Our Progress

Iowa State researchers have discovered a method for modifying an enzyme crucial to fat production. It’s a step with potential to lead to more effective treatments for childhood obesity and cancer. Researchers say they’ve identified a metabolic switch — similar to a car’s accelerator — to control the enzyme, which could lead to highly precise, highly targeted treatments. While the discovery holds promising potential, further research and testing is needed.

When inspiration struck, Hory Chikez wasted no time getting to work on designing a mobile assembly lab to give his students hands-on industry experience. The innovative lab features two different setups – a more traditional moving assembly line and an assembly formation to exemplify LEAN manufacturing concepts. Students helped design and build the lab as part of a project management case study during the fall 2022 semester. Now students are using the lab’s different setups to assemble model vehicle units and apply concepts their learning in the classroom. Chikez says the lab will open new idea pathways for students.

In July, Iowa State’s College of Design, in partnership with the City of Des Moines, hosted a session of the Mayors’ Institute on City Design in Des Moines. The ISU College of Design was competitively selected from among top U.S. design institutions to host the technical assistance workshop, one of several the institute holds each year around the country to help mayors find solutions to critical planning and design challenges facing their cities. Iowa State brought in top design talent from across the U.S. and Iowa and created an opportunity for mayors to engage in problem-solving.

Iowa State and its partners developed a data-sharing system that enables data-driven decisions to better serve young children and their families — an advance that has garnered national attention as a model for other states. Iowa State faculty lead I2D2, a highly secure, cross-program data-sharing system. With a team of ISU data experts working with seven state departments and Head Start programs, I2D2 has made possible successes that include improving early childhood services and opening substance use recovery centers in four Iowa cities. In a national report, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services highlighted I2D2 as an example of a data sharing initiative for other local and state governments.

Thanks to trailblazing Iowa State research, Iowa was the first state to apply a new ultra-high performance concrete to bridge construction. The material, tested at ISU for nearly two decades, is significantly more durable than concrete and can extend a bridge’s life to 75 years and beyond. Now, Iowa State engineers are testing the use of sprayable or pumpable ultra-high performance concrete to potentially reduce bridge construction from months to days — and as a tool to repair and rehabilitate bridges. The researchers are collaborating with Iowa and California state transportation departments. The California partners are especially interested to learn from ISU how the concrete is able to withstand natural disasters.

When Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation for a Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, the chief proponent behind that special order was Iowa State staff member Debbie Roberts. Roberts, who self identifies as a congenital amputee, is one of an estimated 2 million Americans living with a limb loss or limb difference. Roberts has worked for years to raise awareness and improve understanding of limb loss and limb difference.

Iowa State engineers lead a team that’s developing cybersecurity systems that prevent, detect and mitigate attacks on renewable sources sending power to the grid. The U.S. Department of Energy, which has invested $2 million in the project, believes cutting-edge cybersecurity technology will keep the U.S. at the forefront of global innovation and protect America’s power grid in the face of increasing cyberthreats from abroad.