Research for the Common Good
Life-Changing Research
At UMass Amherst, you’ll find a community of researchers committed to driving progress for society, whether discovering life-saving medical treatments, protecting our natural environment, or developing advanced technologies. Learn more about UMass Amherst’s life-changing research, and explore what you can do as part of this incredible community of knowledge seekers.
Keep up with the latest in research and innovation from UMass Amherst through our quarterly REVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH e-newsletter.
Across the UMass Amherst campus, researchers are working to improve health—for individuals, communities, and the planet. With an eye toward equity, they are devising innovative solutions to major public health challenges.
As a land grant research university and a global leader in food science, UMass Amherst is helping to protect our natural environment and paving the way to a healthy and sustainable food future for people around the world.
As the pace of technological advancement accelerates exponentially, UMass Amherst researchers across diverse disciplines are working to stay ahead of the curve. They are developing the next generation of software and hardware; harnessing technology to probe vital scientific questions; and exploring the effects of technology on our society and ourselves.
For decades, UMass Amherst has been on the leading edge of research to pave the way from a fossil fuel-based economy to a clean energy economy by advancing technological innovation, energy policy and economics, and environmental justice.
UMass Amherst researchers across disciplines study critical societal topics, often working hand-in-hand with community organizations to ensure the relevance of the research questions they investigate. Their research sheds light on social, cultural, racial, political, and economic issues with real-world consequences.
Research in Action
Explore how UMass Amherst is helping to create a brighter future through research and innovation with real-world impact.
Our Reach
public research university in New England, non-medical school R&D expenditures
R&D expenditures (FY24)
research centers
in awards from private industry (FY25)
active patents
industry research partnerships annually
UMass scientists are working to engineer a fast-growing plant, Camelina sativa, to enhance its superpowers, allowing it to absorb trace amounts of the critical mineral nickel from the soil. The goal: plants that clean contaminated soil while accumulating nickel that can be harvested for use in electric vehicles and renewable energy.
Breakthrough Discoveries
At UMass Amherst, research isn’t locked in labs or limited to theory. It’s leading to discoveries that make a difference in the lives of real people.
UMass Amherst researchers are ushering in the future of cancer prevention with a nanoparticle-based vaccine that they’ve demonstrated effectively prevents melanoma, pancreatic, and triple-negative breast cancer in mice.
Electrical and computer engineer Qiangfei Xia is developing next-generation “memristor”-based technology with the potential to advance AI while dramatically reducing energy usage and costs.
A team of recent UMass Amherst graduates is developing groundbreaking kinetic energy-harvesting technology to charge smartwatches without being removed from the body.
Supercharge Your Learning Through Research
At UMass Amherst, you’ll not only study with world-class faculty researchers, but you can take your learning to the next level by working alongside them. There are ample opportunities for undergrads and grad students alike to contribute to impactful research.
