University of Arizona BIO5 Institute

06/11/2026

BIO5 member Fernando Martinez and his team contributed to new University of Arizona research showing that a commonly used antibiotic did not improve symptoms in young children treated for wheezing in the emergency room.

"We've been saying for years that antibiotics should not be used in these acute situations because the wheezing is caused by viruses," said Martinez. "But clinicians still use antibiotics at least a quarter of the time in these young children."

Read the story: https://bit.ly/4uV0Wro

06/10/2026

As KEYS celebrates its 20th anniversary, we're excited to share a milestone that will help shape the next 20 years. 🎉

A generous gift from the Thomas R. Brown Foundations will permanently fund five KEYS Research Internship positions in the physical sciences, creating lasting opportunities for Arizona high school students to discover the excitement of research.

Here's to expanding access, inspiring curiosity and supporting the next generation of scientists. 🔬

06/10/2026

Check out this video featuring one of our 2025 BIO5 Postdoctoral Fellows Ben Yang explaining his research on metabolites: small molecules that help researchers better understand how living systems respond to their environment:

Science at Work is a new CALES video series that takes viewers behi...

06/09/2026

Interested in learning what a career in research can look like?

Join BIO5 for Inspiring Careers in Research, a hybrid event featuring an interdisciplinary panel of researchers who will discuss their career paths, challenges, opportunities and experiences across different stages of their professional journeys.

Attendees will gain insight into careers in research and science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields while connecting with researchers and fellow community members during a networking session following the panel.

Wednesday, July 1, 2026
5–7 p.m.
Grand Challenges Research Building, Room 130 & Zoom
University of Arizona
750 N. Cherry Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719

This event is open to students, educators, counselors, parents and anyone interested in pursuing a career in research.

Sponsored by Bayer Marana Innovation Center.

Register: https://bio5.org/events/bio5-inspiring-careers-research-2026

06/08/2026

BIO5 member Michael Grandner is leading new University of Arizona research supported by a $3.8 million National Institutes of Health grant exploring how being awake in the middle of the night may affect decision-making and su***de risk.

"Knowing that people are not at their best in the middle of the night really isn't groundbreaking – but until now the neuroscience of exactly what is happening has been a mystery," said Grander. "Hopefully, this study can help us better understand what is going on and point the way towards reducing those risks."

Read the story: https://bit.ly/3RkdJoQ

06/05/2026

BIO5 member Paloma Beamer is helping lead the 2026 National PFAS Conference from June 8-10 at the University of Arizona, bringing together researchers, regulators and community advocates to address “forever chemicals,” their health impacts and solutions for reducing exposure.

What sets the conference apart is the way it is built, according Beamer. The conference is unique in that it is planned as a collaboration between researchers and community members, and the research that will be presented will be directly relevant to the people who are impacted.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4ekWT1S

06/03/2026

BIO5 member Alexander Bucksch is part of a University of Arizona-led study that identified a previously unknown root cell in common beans that helps seedlings survive drought and nutrient-poor soils, offering insights that could support more climate-resilient crops and reduce fertilizer use.

"If you look at a biology textbook, for example, it often says seedlings spend their first couple of weeks living off stored reserves in the seed, but that's not quite true," Bucksch said. "We found these hooked hairs start taking up nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen from the soil much earlier."

Read more: https://bit.ly/43auS6S

06/01/2026

05/28/2026

BIO5 member Sairam Parthasarathy is leading a University of Arizona clinical trial funded by nearly $14 million to compare three widely used treatments for obstructive sleep apnea, with the goal of helping patients and physicians choose the most effective, patient-centered care.

"Sleep apnea can significantly affect quality of life and is costly to the workforce through lost productivity," said Parthasarathy, "Each of the three available therapies has benefits and downsides. Our goal is to understand which treatment works best for an individual patient."

Read more: https://bit.ly/4uM01cu