Interdisciplinary Units
Biosphere 2
Biosphere 2, under the management of The University of Arizona, is one of the world's most unique facilities dedicated to the research and understanding of global scientific issues. The Biosphere 2 facility will serve as a laboratory for controlled scientific studies, an arena for scientific discovery and discussion, and a far-reaching provider of public education. Its mission is to serve as a center for research, outreach, teaching and life-long learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe; to catalyze interdisciplinary thinking and understanding about Earth and its future; to be an adaptive tool for Earth education and outreach to industry, government, and the public; and to distill issues related to Earth systems planning and management for use by policymakers, students and the public.
To achieve Biosphere 2's mission, The University has established two organizations: B2 Earthscience (directed by UA Associate Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Travis Huxman) which will address issues of global environmental change using multidisciplinary research and B2 Institute (directed by Regents' Professor of Physics and Optical Sciences Pierre Meystre) which will conduct interdisciplinary programs to tackle scientific "Grand Challenges."