Dear Colleagues,

While this is a time of uncertainty and worry, we still have much to be proud of. In the face of diminishing federal research support and university budget challenges, our resolve remains clear. We continue with uncommon will because the impact of the work of our faculty, students, and staff is too important to pause.

From powerful research presentations to new equipment and national honors, MSU’s research continues to distinguish itself. Veona Cutinho’s undergraduate research story, shared at the April Board of Trustees meeting, reminded us: the work we do shapes lives.

This spring, MSU achieved a rare and remarkable milestone: three of our faculty were elected to the National Academy of Sciences. Congratulations to Professors Christoph Benning, Jianguo "Jack" Liu, and G. Philip Robertson for earning one of the highest honors in science. Their work in plant biochemistry, sustainability, and ecosystem science represents research excellence at its finest. 

Several former colleagues were inducted as well. Robin Buell, who served at MSU as a University Distinguished Faculty and MSU Research Foundation Professor from 2007 to 2021, continues to make an impact in her current role at the University of Georgia. Two former MSU postdocs—Joe Zhou (now at University of Oklahoma) and Valeria Souza (now at Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico) were also elected. These recognitions for current and former colleagues demonstrate the power of MSU as a place to develop and nurture creative and scientific talent.

In these troubling times we each must communicate the value of what we do. MSU’s new website, Research for You, reflects this impact through stories that highlight how long-term research leads to real-world breakthroughs. The site showcases how MSU research improves lives—locally and globally—through advances in cancer treatment, food security, public health, and safer technologies. Through the Spartan Advocate website you can email your congressional representatives with a personal message on how research innovation has impacted your life.

There is much to share—and many more stories ahead.

Douglas A. Gage, Ph.D.

Vice President for Research and Innovation

Research Recognition

In addition to the three MSU faculty elected to the National Academy of Sciences (Benning, Liu, and Robertson), we also congratulate the following:

Guggenheim Fellow

Michael Dease, professor of jazz trombone in the Michigan State University College of Music, has been named a Guggenheim Fellow in the 100th anniversary class of the prestigious fellowship. 

MSU Research Foundation Professor Awards

Congratulations to this year’s faculty awardees for outstanding scholarly contributions:

• Erich Grotewold, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
• Jiying Ling, Nursing
• Joshua Yumibe, English, Film

Red Cedar Distinguished Professorship

Five exceptional faculty have been named Red Cedar Distinguished Professors for their impact in teaching, research, and service:

• Kriste Cetin, Civil & Environmental Engineering
• Michael Dease, Music
• Marisa Fisher, Special Education
• Aline Godfroid, Linguistics
• Kristen Renn, Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (HALE)

2025 Carl G. Hartman Award

• Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D., has been awarded this highest honor from the Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR), for a lifetime of achievement in reproductive biology.
• Nick Haddad – Conservation Ecology
• Laura McCabe – Physiology & AVP for Research Regulatory Support
• Gemma Reguera – Microbiology and Environmental Science and Policy
• Michael Thoennessen – Physics

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Four MSU researchers have been named AAAS Fellows for 2024:

Their work spans butterflies, gut health, and global science leadership. We at OR&I are especially proud of Laura McCabe, Ph.D. who serves as Associate Vice President for Research Regulatory Support. 

For more faculty award news, please visit our announcements.

MSU Salutes Breakthroughs at 2025 Innovation Celebration 

MSU’s Innovation Center honored Spartan breakthroughs in research and entrepreneurship at the 2025 Innovation Celebration and award ceremony on April 1 at the Kellogg Center, honoring the trailblazers advancing research, entrepreneurship, and economic development in the region and beyond.

• Innovation of the Year: Tamara Reid Bush & Justin Scott (for Sit Sense, a novel innovation supporting seated posture and health)
• Innovator of the Year: André Bachmann (for advancing treatment of rare genetic disorders and pediatric cancer through repurposed therapeutics like DFMO)
• Technology Transfer Achievement Award:  Bruno Basso (for GeoYields, a technology enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability)
• Corporate Connector of the Year: Chengcheng Fang (for pioneering partnerships with GM and Ford to develop the next generation of EV battery technologies)
• Startup of the Year: EeroQ, an MSU startup redefining quantum computing using electrons on superfluid helium.
• Student Startup of the Year: BRCĒ (a startup founded by Madhav Aggarwal & Tanvi Gadamsetti for creating shoelaces/braces for athletes)

Shared Research Infrastructure Program Awards Announced

Four projects received Spring 2025 Shared Research Infrastructure Program (SRIP) funding to support cutting-edge research infrastructure across MSU, thanks in part to the MSU Research Foundation. Three awards are to purchase equipment, and a fourth award supports the planning and writing of a major research infrastructure grant. As we strive to use resources in the most strategic way possible, the competitive SRIP program aims to increase scientific capability across campus. Congratulations to:

• Qi Fan, Electrical & Computer Engineering (for SmartLab X-ray Goniometer upgrade to enhance advanced XRD research capabilities)
• Erik Shapiro, Radiology (for integrated PET/MRI anesthesia system to expand companion animal imaging and NIH-funded research)
• Elisa Toulson and Hongtao Zhong, Mechanical Engineering (for planning grant to develop a proposal for a fire-hardened Wind Tunnel Test Center to support wildfire and structural fire research)

Read the full announcement.

Research-focused Events

Federal Research Impacts Webinars Draw Strong Engagement

Nearly 600 faculty and research administrators from Michigan State University and Henry Ford Health joined a second Federal Impacts on Research webinar to hear updates and share concerns, following  a similarly well-attended webinar on March 19. 

View webinar resources and video recordings from both sessions.

To continue the conversation, we’re planning a series of smaller, topical sessions with live Q&A. These will allow for deeper discussion and space to explore specific concerns. We hope you’ll join us in keeping the dialogue going as we continue navigating the evolving federal funding landscape.

Looking Back, Moving Forward: A Visit to MSU’s Mass Spectrometry and Metabolomics Core

Associate Professor and Core Director Maryam Goudarzi recently welcomed me and other campus leaders for a tour of MSU’s Mass Spectrometry and Metabolomics Core, offering an inspiring glimpse into the facility’s remarkable transformation.

MSU completed a recent $2.2 million renovation of the facility, which houses twelve mass spectrometers. 

MSU Research Foundation provided funds for the acquisition of cutting-edge instruments from Bruker and LECO. 

Through archival photos and shared stories, we reflected on how far the Core has come—and looked ahead to the future it’s now poised to shape. 

Founded in 1968 by Professors Charles Sweeley and Jack Holland and supported early on by the NIH, the Core quickly became a national leader in analytical chemistry. With additional support from the Department of Energy—including one of the largest university instrumentation grants ever awarded by DOE in 1981—the facility expanded its capabilities. I had the privilege of joining as Facility Manager in 1990, during a time of major innovation and growth. 

Today, under Dr. Goudarzi’s leadership, that legacy is being reimagined. Since arriving in 2024, she has worked to make the Core more accessible, collaborative, and future-focused.

These investments have not only modernized the facility but also elevated its potential to drive high-impact research across disciplines.

It was a proud moment to revisit the history of this extraordinary facility—and even more exciting to see where it’s going next.

Board of Trustees Research Presentations

Two faculty and one undergraduate student highlighted their latest research at BOT meetings held during February and April of this year:

• Howard Crawford & Jenny Klomp – Watch their video presentation on Pancreatic cancer research with Henry Ford + MSU.
• Veona Cutinho, Genomics – Watch her video presentation on The power of undergraduate research.

MSU Supercomputer Celebrates 20 Years of Accelerating Discovery