We are pleased to report that in fiscal year 2017, Northern Arizona University once again exceeded its Arizona Board of Regents enterprise plan goals for research activity and innovation. This annual summary provides a wide range of examples illustrating NAU’s accomplishments in the areas of growth, discovery, impact, leadership and innovation.

Fiscal year 2017 was a breakthrough year for our research enterprise, and we’ve undertaken major initiatives to ensure NAU’s growth is strong and sustainable. Historically, we have made robust contributions in the fields of land management and climate sciences, microbiology, astronomy and planetary science, and health sciences. Even as we capitalized on our strengths last year, we also increased our investments in technologies aligned with bioengineering, informatics and cyber systems, and the human microbiome – all of which are generating exciting new interdisciplinary collaborations across the university, growing partnerships with business and industry, and providing meaningful hands-on experiences for students in research labs and classrooms.

Research plays an increasing role in NAU’s institutional mission as our national recognition and grant awards continue to grow. The direct, deliberate connection between our research enterprise and our student education experience remains a priority – and the impact it has on both graduate and undergraduate students is a critical aspect of NAU’s teaching mission.

Research holds tremendous possibilities for NAU, and we are committed to escalating this growth in the years ahead. By investing in the human and physical resources needed to grow the research enterprise, we are also broadening academic capacity and building stronger academic programs. By strategically increasing the university’s research capacity, we will stimulate innovation and technology transfer that contributes to the intellectual and economic development of our state, generating opportunities and improving the quality of life. This report highlights some of the programs and researchers that are expanding our quest for knowledge, here at 7,000 feet and beyond.

Rita Hartung Cheng
NAU President