After a morning of Zoom meetings, a phone call to Senator Elissa Slotkin’s office and training medical students, Cara Poland, MD, MEd, still has plenty of energy to juggle her many roles. Poland is an associate professor with MSU College of Human Medicine and a physician at Trinity Health driven to advance addiction treatment through her clinical practice, teaching and advocacy.

Dr. Karim Maredia, professor, assistant dean and director of International Programs for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University, was recently named a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) for his contributions to research, outreach, education and capacity building.

Marisa Fisher, a recognized leader in special education, has been named a Red Cedar Distinguished Professor. The Michigan State University distinction recognizes faculty for their exemplary scholarly achievements, teaching excellence and alignment with university priorities, including student recruitment and retaining top academic talent.

Last summer, Titus Awokuse, Michigan State University Vice Provost and Dean for International Studies and Programs, was one of six Fellows inducted to the 2024 Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA) Class. One year later, he has been named president-elect of the organization. Awokuse previously served on AAEA’s executive board from 2020-2023.

Eleven faculty and nine students from Michigan State University were offered Fulbright awards for the 2025-26 academic year. Fulbright alumni return to their home countries to make an impact in their local communities—thanks to their expanded worldview, a deep appreciation for their host country, its people, and a larger network of colleagues and friends.

Eleven faculty and nine students* from Michigan State University were offered Fulbright awards for the 2025-26 academic year.

James K. McCusker, a University Research Foundation Professor in the College of Natural Science, has been awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry’s prestigious Mond-Nyholm Prize for Inorganic Chemistry.

Anil Jain, University Distinguished Professor at MSU, has received the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Information and Communication Technologies, alongside Michael I. Jordan of UC Berkeley, for their foundational work in machine learning and its broad societal impact.

Ten Michigan State University faculty have been named University Distinguished Professors in recognition of their outstanding achievements in teaching, research and public service.

Michigan State University Research Foundation Professor Teresa K. Woodruff is the 2025 recipient of the Carl G. Hartman Award from the Society for the Study of Reproduction. Woodruff, an internationally recognized expert in ovarian biology and reproductive science, will receive the award in Washington, D.C. at the society’s annual meeting in late July.