while fostering educational partnerships for students. In the Department of Movement Sciences, a faculty member and student are designing a program to keep ROTC cadets healthier.
Our medical education faculty members and students research dementia and study prevention.
Research plays a central role in the U of I student experience. Student research featured in this edition includes stories about virtual fence ear tags for cattle and insects’ role as water-quality indicators, among many others.
If you’re like me, you’ll appreciate the depth and breadth of U of I research celebrated in this issue and on display throughout our state each day.
Go Vandals!
Sincerely,
Scott Green
President, University of Idaho
Published in the Spring 2025 issue of Here We Have Idaho.
