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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.
A close up of raindrops on leaves

May Research at MSU

May is a time of celebration and reflection at MSU. As graduation season ends, we honor students’ achievements and recognize women in leadership. From inspiring faculty to student voices and cultural legacies, these stories reflect the resilience and creativity of the Spartan community.
Announcements
MSU Museum Celebrates 25 Years as Michigan’s First Smithsonian Affiliate
The MSU Museum is celebrating 25 years as Michigan’s first Smithsonian Affiliate, a partnership that has connected communities with nationally recognized exhibitions, educational programs, and research opportunities.
Stabenow Shares Vision for Future of Food and Farm Policy at MSU
Two-time MSU graduate Debbie Stabenow returned to campus to deliver the Stuckman Lecture, reflecting on decades of public service and her vision for the future of food and farming.
Nwando Achebe Elected Overseas Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters
MSU historian Nwando Achebe has been elected an Overseas Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters which is one of the highest honors bestowed by Nigeria's premier scholarly organization for the humanities, arts, and literature.
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.