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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A water resources expert at Michigan State University received the 2024 American Water Resources Association (AWRA) Honorary Member Award.

Pouyan Nejadhashemi was elected to the prestigious honorary position for his “acknowledged eminence in a branch of water resources science and technology.”

The Trifecta Advisory Council has awarded two award applications for Spring 2025.

The Office of Research and Innovation requests applications for the 2024-2025 Discretionary Funding Initiative (DFI). The application and proposal development document deadline is March 13, 2025. DFI is generously supported by MSU Research Foundation.

CIRCLE (Center for Interdisciplinary Research, Collaboration, Learning, and Engagement) is excited to offer seed grants to support three projects in 2025-26. This program aims to provide an opportunity for genuine interdisciplinary collaboration among scholars and educators from different fields and areas of focus. The aim of these grants is to help develop new collaborations. We welcome proposals that focus on teaching and learning, research, or creative practice, and we welcome proposals in which team members are changing course or exploring new areas of inquiry.