The University of Iowa Technology Institute’s Operator Performance Laboratory (OPL) recently supported Collins Aerospace in the first rounds of flight tests of an air combat training system designed to prepare U.S. Navy and Air Force pilots and crews for aerial combat.

An in-flight photograph of one of the University of Iowa's Mi-2 helicopters earned first place in the helicopter category of the Iowa Department of Transportation's biennial Iowa Aviation photo contest for 2019-2020.

The Operator Performance Lab (OPL) has played an important role in developing the Tactical Combat Training System II (TCTS II), a military air combat training tool.

As a member of Detachment 255, and through her work as a flight test research assistant, Abbie Moore has traveled to military bases across the country, experiencing unique military and professional training. Moore also spent time with the University of Iowa Technology Institute as a flight test research assistant at the Operator Performance Lab.

What initially began as an everyday annoyance turned out to be a scientific discovery that has the potential to change the way clot-busting drugs are administered to stroke patients.

OPL was recently honored for the latest efforts in this long line of work. It was among two recent awards for OPL, which is part of the College of Engineering's University of Iowa Technology Institute.

On this edition of River to River, host Ben Kieffer speaks with Dr. Enrique Leira about how new research from the University of Iowa studying the effects of helicopter rides led to the discovery of a potential new stroke therapy.