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News

Person sorting through groceries

Food Insecurity Linked to Nerve Damage

The nerves in our hands and feet allow us to sense touch, pressure, temperature, vibration and pain. If anything interferes with nerve function, we can have trouble with daily tasks like holding objects and even walking. Some people are at higher risk for nerve damage in their extremities. Why? New research from Michigan State University reveals that race/ethnicity and food insecurity are two key factors associated with peripheral neuropathy.
David MacFarlane with team in forest

Exploring Climate-Smart Forestry Across Continents

David MacFarlane, a professor of measurements and modeling in the Department of Forestry at Michigan State University, recently completed a six-month sabbatical that took him from the mangrove coasts of Mexico to the alpine forests of Italy. His journey was part of a Fulbright Global Scholar Award aimed at advancing an emerging global approach to forest management known as climate-smart forestry.
Little girl doing work in a classroom

$10M Grant Will Advance Science Education in the Rural South

CREATE’s research and partnerships reveal that science instruction—especially in lower grades and low-income schools—often receives less attention, widening the achievement gap between these and more affluent communities. To address this, Michigan State University scholars are expanding their innovative Collaborate Science (ColSci) curriculum to strengthen science and literacy learning and spark student engagement.
Juliet Hess

Championing Epistemic Justice in Music Education

Juliet Hess has long been a voice for equity and inclusion in the classroom. Now, the professor of music education at the Michigan State University College of Music is set to publish her latest book which presents practical ways to honor and embolden knowers across a range of minoritized student populations.
A flowchart of the STANCE model

Researchers Highlight Technological Improvements in Identifying Gene Traits

Two papers by Michigan State University researchers in spatial transcriptomics were recently published in Nature Communications. The technology presented has the potential to make an impact in cancer treatments, as genetic information about the environment surrounding tumors can make an impact on a patient’s immune response.
Research team posing

Farming Meets Solar Power in New MSU Project

Michigan State University scientists plan to build a first-of-its-kind outdoor lab to study how solar panels placed alongside crops could save water, improve soil health and support ecosystems, all while boosting farmers’ bottom line and preserving farm production.
Drone launching off grass

The Drone Revolution Meets the Farm

A new study offers the first comprehensive global look at how drones are reshaping agriculture. The research finds that while drone technology promises significant benefits, including higher efficiency, reduced labor, and potential environmental gains, its adoption thus far is far from uniform.
anna maria santiago

Neighborhood Violence Tied to Earlier Alcohol/Tobacco Start Among Teens

A new study led by MSU Social Work professor Anna Maria Santiago finds that teens in higher-violence neighborhoods start alcohol and tobacco earlier and at higher rates than their peers.
Announcements
The Jenison Fund: Supporting MSU’s Research Momentum
The Jenison Fund helps researchers sustain momentum amid changes in federal funding. The second round of funding for this three-year initiative has recently been awarded.
Hanna Named to TIME100 Health List
Mona Hanna of MSU’s College of Human Medicine has been named to the 2026 TIME100 Health list. She is recognized for founding Rx Kids, the nation’s first community-wide maternal and infant cash prescription program.
Mahmoudi Receives National AAAS Award
Michigan State University Professor Morteza Mahmoudi has been named the recipient of the 2026 Award for Scientific Freedom and Responsibility by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, or AAAS.
Klump Honored With National Beckman Mentoring Award
MSU Foundation professor and clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychology Kelly Klump was awarded the prestigious 2025 Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Award, a national award that recognizes academic faculty members who have inspired their former students to make a significant contribution to society.
MSU Named a Top Producer of Fulbright Scholars for 2025–26
For the 11th time in the last 12 years, Michigan State University has been named a top producer of Fulbright Scholars, ranking among the colleges and universities with the highest number of faculty and administrators selected for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program.