Illinois Featured Content

Graduate student Andrew Janiszeski with an antenna used to receive data from weather balloons. (Photo provided.)

The launching of the blizzard balloons

Feb 18, 2022 9:15 am

Two graduate students were tasked with launching weather balloons in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in the midst of a Nor’easter that was delivering 60 mph winds and 20 inches of snow to the region to help NASA research snowstorms.

A decoder wheel is one of the tools the players use in the escape room. Photo by Fred Zwicky

Creating an escape room experience at KCPA

Dec 10, 2021 8:00 am

Theatre students developed the story, characters and script. Students in an informatics course developed, manufactured and now are operating the escape room puzzles, including the hardware and programming of small board electronics.

Nancy and Sumanth Viswanathan stand in the kitchen of their new home, ADAPTHAUS, built by U of I students for the D.O.D.'s Solar Decathalon competition

ADAPTHAUS: A sustainable home for the holidays

Dec 3, 2021 9:00 am

Nancy and Sumanth Viswanathan fell in love with ADAPTHAUS, a solar-powered, adaptive home built by University of Illinois students that won fourth place in the recent Department of Energy Solar Decathlon competition.

Students learn about audio tools in the Illinois Student Newsroom at IPM. (Photos by Isabella Pennebaker, photography intern.)

Journalism students train alongside professionals in new campus collaboration

Nov 17, 2021 11:15 am

'Illinois Public Media is an ideal space for students to gain experience working in the field, while receiving personal guidance from journalists, and producing content for a professional media organization,' said journalism head Stephanie Craft.

student researcher Elizabeth Spurlock in a still photo captured from a linked video

Student researcher, veterans work together to study brain health

Nov 11, 2021 1:00 pm

'Veterans Day is a great day to say not just 'thank you,' but to reflect upon how you yourself can be of service to the veterans in your community,' says student researcher Elizabeth Spurlock.

Illinois journeys: The future is bright

Sep 15, 2021 9:30 am

As a senior in high school, Michael watched his older brother experience life at Illinois and knew it was the place for him, too

Driving partnership between Siebel Center for Design and Illini Solar Car

Sep 15, 2021 9:15 am

The Siebel Center for Design is sharing what the new, human-centered design space can offer its occupants and visitors.

student's pillsafe prototype beside Health Make-a-Thon winner's medallion

Health Make-A-Thon winner targets opioid addiction prevention with new device

Sep 1, 2021 12:00 pm

Ariana Alam Mizan won the September 2020 Health Make-a-Thon. Her award-winning pill bottle cap design is now taking shape in the Health Maker Lab at Carle Illinois.

student works on laptop. Photo by Brian Stauffer

Students' technology resource guide for Fall

Aug 18, 2021 9:15 am

Welcome to the University of Illinois! Technology Services is here to connect you to the technology resources you need.

Mittal poses beside a portrait of Arnold and Mabel Beckman, two of the many mentors who provided inspiration throughout her Ph.D. program.

Shachi Mittal's moment of inspiration

Aug 3, 2021 9:00 am

Heading to the University of Washington for her first professorship, the former Beckman Institute Postdoctoral Fellow reflects on her eight-year research career and pinpoints her own 'moment of inspiration.'

Fisk undergraduate students (L-R) Skye Faucher, Jaia Holleman, and Leiana-Lavette Woodard participated in summer training workshops at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. No photo credits available.

Program eases path to PhDs for those underrepresented in quantitative biology

Jul 9, 2021 9:00 am

A bridge program streamlining a path from a master’s degree at Fisk University, a historically Black university in Nashville, to a doctoral degree at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, has received an NIH training grant.

Grace Maloney is among nine University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students and recent graduates offered an opportunity to pursue international education, research and teaching experiences via Fulbright grants. Photo by Cameron Kagel

Nine Illinois students, recent graduates offered Fulbright grants

Jun 14, 2021 4:45 pm

Nine U of I students and recent graduates have been offered Fulbright grants to pursue international education, research and teaching experiences around the globe this coming year.

