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Illinois' flagship public university, a world leader in research, teaching and public engagement.

Illinois is a world leader in research, teaching and public engagement. We're distinguished by the breadth of our programs, broad academic excellence and internationally renowned faculty.

10/28/2026

A new wheelchair design helped bring wheelchair rugby to Armenia for the first time.

researchers traveled to Yerevan with 10 kirigami-inspired rugby wheelchairs designed to make adaptive sports equipment easier to customize, assemble, and access. After the chairs cleared customs just hours before the event, the team assembled and fitted them to eight athletes who then took the court for Armenia’s first-ever wheelchair rugby game. The wheelchairs remained in Armenia after the team returned home, with the hope that they will help grow the sport and expand opportunities for athletes with disabilities. ▶️ https://go.illinois.edu/wheelchairrugby

10/27/2026

Pumpkin spice? We prefer pumpkin orange and Illini blue. 🎃🧡💙

10/27/2026

For millions of people living with HIV, antiretroviral medications have been lifesaving. But long-term use can also bring unexpected complications, including weight gain, fat loss or buildup in various body parts, and inflammation around vital organs.

med researchers are working to uncover why.

Led by biological and translational sciences professor and department head Bruce Bunnell, the $4.16 million NIH grant-funded study will investigate how long-term use of HIV medications affects fat tissue and how those changes may contribute to conditions including diabetes, heart disease, and chronic inflammation.

The goal is to better understand what’s happening at the cellular level so clinicians can develop safer treatments for people living with HIV, improved prevention therapies, and new approaches to inflammatory conditions associated with aging.

“Insights gained here will inform regenerative-medicine strategies well beyond HIV care," Bunnell said.

Read more about this research ▶️ https://go.illinois.edu/HIVDrugsBodyFatLink

10/26/2026

Many of us know Frankenstein through countless films, TV adaptations, and pop culture references that portray the creature as a monster with bolts in his neck and not much to say other than grunting.

A new exhibit at ’ Rare Book and Manuscript Library invites visitors to look beyond the familiar monster and discover "Frankenstein" as Mary Shelley wrote it – a novel shaped by science, literature, religion, climate change, and many literary traditions.

The exhibit, which runs through May 2027 at the University Library, features a first edition of "Frankenstein," acquired by the library in 2022, alongside materials exploring Shelley’s life, influences, and the many ways her story has been reimagined.

“My hope is that folks who aren’t as familiar with 'Frankenstein,' how it came into being, and what it’s about will learn a little bit more about it and a little bit more about Shelley, just as I did when putting together this exhibition,” said Lynne M. Thomas, head of RBML and the exhibit’s curator.

Read more about the exhibit ▶️ https://go.illinois.edu/FrankensteinExhibit

10/24/2026

While completing his pediatric oncology fellowship at the University of Michigan, alumnus Dr. Carl Koschmann met Vara, a young girl battling cancer.

After treatment left Vara with numbness and tingling in her hands, weakness in her upper arms and extremities, and a loss of physical confidence, Koschmann – now a neuro-oncologist – had an idea for addressing those issues: rock climbing.

What began with Vara and a few families meeting at a climbing gym grew into Rock Cancer, a nonprofit helping young cancer patients and those with a history of cancer build strength, confidence, and community through climbing. Today, the program reaches participants as far away as Prague.

“The benefits went beyond the physical activity,” said Emily Gordon, Vara’s mother. “Rock climbing helps Vara and the other participants build confidence, set goals, and experience a sense of progress during a difficult time.”

Read more about Koschmann’s start at Illinois, his current research, and Rock Cancer ▶️ https://go.illinois.edu/RockCancer

10/23/2026

A semester full of new experiences, new memories, and plenty to share back home. We asked our Illini what they’d say to someone they love, and their messages are a reminder that no matter how far they go, home is never far from heart. 🧡

10/22/2026

Scientists at used machine learning and super-resolution microscopy to uncover subtle differences in grass pollen that are difficult to detect with standard microscopy. The method allowed researchers to estimate grass diversity in ancient pollen samples and distinguish between C3 and C4 grasses. Applied to a 25,000-year pollen record from Mt. Kenya, the approach revealed changes in grass diversity over time. The work could help researchers more efficiently study the evolution and history of grasslands. ▶️ https://go.illinois.edu/historyofgrasses

10/21/2026

Founders Week 2026 brought together students, faculty, alumni, and entrepreneurs from across the country and around the world to celebrate innovation and strengthen Illinois’ entrepreneurial ecosystem. Over six days, attendees connected through networking, panel discussions, fireside chats, and the TechRise Startup Pitch Competition, won by Voysses. Chancellor Charles Isbell joined a fireside chat on the role of a public university in advancing entrepreneurship. The momentum continues as works to build a more connected ecosystem that helps turn ideas into real-world impact. ▶️ https://go.illinois.edu/FoundersWeekrecap2026

10/20/2026

Traditional weight-loss treatments, including surgery and GLP-1 medications, carry risks.

researchers are exploring a different approach to tackling obesity. Bioengineering postdoctoral researcher Natalia Gonzalez Medina and bioengineering professor Andrew Smith developed a nanoparticle-based therapy designed to deliver an anti-inflammatory drug directly to fatty tissue, helping the body burn fat rather than suppressing appetite. The treatment led to a 20 percent body weight loss in mice without changes in food intake.

The research is still experimental, but it could open new doors for targeted obesity treatments and other therapies.

Read more about this research ▶️ https://go.illinois.edu/WeightLossApproach

10/19/2026

Big recognition for research. 🧡💙 Kaiyu Guan, the Levenick Professor of Sustainability at Illinois, and Illinois alum Liangfang Zhang have been named 2026 MacArthur Fellows, receiving the prestigious “genius grant.” Guan’s research combines field and satellite observations, AI, and supercomputing to advance a predictive science of agriculture. The fellowship includes an unrestricted $800,000 stipend to support their work. ▶️ https://go.illinois.edu/2026MacArthurFellows

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