ABOR extends 3 research projects focused on addressing some of Arizona's biggest problems

The Arizona Board of Regents, known as ABOR, has approved no-cost extensions for three Regents’ Research Grants, focused on finding solutions to a few of the state’s big problems.

Arizona’s three public universities are working on the projects alongside state agencies and community organizations.

ABOR Treasurer Fred DuVal said the money for this specific type of grant comes from a sales tax increase that voters passed in 2000 to help stimulate economic growth.

“These are projects that are reverse engineered," DuVal said. "It starts with the public benefit — going to public agencies and public officials and saying, ‘What problem are you trying to solve for which our faculty, our universities can be the solution?’”

One project takes an inventory of potentially hazardous abandoned mines that discharge pollutants to surface and groundwater. Another focuses on reducing water contamination from PFAS, which some studies have linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals.

DuVal said the third project has researchers trying to prevent more Valley fever cases, as certain parts of the state reduce their water use.

“The surface land is getting harder and creating more volatile conditions for Valley Fever," DuVal said. "So we are working with the state to see if there are ways through chemical applications and spraying and other ways where we can create more fertile soil and suppress the dust.”