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News

A  ollage of scientific and technological elements arranged around large 3D letters reading “A to Z,”

MSU Research A to Z

Explore 26 ways Spartan research is improving lives — from A to Z. These examples offer just a glimpse into the wide-ranging impact Spartans are making every day through discovery and innovation.
Tom Sharkey and a person in lab observing plants

Some Plants Make Their Own Pesticide — But at What Cost to the Atmosphere?

A natural alternative to pesticides may be hiding in a misunderstood plant compound, but it could come at an environmental cost. New Michigan State University research 40 years in the making now sheds light on how this natural chemical can repel insects.
Lantern hanging from MSU building

MSU a Top 40 Institution Among US Universities Granted Patents

Michigan State University has been named one of the top 40 institutions in the Top 100 U.S. Universities ranking by the National Academy of Inventors, which recognizes universities granted the most utility patents each year.
Close-up view of water with rippling patterns in shades of blue and green

MSU Water Alliance Supports Interdisciplinary Research, Community Partnerships in Second Year

The MSU Water Alliance is helping faculty connect across disciplines, supporting student and young professional research, and turning scientific expertise into real-world solutions.
Illustration showing three colorful grid-lined 3D shapes representing exotic atomic nuclei

FRIB Researchers Use SuN to Shine Light on Exotic Nuclear Shapes

A team of researchers at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, or FRIB, at Michigan State University discovered that cobalt-70 isotopes form different nuclear shapes when their energy levels differ only slightly. The findings, published in Nature Communications Physics, shed light on the dynamic, complex nature of exotic nuclear particles.
4 construction workers planning and pointing

New MSU Research Shows Stronger Communication Results in Stronger Construction

When it comes to constructing complex buildings that involve architects, engineers and construction professionals, it’s not just engineering that matters, it’s also how people talk to each other. New interdisciplinary research from Michigan State University found that better team communication and collaboration can dramatically improve the performance of large-scale construction projects.
Gloved hand holding a metal circle

Rooney Searches for Clues to Why Continents Break Apart

Millions of years ago, nearly all of Earth’s continents were fused together in one giant land mass called Pangea. That is, until tectonic forces split them apart in a phenomenon called continental rifting. Tyrone Rooney has spent his career solving the mystery of how rifting works.
A person sits in a lab with lights and cameras extending her arm into a motion-tracking device

Spartans Are Creating Technologies for a Better World

Some of the most impactful technologies often aren’t the ones you see. They seamlessly make their way into our day, making life safer, healthier and more sustainable. At Michigan State University, a top 40 U.S. university for its number of utility patents, Spartan researchers are designing and delivering those very innovations.
Announcements
Impact of Interdisciplinary Collaboration Showcased at the Tetrad Symposium
Forty Tetrad teams convened at the MSU Union to present their collaborative research at the Tetrad Symposium.
Edwards Named National Academy of Education Member
University Distinguished Professor Patricia A. Edwards has been named a National Academy of Education member. The title recognizes educators and education scholars who have made outstanding contributions to the field. Edwards is one of five current Michigan State University faculty to hold the title, and one of 19 to be selected for the title in 2026.
Shared Research Infrastructure Programs (SRIP) January 2026 Awards Announced
The Office of Research and Innovation (OR&I) is pleased to announce the January 2026 recipients for the Shared Research Infrastructure Program (SRIP) awards. SRIP supports one-time, non-recurring purchases or investments in specialized research infrastructure that will support and advance cutting-edge research at MSU, benefit a diverse range of researchers, and align with MSU’s strategic research priorities. This program is funded in part through the generosity of the Michigan State University Research Foundation.
Jazz Program Earns National Recognition at Collegiate Championship
The Michigan State University Jazz Studies program placed second in the nation in the 2026 National Collegiate Jazz Championship with more than 20 MSU musicians earning individual honors.
Ogunwobi Named Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences
Internationally renowned cancer researcher Olorunseun “Seun” Ogunwobi, MD, PhD, has been elected a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS). Ogynwobi is chair of Michigan State University’s Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and co-director of the Center for Cancer Health Equity Research.