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.
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.”
Kevin C. Elliott, professor of philosophy and member of the Lyman Briggs College Science and Society faculty group, was promoted to Red Cedar Distinguished Professor on March 1, 2025.
Henry Cowan, assistant professor of clinical science in the Department of Psychology at Michigan State University, received a 2024 Young Investigator Award from the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation and was chosen to be the Frederick & Alice Coles and Thomas & Nancy Coles Investigator through their Research Partners Program.
Kevin C. Elliott, professor of philosophy and member of the Lyman Briggs College Science and Society faculty group, was promoted to Red Cedar Distinguished Professor on March 1, 2025. This title is awarded by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation and the Office of the Provost and is intended to recognize outstanding faculty who enhance the stature of MSU’s intellectual work to national and global prominence.
Selvan Demir, an assistant professor of chemistry at Michigan State University, is a recipient of a 2025 research fellowship by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
