Research Makes America Healthier
At the University of Washington, researchers work tirelessly to fight disease, improve treatments and advance life-changing medical breakthroughs — improving lives across our state and beyond.
From rural clinics to cutting-edge labs, the University of Washington is advancing discoveries that help people live longer, healthier lives.
UW researchers are improving early detection and treatment of diseases like cancer, stroke, and Alzheimer’s — and ensuring access to care reaches every community, from Seattle to the smallest towns across our state. Federal investment in public research ensures that life-changing breakthroughs don’t stay in the lab — they reach the people who need them most. Our brightest medical minds are turning ideas into real-world health solutions that improve lives across the nation.
Healthier futures depend on public research
From new cancer therapies to rural health programs, lifesaving discoveries at the University of Washington are made possible by federal funding. When that support wavers, so does our ability to prevent disease, improve access to care, and advance medical innovation.
Helping the brain rebuild after stroke
With federal support, UW researchers are testing an implanted device that stimulates the brain during rehabilitation, with the goal of helping stroke survivors regain more movement.
Turning immune cells into early warning systems
With support from the National Institutes of Health, UW bioengineers are exploring how the body’s own immune cells could help spot disease earlier — and eventually deliver treatment where it’s needed most.
A vaccine designed for future outbreaks
A vaccine created by UW researchers is now in human trials, testing whether one shot could offer broader protection against COVID-19 and other coronaviruses that may emerge in the future.
Expanding GLP-1 drugs to treat alcohol addiction
A national clinical trial at UW Medicine is testing whether tirzepatide, a drug already used for weight loss and diabetes, can help people with alcohol-use disorder reduce cravings and drinking — potentially opening a new path to treatment.
Healthier lives depend on continued research
From cancer breakthroughs to rural health programs, the University of Washington is turning discovery into better care and stronger communities. These advances are saving lives — but they rely on sustained federal investment in public research.
When funding is uncertain, so is our ability to prevent disease, expand access to care, and improve the health of every community. That’s why it’s critical to advocate for research funding.
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Healthier. Safer. More prosperous.
These stories are part of Research Makes America — a University of Washington series highlighting the life-changing power of federally-funded research. Learn more about why this research matters — and how you can help protect it.
