A person wearing reflective goggles looks at a blast furnace simulation

Innovation at Purdue University Northwest

Global Excellence, Right at Home...That's Powering Onward

Purdue University Northwest serves as a hub for innovation, supporting significant advancement on campus and transformative opportunities in the community.

PNW Innovation in Action

PNW was elevated by the Higher Learning Commission to a doctoral-granting institution, coinciding with the approval of PNW’s third applied doctoral program, a Doctor of Psychology.

PNW helps power our region. Our impact includes $745.9 million of total income: 2 percent of gross regional product.

PNW researchers are playing major roles in the advancement of the Quantum Corridor, particle physics and steel decarbonization.
PNW is working toward the opening of the Roberts Impact Lab, which will contribute to regional commercialization and business expansion.

With nearly 20 research and specialty centers, PNW is committed to deepening our understanding of the world around us.
All these factors contributed to PNW being named the third Innovation and Economic Prosperity University in Indiana.

PNW Professor Maged Mikhail works with a student on a yellow mechatronics machine. — PNW is an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University, an acknowledgment for public research universities with strong evidence of collaboration with public and private sector partners to support economic development, innovation, community development and other areas.

A student uses a large water jet cutting machine. — The PNW Design Studio, has a wide variety of equipment for engineering students to use in their projects.

An illustrated rendering of Purdue University Northwest's Roberts Impact Lab. — The Roberts Impact Lab is a commercialization center and regional hub for business growth under development by Purdue University Northwest. Featuring PNW’s quantum computing lab, it will be the centerpiece of a new $40 million-plus downtown innovation district in Hammond, Indiana.

A student sits at a computer desk. He is looking at the camera and gesturing toward a graphic on the screen. — With nearly 20 research centers and institutes students, faculty and staff can collaborate and deepen their understanding of the world around them.

Two students walk toward the Nils K. Nelson Bioscience and Innovation Building — The additions of the Nils K. Nelson Bioscience Innovation Building, the PNW Design Studio, and the Dave Roberts Center for Innovation and Design provide students, faculty and staff with opportunities to work in fully updated, modern facilities.

I am excited to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation to ensure PNW remains a leader in regional economic development and workforce development.

PNW Chancellor Chris Holford

Innovation Updates

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Purdue University Northwest professor José Castro-Urioste named U.S. Fulbright Specialist

PNW faculty member, José Castro-Urioste, professor of Spanish in the PNW College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, has been named a U.S. Fulbright Specialist.

A woman stands in front of a visualization of a steelmaking blast furnace at Purdue University Northwest.

Purdue University Northwest Earns National Carnegie Research University designation

Purdue University Northwest is the only university or college in Northwest Indiana to earn this designation, with PNW researchers earning over $70 million in research and development funds since 2021.

Alfonso Pagani and Magesh Chandramouli stand together in a doorway

Purdue University Northwest Professor Returns from Transformative Fulbright Specialist Appointment in Italy

Magesh Chandramouli, professor of Computer Graphics Technology, spent three weeks during December 2025 as a U.S. Fulbright Specialist at Politecnico di Torino (Polytechnic University of Turin) in Turin, Italy.