University of Tennessee, Knoxville

A research student smiles while holding a virtual reality headset.

The destination for exceptional researchers

Leaders at UT are identifying researchers of the highest caliber and inviting them to bring their work to campus in a bold and strategic approach to faculty recruitment. Drawn by the university’s reputation as a top research institution and its partnerships with neighboring industry leaders, these researchers now call UT home. 

Meet UT’s new researchers 

UT research is critical to providing real-life solutions for modern-day challenges. Partnerships with organizations like Kairos Power and Oak Ridge National Laboratory are helping to make East Tennessee a premier destination for discovery and innovation. 

The work done by UT faculty lights the way toward a better future, and exceptional researchers want to be a part of it. Leading researchers in areas from precision health to advanced computing to nuclear engineering are bringing their research, expertise, and mentorship to UT. 

Carolyn Anderson 

UT–ORNL Governor’s Chair for Nuclear Medicine: Radiopharmaceutical Therapies 

Anderson’s research revolves around the development of radiopharmaceutical therapy agents labeled with beta- and alpha-emitting radionuclides, with companion PET diagnostic agents. 

Laurent Capolungo 

Professor, Tickle College of Engineering 

Capolungo’s research includes computational modeling for advanced manufacturing and materials for nuclear energy and defense application. 

Shaundra Daily 

Professor, College of Communication and Information

Daily analyzes, designs, and builds sociotechnical systems—the interactions between people, technology, and social structures—to expand participation and achievement in STEM fields. 

Deep Jariwala 

UT–ORNL Governor’s Chair for Quantum Devices 

Jariwala studies new materials and devices made from these new materials that can be used to create chips for computing (including AI computing), sensing, and communications.

Kimberly Powell 

Associate Professor, College of Nursing 

Powell’s research covers topics including health data, telehealth, and text messaging applications specifically in aging populations. 

Orlando J. Rojas 

UT–ORNL Governor’s Chair for Circular Biomaterials 

Rojas’s research includes soft matter and sustainable materials. His work contributes to the development of new technical textiles and biomedical materials. 

Graham Thomas 

Professor and Center Director, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences 

Thomas’s research focuses on digital health technology, treatment optimization and delivery, and advanced analytics related to health behaviors regarding weight, eating, and physical activity. 

Jeffery Tomberlin 

Chancellor’s Excellence Professor, UT Institute of Agriculture 

Tomberlin’s pioneering research on black soldier flies is transforming the circular bioeconomy. His studies also advance forensic science, offering novel biological insights.

No. 7

in the nation for DOE funding (NSF Herd 2024) 

No. 9

in the nation for NEH fellowships (FY 2025) 

No. 7

in the nation among public institutions for innovation (FY 2026)

Transformative research starts with UT

The world-class researchers joining UT’s faculty reinforce the university’s long-term commitment to excellence in every field. As the state’s flagship land-grant institution, UT conducts research that benefits Tennesseans every day. That research footprint extends across the country and throughout the world, and these faculty want to be a part of the transformational innovation. 

Discover UT’s research strengths

A graduate student works in the Molecular Beam Epitaxy Core Facility for a research photo created on January 23, 2023. Photo by Steven Bridges/University of Tennessee.

Advancing quantum technology 

UT’s Knoxville Quantum Accelerator is advancing East Tennessee’s position as a leader in quantum technologies and systems, which will create tangible economic benefits for companies and communities across the state. K-Quantum supports UT’s ongoing work to develop powerful communication networks, medical imaging, ultra-precise sensing, and more.  

Learn more about K-Quantum

Addressing health disparities

UT faculty are leading research on complex health challenges that disproportionately affect Tennessee communities. This work includes the development of radiopharmaceuticals to treat cancer. 

Explore UT’s healthcare research initiatives

Madhu Dhar, research professor, explains her research to a student (Morgan Lawrence) in the Medical Device Innovation Core (MeDIC Lab) at the Center for Precision Health at Research Park at Cherokee Farm on March 03, 2026. Photo by Steven Bridges/University of Tennessee.
Doug Aaron and graduate student Preston Young use the Accelerating Rate Calorimeter (ARC) to test thermal runaway of lithium-ion batteries in a lab in Zeanah Engineering Complex

Accelerating rural economies

The BRIDGES Engine, a collaborative initiative that includes UT, is boosting rural economies across Tennessee and Alabama. BRIDGES is transforming underused farmland into launchpads for biobased innovation by growing perennial grasses that can be turned into automotive, construction, and packaging products.  

Read more about BRIDGES

These exceptional researchers are coming to UT because we are a national leader in innovation and discovery.” 

DONDE PLOWMAN
Chancellor
Explore UT’s new playbook for faculty hiring
Associate Professor of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences Hameeda Sultana explains research to comparative experimental medicine PhD students in the Vector-borne Disease and Microbiology Lab at the College of Veterinary Medicine on January 30, 2025. Photo by Steven Bridges/University of Tennessee.
Assistant Professor Hao Gan and PhD student McKensie Nelms work with a farm bot in the Smart Agriculture Lab in the Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science building.