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News

Lake Michigan Coast Shoreline

Shoreline Armoring of Michigan’s Lake Michigan Coast Increased Fivefold During the Latest Period of High Water

As Lake Michigan’s water levels surged between 2014 and 2020, coastal erosion drove a dramatic rise in shoreline armoring—offering protection for property owners but raising new concerns for the lake’s ecosystems.
Crystal under laser technology

Using Crystals and Light, Scientists Unlock New Ways to Grow Materials On-Demand

Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered how to "draw" on demand the crystals used in many crucial technologies, from solar panels and LED lighting to medical imaging. Appearing in the journal ACS Nano, the breakthrough was achieved by striking gold nanoparticles with a single laser pulse.
Leaves in bunches

Seeds of Hope

College of Natural Science plant researchers are racing to build climate-resilient crops before global food systems reach a breaking point.
Two scientists in a laboratory

Fuel for the Finish Line: How Sperm Achieve ‘Overdrive’

Michigan State University scientists have pinpointed the molecular “switch” that supercharges sperm for their final sprint to an egg — a breakthrough that could reshape infertility treatments and pave the way for safe, nonhormonal male contraceptives.
Doctor consulting patient

Researchers Lead $3.7M Study to Shed Light on Perimenopause and Psychosis

For decades, women’s midlife experiences have been largely overlooked by medical research. Despite previous assumptions about midlife mental health risks, relatively little research has systematically investigated the connections between hormonal fluctuations and psychological symptoms.
Aerial farm from above

Precision Agriculture: Soil Mapping and Measuring With a Data-Driven Approach

Digital tools make it easier to visualize how soil properties vary across our fields. Recent research suggests that using management zones to highlight these spatial patterns can help us understand field variations and how to better manage them.
Gabriela Quinlan

Spartan Scientists Contribute to Global Examination of Pollinator Habitat

Michigan State University Distinguished Professor Rufus Isaacs and CANR alumna Gabriela Quinlan (Ph.D. ’20), now an Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, collaborated with researchers from 19 countries to develop a framework for informing conservation policies to increase the quantity and enhance the quality of pollinator habitat in agricultural landscapes.
Maria Molina

Molina Awarded NSF Career Grant to Advance Research on Human-AI Interaction and Privacy

Maria Molina, Assistant Professor of Advertising and Public Relations, has been awarded the National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award. The five-year grant, totaling more than $500,000, will support Molina's groundbreaking research on human-AI interaction, specifically how people navigate trust and privacy in their use of generative AI systems.
Announcements
Shipley Named 2026 Guggenheim Fellow
MSU photography faculty member Lara Shipley has been named a Guggenheim Fellow for the 2026 cohort. She will use her Fellowship to help finance an art project on wolves in Minnesota.
O’Halloran Named Member of American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Thomas O’Halloran is among the 252 newest members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, joining a historic group that includes figures like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein.
Spartan Researchers Convene for One Health Research Workshops
Faculty voices are helping shape the future of One Health Research at MSU, where interconnected health challenges meet collaborative, real-world solutions.
Douglas Awarded Honorary Doctorate in Belgium
Philosopher Heather Douglas of Michigan State University was awarded an honorary doctorate in Belgium for her influential work on science, ethics and public trust.
Ren Named 2026 Guggenheim Fellow
Xuefei Ren was named a 2026 Guggenheim Fellow for her internationally recognized research and upcoming project examining AI, data centers and the future of urban regions in China and the U.S.
Malete and Pfeiffer Named Gwen Norrell Professors
Two Michigan State University professors were named Gwen Norrell Professors, recognizing their work in youth sport and student-athlete well-being. Their research will advance physical, mental and developmental outcomes for young athletes.