Illinois is home to some of the most innovative, impactful research in the world—and each year, we spotlight 12 outstanding faculty who are shaping the future. Welcome to the 2025 edition of Researchers to Know.
Researchers to Know is an annual recognition from the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (ISTC) that honors faculty from Illinois universities and research institutions whose work is driving discovery, solving real-world problems, and creating inclusive opportunities for innovation.
These 12 researchers represent diverse disciplines—from AI and biosensing to public health, neuroscience, sustainability, and global development. Each is forging powerful connections across science, society, and policy.
This year’s theme: “What’s Next in Innovation?”
The 2025 honorees offer a window into the next decade of transformative ideas—and how Illinois research is laying the foundation for what’s to come.
PAST EDITIONS
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We’re celebrating groundbreaking research happening across Illinois—
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