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News

Seth Jacobson holding an asteroid piece

Planetary Scientists Help Advise NASA’s Planetary Defense Efforts

An asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago — and scientists know it could happen again. While no object that large currently threatens Earth, NASA continues to track potentially dangerous space rocks. Michigan State University researchers contribute critical insights into how asteroids behave and how they could be deflected.
Gabrielle Ekstrum playing with child

A Lifeline for Those Experiencing Postpartum Depression

After the birth of her second son, Gabrielle Ekstrum was overwhelmed by emotions she couldn’t explain. Through Michigan State University’s ROSE program, she learned to recognize postpartum depression and reach out for help early. Her story shows how timely support can save lives and reshape care for parents nationwide.
Shashank Priya, Vice President for Research and Innovation

MSU Welcomes Shashank Priya as Vice President for Research and Innovation

After the completion of a national search, Shashank Priya has been selected as the new VP for Research and Innovation.
A son and father at a computer

NIH Awards $3.1M to MSU To Study the Impact of Stuttering on Children

Researchers in MSU’s Developmental Speech Laboratory received $3.1 million from the National Institutes of Health for a five-year study examining why stuttering affects some children more negatively than others. The project is the first large-scale longitudinal study to focus on how the adverse impacts of stuttering develop in children.
Beaumont tower under a starry night

Astronomers Capture New Images of Star Explosions in Real Time

Astronomers have captured unprecedented, detailed images of two stellar explosions — known as novae — within days of their eruption. The breakthrough provides direct evidence that these explosions are more complex than previously thought, with multiple outflows of material and, in some cases, dramatic delays in the ejection process.
Aitor Aguirre writing on a whiteboard

Scientists Create First Human Heart Organoid To Replicate A-Fib

Though an estimated 60 million people around the world have atrial fibrillation. It’s been at least 30 years since any new treatments have been developed. This is because researchers haven’t had accurate models of the human heart to study. Thanks to new developments from Michigan State University scientists, that is no longer the case.
Three people on social media art

How Social Media Shapes Tolerance and Echo Chambers

A Michigan State University–led study explores how social media might strengthen or weaken echo chambers. The study focused on social media use and the attitudes of young people who leave rural areas to attend university and the attitudes of their parents who stay behind.
World Map

Is Narcissism a Uniquely American Trait? A New Study Suggests Not

But a recent study from researchers at Michigan State University’s Department of Psychology found that narcissism is a universal trait with consistent patterns across cultures. Interestingly, their findings indicate the U.S. is not even in the top five countries with the highest levels of narcissism — and that rates are higher among young adults and men.
Announcements
Q&A with Nick Miller, Director of Business Connect at the MSU Innovation Center
In this Q&A, Nick Miller, director of Business Connect at the MSU Innovation Center, shares insights on the value of industry-sponsored research, resources available to help faculty connect with corporate partners, and steps researchers can take to initiate successful collaborations.
NIH Awards Multi-University Team Over $4M to Improve Women’s Health
A $4.6 million NIH award is supporting an MSU-led research team working to improve women’s health through advanced computer models that account for hormonal changes across the lifespan.
MSU Maintains High Ranking for Research by Washington Monthly
Washington Monthly ranked MSU among the nation’s top research universities, recognizing its research strength, doctoral education, and faculty accomplishments.
MSU Graduate Researchers Receive Support to Advance Promising Approaches to Cancer Detection and Treatment
MSU's ORI and the Aitch Foundation have selected three graduate students as recipients of the 2026 Aitch Foundation Fellowship. Each fellowship provides $30,000 in support for a 12-month period, enabling recipients to advance innovative research projects with the potential to improve cancer diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes.
Luedtke Awarded 2026 NEOGEN Land Grant Prize
Michigan State University doctoral student Christian Luedtke has been awarded the 2026 NEOGEN Land Grant Prize, which recognizes graduate student research with the potential to advance scientific discovery while creating economic impact through practical applications.
Flint Awards Highest Civic Honor to MSU's Mona Hanna
MSU’s Mona Hanna received a key to the city of Flint in recognition of her transformative impact on public health and child advocacy.