Lessons learned from starting a teaching career in a pandemic

Jun 2, 2021 9:30 am

2020 Elementary Education graduates began their teaching careers during this most unusual, pandemic-affected school year. Six spoke with Lynn Burdick, ElEd program coordinator about the ups and downs of their first-year experience.

Special COVID-19 research category winner by grad student Charles Chen

Beckman Institute Research Image Contest winners

May 28, 2021 10:45 am

'Every year, I’m amazed at the quality of both the research being conducted, and the beautiful images that result,' said Beckman Institute Director Jeff Moore. This year’s contest included a special category on COVID-19-related research.

Illinois students, recent graduates receive foreign language scholarships

May 28, 2021 9:00 am

'It is telling that U of I recipients of these language scholarships hail from three different colleges on campus, a real testament to the international opportunities available to students from myriad disciplines.'

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Main Quad

U of I featured on The College Tour. Watch it now

May 20, 2021 9:00 am

Featuring 11 Illinois students who will inspire you as they share what they love about the U of I, from a freshman blown away by undergraduate research opportunities to graduating seniors sharing how they carved a path to their dream jobs.

A released big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus, clings to a tree. Photo by Sarah Gaulke

Catching bats for conservation

May 18, 2021 11:00 am

'With all the intimidation and preparation leading up to this night, I had built the bats up to be something dramatic – even fearsome – in my mind, but sitting there in my hand, the bats are smaller and sweeter than I anticipated. They are fuzzy.'

Alma Mater statue dressed in cap and gown

Celebrating our graduates!

May 10, 2021 9:30 am

We are eager to celebrate you and your accomplishmentswith an in-person Stage Crossing experience and Online Commencement Celebration.

girl sits at white desk in a white room looking at a laptop. Photo by L. B. Stauffer

U of I to host virtual summer camp for high schoolers diagnosed with autism

May 5, 2021 12:45 pm

Illinois high school students who were diagnosed with autism and are considering attending the U of I can explore college life and hear the experiences of current students in a new virtual summer camp called I Ready.

Undergraduate Research Week, April 26-May 1

Apr 19, 2021 8:45 am

Undergraduate Research Week showcases the best of undergraduate research and creative inquiry at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

The Bluetooth Gramophone 2.0 speaker shown in publicity photo. Photo courtesy Gramovox LLC

Grammy Awards finds MBA student’s retro gramophone pitch perfect

Mar 17, 2021 9:30 am

Entrepreneur Anthony Vitale used lessons learned at Illinois to capture the interest of the producers of this year’s Grammy Awards. The Gramophone 2.0 was the star of each presenter’s dressing room, customized to play their music.

grinning graduate in regalia holds up her degree. Photo by Fred Zwicky

Stage-crossing experience offered to 2020, 2021 graduates

Mar 9, 2021 10:15 am

The stage crossing will be an individual procession specific to each graduate. Graduates can register for a time slot (May 10 - 17). Two guests will be allowed to accompany each graduate as they cross a stage.

Sophia Byrd, a University of Illinois senior studying lyric theatre, performed in the oratorio “Place,” nominated for two Grammy Awards. photo by Christian Flaherty

Illinois music student part of Grammy-nominated ensemble

Mar 5, 2021 9:30 am

The opportunity for Sophia Byrd to sing in a professional oratorio as a college freshman changed the course of her music education at U of I. It also led to two Grammy nominations for Byrd before she has finished college.

Undergrad's TikTok stardom: From classroom practice to influencer status

Feb 17, 2021 10:00 am

Sierra Reed says studying advertising at Illinois actually helps her understand how to use TikTok. She’s learned how to measure engagement and target videos to her audience - which isn't exactly the audience she imagined.

