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News

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.
Mackinac Bridge with clear skies

Leaders and Partners Gather on Mackinac to Shape Innovation’s Future

Each year, Michigan’s top leaders gather on Mackinac Island for the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Policy Conference to address key issues shaping the state’s future. This year, Michigan State University hosted a panel highlighting how federal research funding fuels breakthroughs, from improving pancreatic cancer survival rates to addressing crises like the Flint Water Crisis.
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.