Health and wellness research advances understanding of the human body, medicine, delivery of care, and public health concerns to help people live healthier, happier lives.

At UMass Amherst, researchers work to bring health and wellness discoveries from the lab out into the world, often in partnership with hospitals, biotech companies and start-ups, public health agencies, and community organizations. At UMass Amherst's Institute for Applied Life Sciences, more than 200 faculty-led research groups bring deep and interdisciplinary expertise to translate fundamental research into innovative product candidates, technologies, and services that benefit human health and well-being.

Whether developing the next generation of wearable health monitoring devices, tapping the potential of RNA to unlock new therapeutics and vaccines, or studying individual differences in psychology and psychotherapy, UMass is at the vanguard of health and wellness research and innovation.

Health and Medicine

Revolutionizing mRNA Production to Power Personalized Medicine

UMass Amherst start-up Waterfall Scientific was awarded up to $54.5M to lead a consortium in transforming how medical-grade mRNA is made.

Wearable Tech to Provide Greater Control Over Personal Health

UMass Amherst researchers are developing innovative devices to closely monitor a range of health metrics outside the clinic.

Uncovering the Genetic Keys to Type 2 Diabetes

UMass Amherst researchers are combining epidemiological, genetic, and bioinformatic knowledge to understand the drivers of diabetes and inform prevention and treatment strategies.

Reducing Fall Risk in Older Adults

UMass Amherst kinesiologists are approaching an age-old problem in novel ways by studying what causes older adults to fall more often—and how to prevent it.

Connecting the Dots Between Movement, Sleep, and Brain Development

Marie Fandy ’26 studies links between physical activity and cognitive outcomes in preschool-aged children. 

Uncovering the Molecular Mechanisms of Alzheimer's Disease

Anna Vincze '26 studies how neurodegenerative diseases progress in the brain, in service of informing the discovery of potential therapeutic targets.

Wearable Robotics to Power Human Movement

Banu Abdikadirova, a PhD student in mechanical and industrial engineering, develops wearable robotic systems and studies how they can enhance human performance and aid in rehabilitation.

Developing Rapid Diagnostic Tools to Find the Right Antibiotic

UMass Amherst start-up Latde Diagnostics is developing accessible diagnostic tools that work fast to save lives and mitigate the spread of antibiotic resistance.  

Bridging Engineering and Medicine

Through the BEAM program, UMass Amherst biomedical engineering undergraduates conduct translational research in a clinical setting at UMass Chan Medical School.

Research to Advance Personalized Cancer Treatment

UMass Amherst Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering Ashish Kulkarni's research aims to make immunotherapy effective for as many cancer patients as possible.

Food is Medicine

UMass Amherst researchers across multiple disciplines are studying the power of food to promote health and reduce chronic illness, often working in partnership with local community groups.  

Shedding Light on the Mysteries of Protein Folding

Owen Hurlbut Lesk ’25 conducts research to improve understanding of protein folding in cells, with possible implications for treating diseases such as diabetes. 

Improving the Lives of Older Adults Through AI

The Massachusetts AI and Technology Center for Connected Care in Aging & Alzheimer’s Disease (MassAITC) at UMass Amherst fosters research and innovation to promote healthy aging and enhance health care.

Nurses and Engineers Join Forces to Revolutionize Health Care

UMass Amherst’s Elaine Marieb Center for Nursing and Engineering Innovation works to leverage the unique skills and insights of both professions to develop life science technology solutions for a healthier and more equitable future.

mRNA Holds Key to Next-Gen Vaccines and Therapeutics

UMass Amherst researchers are developing technology to make extremely pure and plentiful RNA that could enable a new class of vaccines and treatments for a range of deadly diseases.

Getting Into the (Micro)Flow of Research

In Sarah Perry's microfluidics course, students get hands-on research experience with real-world applications.

Training the Next-Generation STEM Workforce

The Core Summer Internship Program at UMass Amherst offers undergraduates hands-on research experience in state-of-the-art labs along with valuable soft-skills training.

Public Health

Untangling the Long-Term Health Effects of 'Forever Chemicals'

UMass Amherst developmental toxicologist Alicia Timme-Laragy studies how PFAS and other common chemicals affect embryonic development and long-term disease risk.

Addressing Complex Health Challenges Using Engineering and Data Science

Biomedical engineering major Eden Vachtel '26 studies the social, economic, and health-related factors influencing nutritional insecurity.

How to Quit Smoking, According to Science

UMass Amherst researcher Jamie Hartmann-Boyce studies the evidence around cigarette smoking and vaping to inform policy and improve public health.

Illuminating the Health Effects of 'Forever Chemicals'

UMass Amherst researchers are studying the myriad ways PFAS chemicals affect human health—and pursuing strategies to mitigate their harm.

Innovative Research to Promote Health Equity

UMass Amherst researchers are working to close societal health disparities by studying social determinants, engaging communities, and harnessing the power of the arts.

Addressing Health Inequality in Partnership with Communities

Kathryn Derose's community-partnered research targets diverse public health concerns in the U.S. and Latin America.

Research to Increase Health Care Equity for Children

Charlotte Gilson ’25 studies healthcare disparities and has taken a leading role in a project examining pediatric fluoride varnish application patterns in Massachusetts.  

Confronting a Public Health Threat in the Great Outdoors

The New England Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (NEWVEC), headquartered at UMass Amherst, promotes collaborative research and outreach aimed at more effective control of ticks and mosquitoes.

Reducing Suffering From Addiction

Public health researcher Elizabeth Evans has dedicated her career to understanding how healthcare systems and public policy can better serve vulnerable populations at risk for opioid and other substance abuse disorders.

Securing the Safety of the Food Supply

UMass Amherst scientists are conducting research to promote the safety of the food we eat—and to stop the spread of outbreaks when they occur.

Psychology and Mental Health

Research to Drive More Personalized Mental Health Care

Professor of Clinical Psychology Michael Constantino’s research aims to help psychotherapists provide more effective treatment to patients suffering from a range of mental health challenges.

Recognizing Individual Differences in Self-Regulation

Psychologist Kirby Deater-Deckard conducts large-scale research studies around the world to understand variations in self-regulation, a key aspect of individual development.