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Division of Research News

UNLV's Division of Research creates a campus environment that supports and promotes superior research, creative, and scholarly pursuits. This ensures that our students and faculty can recognize their full intellectual potential.

Current Research News

two women at a desk looking over photos and color samples
People |

After 17 years in the health care industry, this animal lover is the Division of Research's new research integrity officer.

UNLV professor standing in lab with computer screen in front of him
Research |

International team explores how our cells detect and destroy disease-causing proteins with specificity; findings published Feb. 20 in the journal Molecular Cell.

Horseshoe Bend is a horseshoe-shaped incised meander of the Colorado River located near the town of Page, Arizona, United States. It is also referred to as the "east rim of the Grand Canyon.”
Campus News |

UNLV, regional academic partners awarded milestone 'Engines' grant from NSF to translate sustainability ideas into tangible technologies.

a man at a table with a microscope and open book
UNLV History |

The late biology professor documented the history of Southern Nevada through its plants.

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People |

UNLV’s Research Impact Librarian enjoys connecting with others through pop culture. 

Students at Pida Plaza on the first day of classes (Josh Hawkins, UNLV).
Campus News |

A roundup of prominent news stories highlighting university pride, research, and community collaboration.

Research In The News

Gadget Insiders

Dave & Buster’s, a popular entertainment chain known for its vibrant arcade games and family-friendly atmosphere, has recently introduced Betting that’s causing quite a stir. In collaboration with Lucra Sports, the company aims to allow customers to place bets on arcade games through a specialized app. This innovative approach, designed to enhance customer engagement and increase spending, is not being met with universal applause.

Bonus.com

Not everyone is pleased with Dave & Buster’s plans to add a real money skill gaming option to its arcade experience. One critic in a position to do something about it is Illinois Rep. Dan Didech, who introduced a bill to prohibit precisely the sort of plan the family entertainment chain announced last week. Dave & Buster’s partnered with skill gaming company Lucra Sports to facilitate customers’ “friendly wagers” on games like Hot Shots and Skee-Ball.

Casino.org

Dave & Buster’s made headlines last week after announcing plans to incorporate peer-to-peer in-app betting for its arcade games. The news resulted in concerns and pushback from state gaming regulators and lawmakers who question whether such wagering violates gambling laws.

NBC News

Arcade chain Dave and Buster’s plan to allow customer betting isn’t winning over everyone. Software company Lucra Sports announced on Tuesday that it was working with the entertainment chain to allow customers to place wagers on their arcade games through the Dave & Buster’s app. But some lawmakers are calling foul.

CNBC

Arcade chain Dave and Buster’s plan to allow customer betting isn’t winning over everyone. Software company Lucra Sports announced on Tuesday that it was working with the entertainment chain to allow customers to place wagers on their arcade games through the Dave & Buster’s app.

SBC Americas

UNLV is preparing to host its inaugural class of ESPN Research Fellowships. The institution’s International Gaming Institute (IGI) has announced the recipients of the 2024 ESPN Research Fellowships. The group of scholars is tasked with researching the impact of RG messages used by media in the sports betting and gaming industry. Their work will be key in addressing and promoting healthy gambling practices.

Research Experts

An expert on gaming and society, Bernhard has been featured on CNN, The Discovery Channel, the BBC, and The History Channel.
An expert in sports betting, gaming policy and regulation, legislative affairs, and workplace sexual harrassment. 
A longtime industry executive and leading international expert on responsible gaming. 
An expert in hospitality innovation, business development, esports, and technology incubation. 
An expert in commercializing intellectual property.
An expert in research infrastructure, electrochemistry, chemistry, and radiochemistry.   

Recent Research Accomplishments

Craig Schwartz and colleagues (Nevada Extreme Conditions Lab) were recently awarded two grants from the Department of Energy: 1.) Next generation solar cells probed at the interface with exceptional precision (PIE): Towards new device design – Summary: Generating solar energy via photovoltaic (PV) devices is one of the most promising routes…
Marta Soligo (International Gaming Institute and Sociology) delivered a keynote speech earlier this month at the webinar “Film Tourism: Destination Branding and Experience” organized by the Bali Dwipa University in collaboration with the Bali Tourism Board. Soligo’s presentation centered around film-induced tourism, focusing on tourism planning,…
Marta Soligo (International Gaming Institute and Sociology) gave a presentation last month at the Sustainable Tourism Africa Summit 2022. Her speech centered around sustainable tourism, popular culture, and the post-pandemic recovery.
Kasra Ghaharian (Hospitality and International Gaming Institute) spoke on an expert panel at the 2022 Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention. The panel, Responsible Gaming in the Digital Age, addressed how advances in technology are impacting consumer protection policy and practices in the gambling industry.
Brett Abarbanel (International Gaming Institute) and Shane Kraus (Psychology) and colleagues from the Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School recently published a paper, "Examining Responsible Gambling Program Awareness and Engagement Trends and Relationships with Gambling Beliefs and Behaviors: A Three-Wave Study of Customers from a…
Joel Snyder (Psychology) was named a fellow of the Association for Psychological Science (APS). "Fellow status is awarded to APS members who have made sustained outstanding contributions to the science of psychology in the areas of research, teaching, service, and/or application," according to a statement from the APS.