UNDERSTANDING THE PANDEMIC'S IMPACTS
The University of Utah community has mobilized enormous efforts towards understanding the nature of the novel coronavirus and its impact on society. Investigators from nearly every discipline are leading COVID-19-related projects to study the virus from all angles—from clinical and vaccine trials and therapy and technology development, to digging into the societal and economic implications.
The flash flood-like emergence of COVID-19 has shined a spotlight on the University of Utah Health’s Immunology, Inflammation, and Infectious Disease (3i) initiative that brings scientists from diverse backgrounds together to conduct research in these fields. With 3i in place, the U and partners were able to quickly leverage our strengths to answer the most pressing questions about COVID-19.
Within weeks of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, University of Utah researchers rose to the occasion, using their expertise to find answers to the disease and its wide-ranging impacts. Today, almost 200 investigators from nearly every discipline are leading 136 COVID-19-related projects to study the virus from all angles—from testing and vaccine trials to its impact on vulnerable communities and on rates of domestic violence.
RESEARCH BY THE NUMBERS

130+
research projects

$1.3M
in seed funding

$26M
in external funding

100+
academic publications
LIFE CHANGING RESEARCH
Not only are our researchers an important part of the international response to the pandemic, but as Utahns, they are devoted to helping our neighbors and economy to recover. As experts, they are working to support and inform both national and state policy. As researchers, they are innovating solutions to alleviate burden on vulnerable populations and rebound our community. Together, we’ll come out stronger on the other side.
COVID-19 SEED GRANTS

Data Science and Genomic Medicine
Projects that aim to make better predictions of COVID-19, and engage cutting edge methods across artificial intelligence, genetics, and mathematical modeling.

Environmental Impact and Minimizing Exposure
Projects that aim to understand how our actions are impacting the environment, and how to minimize exposure to COVID-19 across settings.

Health Impacts Across Populations
Projects investigating the different ways that COVID-19 impacts people from different communities.

Mental Health and the Brain
Projects that explore neurological impacts and how people are psychologically adjusting to the disruptions in everyday life.

Social Impact and
Policy
Projects seeking to understand how to better protect and prepare people from the unintended consequences of efforts to reduce exposure to COVID-19.

Testing and Treating COVID-19
Projects that aim to find better tests, treatments, and a cure for COVID-19.
COVID-19 RESEARCH NEWS
A SAMPLING OF STORIES ABOUT HOW OUR RESEARCH IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Utah’s young population contributes to relatively low COVID-19 death rate
Research from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute shows Utah’s relatively young population is contributing […]
Read MoreDeveloping a device to detect COVID-19
In May, engineering professor Massood Tabib-Azar began developing a standalone device that can be connected […]
Read MoreCOVID-19 and the metropolis
Many have assumed that densely populated areas like city centers are more conducive to the […]
Read MoreThe U leads national study of COVID-19 effects on pregnancy
A University of Utah Health researcher is leading a nationwide study of the effects of […]
Read More