Research
Be at the center of extraordinary breakthroughs.
Uncovering the story of America’s first settlement. Analyzing cybersecurity’s role in national security. Working throughout the Gulf of Mexico to mitigate one of the worst oil spills in our country’s history. These are a few of the many research opportunities unique to the University of West Florida.
At UWF, research is our way of putting our mind, power and resources to work for the region. Here, scholars, students, business leaders, community members and government experts collaborate on real-world problems. We believe big ideas can become even bigger solutions to local, regional, state and global issues.
Push through limits with us so that we can all move into a brighter future together.
Undergraduate Research
As an undergraduate at UWF, you will conduct research reserved for grad students at other universities. Our Explorers Program pairs you with research faculty according to your interests. We provide dozens of project awards each year to fund your research. We grant 150+ travel awards per year to present that research at national conferences. You can even get paid to conduct research with our Federal Work-Study research assistantships.
UWF study of suicide and opioid death rates in US pinpoints geographical areas of concern
An analysis by a University of West Florida team identified areas in the contiguous United States where suicide and opioid death rates are high and where the deaths overlap.
UWF professor partners with BIOPAC to develop early Alzheimer’s detection device
Dr. James Arruda, professor in the University of West Florida Department of Psychology, recently signed a consulting and licensing agreement with California-based company, BIOPAC Systems Inc., to collaborate on the development of a device that could be instrumental in the early detection of Alzheimer’s.
Student Scholars Symposium & Faculty Research Showcase
Each spring, we host a symposium to highlight scholarly and creative works produced through collaboration between students and faculty.
Research Support and Resources
In classwork, there are usually just a few set ways to do things. In the lab, when you are presented with a problem, you are not given any steps or sets of directions. It brings creativity into the normally rigid scientific process.
It never crossed my mind that I could travel to the Antarctic and look at interactions among organisms in an extreme environment. I’ve spent a lot of time working with samples from the previous trip, and now I’ll be on the other side—gathering samples, studying growth rates and analyzing what we collect.
Research News
University of West Florida welcomes new associate vice president of research administration and engagement
The University of West Florida announces Dr. Jerry Lin as the new associate vice president of research administration and engagement, effective January 6, 2025. In this position, Lin will lead the department’s work with faculty, students and staff to cultivate, develop and preserve the highest quality research, scholarship and creative activities, affirming UWF’s place as a leader in higher education research.
Four UWF faculty members ranked among world’s Top 2% of Scientists
Four University of West Florida researchers earned a place on Stanford/Elsevier's Top 2% Scientist Rankings lists in 2024 and 2023. The prestigious list identifies the world's leading researchers, representing approximately 2% of all scientists worldwide.
UWF student studies brain signals in individuals with ADHD and autism
A UWF Usha Kundu, MD College of Health student is taking a look at how people with autism or ADHD process sensory information compared to neurotypical people, or individuals without ADHD or autism, to get a better understanding of their sensitivities to stimuli.