Our Research Stories

Drew Castalia has placed third in the Turbo Makes Games DOTS Jam, an international competition spotlighting data-oriented programming. His entry, Tic Tac Noo, is a clever inversion of the ubiquitous match-three puzzle genre, challenging players to avoid creating matches.

In the ever-evolving world of artificial intelligence, researchers constantly seek new ways to make machines understand and simulate our reality. Among those at the forefront is Ruoyao Wang, a fourth-year PhD in Information student in the College of Information Science.

With the presidential election nearing, University of Arizona experts in the College of Information Science, Diana Daly and Michael McKisson, explain the different types of false online information, why there are no easy solutions and what voters can do.

Dr. P. Bryan Heidorn directs the Center for Digital Society and Data Studies in addition to his roles as professor and associate dean for research and graduate academic affairs. With a diverse background in iSchools leadership and information science research, he is passionate about getting information to scientists, policymakers and general citizens worldwide to make informed decisions about our environment.

A recent article in Retrofit magazine highlights how emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and digital twins, are poised to transform the architecture and construction industries. Architect and Senior Lecturer Damon Leverett shares his perspective on the role of AI and data-driven design in reshaping the built environment.

The College of Information Science will help more students—especially those from historically underrepresented backgrounds—get paid internships in community archives, thanks to a $1 million grant from the Mellon Foundation's Public Knowledge Program managed by InfoSci professors Jamie A. Lee and Berlin Loa.

Dr. Nitika Sharma, an assistant professor of practice, joined the college in Fall 2024 following two postdoctoral fellowships at UCLA. Her research bridges ecology, evolution, mathematics and data. Learn more about Professor Sharma, including her advice to students about data science and public interest.

In the ever-evolving landscape of mobile technology, understanding how users adopt new app versions is crucial for developers. U of A's Xuan Lu has contributed significantly to this field through a collaborative, international study on the adoption of “recurrent innovations,” focusing on mobile app updates.

Dr. Liangming Pan, who holds a PhD in Computer Science from the National University of Singapore, joined the college in fall 2024. His primary research focuses on natural language processing and machine learning—artificial intelligence—and specifically how to build large language models that are logical, truthful and safe. Learn more about our newest assistant professor in this profile.

Misogyny is an everyday adversary for women gamers. Information science, led by student storytelling and research guided by Associate Professor of Practice Diana Daly, shows how they build a community to overcome it.

Dr. Marie Saldaña, an assistant professor with a PhD in Architecture, joined the College of Information Science in fall 2024 because of its transdisciplinary approaches. Her research focuses on cultural heritage informatics, and she is currently serving a fellowship with the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes are a growing problem for elected officials and citizens alike. A new Arizona law hopes to tackle AI deepfakes, and College of Information Science Professor Bryan Heidorn provides insight in a recent KOLD News 13 story.

By fostering an environment where curiosity drives research and collaboration bridges disciplines, the Extended Reality and Games Lab not only advances academic knowledge but also provides valuable insights and innovations to industry.

Dr. Tyler Millhouse, who joined the college in 2023, specializes in the philosophy of science, with an emphasis on the philosophy of data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence. Learn more about his interests in AI, ethics and astronomy in this faculty profile.

Jonathon Reinhardt, a professor of English and second language acquisition who holds an affiliation with the College of Information Science, was quoted in The Washington Post about how the use of video games such as The Sims can help players learn a new language.