Revisit the top 10 Boise State research stories of 2025

Boise State University achieved remarkable milestones in 2025, securing first-of-its-kind funding and advancing research across multiple disciplines. Here are the top ten research stories that demonstrate the university's growing impact on Idaho and beyond.

Top 10 stories

1. Historic $7.4 Million NSF Award Creates Semiconductor Workforce Center

Boise State received the largest National Science Foundation award in university history to establish the AWESOME Center (Center for Advancing Workforce Experience through Semiconductors, Outreach, and Mentoring Excellence). This $7.4 million grant will transform semiconductor education and research in Idaho, providing students with unprecedented opportunities to enter the rapidly growing industry. The center unites education, research, and mentorship to prepare the next generation of engineers while strengthening Idaho's position in the national semiconductor ecosystem.

2. Four Institutions Unite for $10.7 Million Health Research Initiative

Boise State partnered with Idaho State University, University of Idaho, and the Boise Veterans Affairs Medical Center to form the Healthy Idaho Clinical and Translational Research Development Program. This five-year, $10.7 million NIH grant addresses Idaho's unique challenges as a state without a public medical school. The program will build research infrastructure, develop the clinical research workforce, and tackle health disparities between rural and urban populations across Idaho.

3. Two Faculty Receive Highest U.S. Scientific Honor

Geosciences Associate Professor Ellyn Enderlin and Materials Science Professor Dave Estrada became the first Boise State faculty members to receive the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor bestowed upon scientists and engineers early in their careers by the U.S. government. Enderlin studies how climate change impacts glaciers and the cryosphere, while Estrada collaborates with NASA on in-space electronics manufacturing for the International Space Station and Artemis missions.

4. Breakthrough Closed-Loop Plastic Polymer Commercialized

Professor Scott Phillips from the Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering achieved a major milestone when his revolutionary closed-loop recyclable plastic polymer was licensed by Avery Dennison, a multinational materials company. After 15 years of research, Phillips developed a stable polyacetal that can be completely depolymerized back to its starting material, offering a true solution to the plastic recycling crisis. The technology, which remains stable at room temperature unlike previous attempts, could replace traditional non-recyclable plastics in packaging and other applications.

5. Uncovering the Truth About Cheatgrass

Biology Professor Stephen Novak has spent decades studying cheatgrass, the invasive weed that has transformed Western rangelands and fuels devastating wildfires. His research traces how this plant accidentally arrived in the U.S. in the early 1800s through contaminated grain shipments and spread via canals and railroads. Today, cheatgrass costs Idaho millions in fire suppression, habitat restoration, and agricultural losses. Novak's ongoing genetic research seeks to identify the plant's vulnerabilities and develop targeted biological controls.

6. K-12 Educators Empowered Through Semiconductor Education Grant

Boise State and the University of Rochester received a $2.1 million grant from the National Science Foundation and Micron Foundation to prepare K-12 STEM teachers as leaders in the semiconductor and microelectronics industries. The five-year initiative will train 20 teachers (10 in Idaho and 10 in New York) to develop curricula, provide professional development, and foster partnerships that inspire students to pursue careers in these critical industries. The program addresses workforce development needs as both states see major semiconductor manufacturing investments.

7. Strategic Partnership With Idaho National Laboratory

Boise State signed a five-year Strategic Understanding for Premier Education and Research (SUPER) Agreement with Idaho National Laboratory, with professors Ira Burton and Dave Estrada leading the collaboration. The partnership focuses on advanced materials and manufacturing for extreme environments, and secure, resilient energy systems. This framework will accelerate innovation in nuclear energy, cybersecurity, and materials research while providing students with access to world-class facilities and expertise.

8. Undergraduate Research Showcase Shatters Records

Boise State's spring Undergraduate Research Showcase achieved unprecedented participation with 239 presentations representing 600 student collaborators-an increase of nearly 100 presentations from the previous year. The April 15 event in the Student Union Building featured research across all disciplines, from drowsy driving safety studies to sustainable spending patterns. Additionally, 88 graduating seniors received EURECA cords for completing 135 hours of research experiences, demonstrating the university's commitment to involving undergraduates in meaningful scholarly work.

9. Machine Learning Identifies Wildfire Ignition Sources

Doctoral student Yavar Pourmohamad developed a groundbreaking machine learning model that can predict the causes of wildfires with unknown ignition sources. Working with Civil Engineering faculty member Mojtaba Sadegh, Pourmohamad's model achieved 93% accuracy in separating natural versus human-caused fires and 55% accuracy in discriminating among 11 classes of human-ignited wildfires. The research, published in January 2025, attributed unknown fires primarily to equipment and vehicle use (21%), lightning (20%), and arson (18%). The team also created a web application that visualizes fire incidents from 1992-2020, helping authorities develop better prevention policies.

10. Debunking the Myth of Secret Tunnels Under Boise

In the popular "Questions by Kids" series, History Lecturer Emily Fritchman addressed a persistent Idaho legend: the supposed network of underground Chinese tunnels beneath Boise. Despite decades of rumors dating back to the 1940s, Fritchman's research confirms no evidence exists for these tunnels. The myth arose during a period when Chinese immigrants comprised a quarter of Idaho's population in the mid-1800s, working on railroads, in mines, and developing farmland. Anti-Asian sentiment and the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 contributed to harmful stereotypes. While functional tunnels exist under the Capitol Mall and other downtown buildings, the supposed Chinese tunnels remain only legend.

Looking ahead

These achievements represent just a fraction of Boise State's research enterprise, which exceeded $70 million in awards during 2025. From advancing semiconductor technology to addressing health disparities and environmental challenges, Boise State continues its trajectory toward Carnegie R1 research status while maintaining its commitment to student success and community impact. As the university celebrates two PECASE awards, record undergraduate research participation, and groundbreaking partnerships, it solidifies its position as a rising research powerhouse serving Idaho and the nation. Stay connected and follow along at boisestate.edu/research.

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