194 UNL Researchers Rank on 2026 Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% List

194 Huskers Ranked Worldwide

One hundred ninety-four current and former University of Nebraska–Lincoln researchers earned spots on the 2026 Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientists list, Nebraska Today reported.

The annual index measures research influence through citation metrics gathered from the Scopus database. Inclusion identifies scholars whose published work ranks among the most frequently cited in their respective disciplines globally.

The 2026 update evaluates career-long research impact through 2025, alongside citations received during that same year. Researchers are evaluated across 20 scientific fields and 174 subfields based on total citations, the h-index, co-authorship-adjusted impact, and positioning on published papers, which are combined into a composite indicator known as the c-score.

Distribution Across Colleges

The representation spans multiple academic units across the university. The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources leads the institution with 73 researchers on the roster.

The College of Arts and Sciences follows with 59 researchers, while the College of Engineering accounts for 40 selections. Additional representation includes 16 from the College of Education and Human Sciences, three from the College of Business, two from the College of Architecture, and one from the College of Law.

College	Number of Researchers
Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources	73
Arts and Sciences	59
Engineering	40
Education and Human Sciences	16
Architecture	2
Law	1

Data Methodology and Scope

The database relies on an August 1, 2026, snapshot of Scopus data. It compiles the top 100,000 scientists by composite score alongside individuals who rank in the top 2% of their specific subfields worldwide.

Citation rankings offer one measurable indicator of academic influence but do not capture every facet of research quality. Nebraska researchers contribute to advancements in agriculture, health, engineering, and technology that impact communities locally and internationally.

Because institutional affiliations recorded in the database can vary, some campus researchers may not appear under the University of Nebraska–Lincoln heading. Affiliates included in the Elsevier rankings who are missing from local college breakdowns are encouraged to contact Troy Fedderson at [email protected] or 402-472-8515.