Business Instructional Facility (BIF) at night

Gies Business's Disruption Lab drives innovation for students, corporate partners

Jan 27, 2021 10:30 am

'Emerging technology, social activism, political instability and health outbreaks are all changing the way business is being done. The Disruption Lab will...teach (students and corporate partners) how to leverage these factors for future success.'

stock image of chaplain and hospital staff attending to a patient

Public health training gives hospital chaplain a different perspective

Jan 21, 2021 11:00 am

Chaplains additionally serve as a kind of go-between for hospital staff, patients, and families. The idea is that if chaplains were more research literate, they would be better able to guide and evaluate and advocate for their profession.

Art professor Chiara Vincenzi uses Komodo, a virtual reality program being developed by the IDEA Lab at Illinois, to offer critiques of dress designs created by her students. Image courtesy CITL Virtual Design Lab

Virtual reality provides new tool for fashion design class

Dec 21, 2020 12:15 pm

'(Virtual reality) is very suitable for the first stage of ideation of a fashion garment. Students can go around the mannequin and explore shape, colors, texture and different silhouettes,' says Art & Design Professor Chiara Vincenzi.

1. Working in an epidemiology laboratory and the COVID-19 pandemic have taught undergraduate student Rachel Lupas about managing infectious disease.

Adjusting to these 'ever-changing times'

Nov 25, 2020 10:15 am

'My training in this lab makes me more conscious of the proper ways to deal with infectious biological material, an invaluable benefit during COVID-19.'

Charlie Bauer plays Daddy Ubu and Nathan Ramsey plays Banquo. Photo by Darrell Hoemann

Theatre department films political satire with COVID-19 safety changes

Nov 23, 2020 12:00 pm

They were entering final rehearsals when COVID restrictions started. 'The set was still up, the lights were hung and the costumes were made,' says director Lisa Dixon. But now they needed to stage it safely, and present it to an audience.

Collin Carlier, CEO Royse & Brinkmeyer, Megan Dailey, director of MFST, and Maggie Furr, junior, crop sciences outside an apartment complex included in the project.

Metropolitan farming offers surprise opportunities for U of I junior

Oct 28, 2020 10:30 am

'Since joining this project, I’ve seen a lot more articles about different types of urban farms and a lot more opportunities in this area than I ever imagined,' ACES junior Maggie Furr says.

Alexis Perezchica, Student Body President

Meet student government president Alexis Perezchica

Sep 30, 2020 10:45 am

Alexis discusses her election experience, what makes ISG so important, and her journey through college as a first-generation student.

Graduate students adapt to internships

Aug 25, 2020 2:30 pm

Eleven students in the College of Applied Health Sciences spoke of perseverance, patience and making the most of their revamped opportunities.

Outreach and public engagement coordinator Lara Hebert, left, postdoctoral research associate Gabriel Burks, and bioengineering professor Jennifer Amos (shown on laptop screen, right), developed a virtual summer camp that gave about 500 high school students across the U.S. the opportunity to sample 12 engineering disciplines. Photo illustration by Fred Zwicky

Students use TikTok to learn about biomechanics in virtual summer camps

Aug 13, 2020 1:15 pm

Researchers developed a virtual summer camp that gave about 500 high school students across the U.S. the opportunity to sample 12 engineering disciplines.

signs outside the Illini Union display safety messages - wear a mask, socially distance, wash your hands

Students' first steps back to campus life

Aug 12, 2020 10:00 am

Everyone on our campus has to do their part to keep our community steps, from planning your move-in to testing immediately upon arrival and picking up your PPE kit.

Illinois students pursue internships in the wake of COVID-19

Jun 26, 2020 8:00 am

Brendan Ross, a senior in recreation, sport and tourism, is working remotely through the inaugural Illini RST Undergraduate Consulting program.

