Research

A novel algorithm developed by University of Washington researchers to discover asteroids in the solar system has proved its mettle. The first candidate asteroids identified by the algorithm — known as Tracklet-less Heliocentric Orbit Recovery, or THOR — have been confirmed by the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center, according to a May 31 announcement by the B612 Foundation.

Ukraine's national language is Ukrainian, but many citizens grew up speaking Russian. Does that matter? Professor Laada Bilaniuk studies language and Ukrainian identity.

When Sam Wasser, professor of biology at the UW, was a young biologist studying baboons in Tanzania, he never imagined he would one day lead an international force cracking down on the smuggling of illegal goods, from elephant ivory to pangolins and timber. Yet fighting transnational criminal organizations is exactly what he’s doing today, all because of his passion for animals.

UW Drama professor Valerie Curtis-Newton (MFA, 1996), who will present the University Faculty Lecture on May 3, has been stirring up "good trouble" and courageously unmasking uncomfortable truths for decades. 

By some accounts, Seattle is among the most stressed and sleep-deprived metros in the nation, but let’s forget about that for a moment. New reports find Seattle, and Washington as a whole, rate high on the happiness scale. Milla Titova, assistant teaching professor of psychology at the UW, is quoted.

A new study by the University of Washington and Indiana University finds that the growing use of anti-racist terms shows how Black Lives Matter has shifted the conversation around racism, raising awareness of issues and laying the foundation for social change.

Marina Watowich, a doctoral student in biology, explains the results of a new study she authored on the effects of extreme weather events on ageing.

Generations of scientists have tried to identify biological predictors of violence. Professor Oliver Rollins has concerns about their research.

Mark Igra, a graduate student in sociology, co-authored a new study on GoFundMe requests for help with medical bills.

His knowledge of ancient languages led Andrew Glass (2006) to a specialized technology job at Microsoft. 

Applied Mathematics student Helena Liu and colleagues find answers to a neural networking mystery.

Through testimonios, graduate student Olivia Orosco explored the COVID experience of Latinx caregivers. 

Incoming faculty member Z Yan Wang has been named a Next Generation Leader by the Allen Institute. 

Industrial design professor Jason O. Germany was part of a team that designed a low-cost ventilator on short notice during the pandemic. 

UW will work with UCF and UHawai'i over the next three years to build STEM career pathways for underserved Hispanic, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students.