The Trifecta Initiative Facilitating Fund (TIFF) Awards are designed to provide investigators from the Trifecta Initiative colleges (Communications Arts & Sciences, Engineering, and Nursing) with resources towards federally funded NIH/NSF proposals.

Felicia Wu, John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor and University Distinguished Professor in Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, was selected to serve as co-chair of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, or NASEM, committee on the ethical, legal, environmental, safety, security, and other appropriate societal issues related to engineering biology research and development.

Internationally recognized scholar Jackie Goodway has been named a Red Cedar Distinguished Professor. Since 2022, the distinction has recognized faculty who demonstrate exemplary scholarly achievement, teaching excellence and a clear alignment with MSU’s strategic research priorities — strengthening recruitment, recognition and retention of top academic talent across campus.

The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, or AIMBE, has inducted Christopher H. Contag, the James and Kathleen Cornelius Chair in the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Microbiology, Genetics and Immunology; and director of the Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering at Michigan State University, into its College of Fellows.

From protecting butterflies in Michigan and across the nation to uncovering the connection between gut health and stronger bones, Michigan State University researchers are tackling challenges that impact our environment, health and future well-being. In March, Nick Haddad, Gemma Reguera, Laura McCabe and Michael Thoennessen were recognized as 2024 fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, or AAAS.

Shawn Loewen, Professor in the Department of Linguistics, Languages, and Cultures at Michigan State University, received a 2025 PROSE Award from the Association of American Publishers (AAP) for his co-authored textbook, A Practical Guide to Second Language Teaching and Learning.

Irene Xagoraraki, a professor in the MSU Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and her team from the Tri-County Detroit Area (TCDA) partnership have been awarded the 2025 Distinguished Partnership Award for Community-Engaged Research. Since 2017, they have been testing municipal wastewater from the TCDA to survey for communicable diseases. The TCDA counties are Wayne, Oakland and Macomb in Southeast Michigan.

Professor and internationally recognized scholar Kristen Renn was named an American Educational Research Association Fellow in March 2025. The honor recognizes scholars for their “exceptional contributions to, and excellence in, education research,” said AERA in a news release. She joins a group of 29 scholars recognized with the distinction.

Starting Monday, March 31 at 8:00 am and lasting through Tuesday, April 8 at 8:00 am, the Click Research Compliance IRB System (Click IRB) will experience a software upgrade and will be unavailable during this time.