Title: Ultracold atoms tuned to many-body regimes previously impossible Abstract: Cold atom research has flourished in the direction of designing systems to quantum emulate important models in condensed matter physics. In this talk, however, I will focus on another different, exciting thrust, namely, to explore some unique aspects of cold atom systems, such as the Feshbach tuned strong interaction, large spin population and mass imbalance, and higher orbital bands of optical lattices. Examples of novel phases and progresses in their experimental realization will be presented.