Ty Weber on the pitcher's mound for the Fighting Illini

Illini pitcher Ty Weber talks signing with MLB Giants despite pandemic shutdown

Jun 18, 2020 9:30 am

'COVID has really taught me to live in the moment more often and not try to plan everything out. I've thought about potentially getting into coaching after (MLB), but as of now I’m just very focused on improving my baseball skills every day.'

student wears a mask fabricated especially for those with spinal cord injuries

Illini students making masks for people with spinal cord injuries

May 21, 2020 3:15 pm

People with spinal cord injuries have above-average risk in the COVID-19 pandemic due to the prevalence of comorbidities, and obtaining effective masks for people with SCI has proven challenging.

Virtual exhibitions highlight art and design graduates

May 14, 2020 9:30 am

Students graduating from the School of Art and Design are exhibiting their work online this spring rather than in galleries at Krannert Art Museum.

Ming Kuo's class meets online - screen capture

Bad-science busters shift keen minds to COVID-19

May 13, 2020 10:45 am

As the class went online, they carefully waded into the maelstrom surrounding COVID-19, weighing the science-based merits of each claim and counterclaim. To date, they’ve examined almost a dozen COVID-19-related issues.

#ILLINOIS2020 Outstanding Graduates: Elizabeth Murphy

May 12, 2020 8:45 am

'I worked closely with her...learning lab techniques, scientific writing and presentation skills. My mentor’s patience and willingness to teach enabled me to gain the confidence to pursue a career in chemistry.'

#ILLINOIS2020 Outstanding Students: Barry Chiang

May 11, 2020 11:00 am

Barry Chiang was mesmerized by nature and the night sky while growing up in Taiwan. He is devoted to deciphering the simplicity and beauty of the universe through both science and music.

Andrew Nagolski stands beside a mocrowave telescope in Antarctica

#ILLINOIS2020 Outstanding Students: Andrew Nadolski

May 11, 2020 11:00 am

Nadolski focused on the design of a special coating for ceramic lenses used in microwave telescopes. He had the chance to deploy his knowledge during several trips to Antarctica, including one for 11 months in 2017.

#ILLINOIS2020 Outstanding Graduates: Emma Taylor

May 8, 2020 2:15 pm

Emma Taylor’s introduction to the jazz program at the University of Illinois came through a jam session at the Iron Post, a downtown Urbana live music venue.

#ILLINOIS2020 Outstanding Graduates: Emily Martin

May 8, 2020 1:45 pm

Emily Martin is a fourth-generation Illini. Although she followed the footsteps of her family members, she paved her own unique path at Illinois.

#ILLINOIS2020 Outstanding Graduates: Prince Boadi

May 6, 2020 4:30 pm

Prince Boadi is the first in his family to attend college, and he isn’t finished yet. He has already been accepted to 10 medical schools.

Erick Klein outside the Chez Veterans Center at Illinois

#ILLINOIS2020 Outstanding Graduates: Erick Klein

May 6, 2020 9:00 am

Erick Klein knew in high school he wanted to go to the U. of I. But Klein had other things to do first: join the navy, train as a corpsman (medic), serve in Afghanistan and then work two years at a base hospital in the U.S.

#ILLINOIS2020 Outstanding Graduates: Catherine Applegate

May 4, 2020 11:15 am

When Catherine Applegate began her graduate research into the effects of diet on cancer, she had no idea that soon she would be experiencing cancer from a completely different perspective – as a patient.

ILLINOIS2020 Outstanding Graduates: Cynthia Estrada Diaz de Leon

May 4, 2020 11:15 am

For Cynthia Estrada Diaz de Leon, college has been a test of her skills in adapting to new environments – and a testament to her initiative in finding a way to make things happen.

Watch it now: 'Runs and Data: The Science of Illinois Baseball'

May 4, 2020 11:00 am

World-renowned baseball physicist Alan Nathan teams up with student Charlie Young to explore the evolving world of baseball physics, analytics in the new BTN documentary, 'Runs and Data: The Science of Illinois Baseball'.

aerial view of the Main Quad looking south

Interested in Illinois? Visit us virtually!

May 1, 2020 3:30 pm

Visit the U of I virtually through a YouTube series and a new VR experience that requires no gear.

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