BME News

Thirteen Michigan State University College of Engineering faculty members were among those honored Sept. 29 during MSU’s 2026 Faculty Investiture and State of the University at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts.

From coal miners and construction crews to engineered stone countertop fabricators and foundry workers, more than 2.2 million U.S. workers inhale fine particles of rock, sand or coal every day on the job. After years of exposure, trapped dust can cause thick scar tissue to build up inside the lungs leading to long-term lung damage commonly known as black lung or silicosis.

Backed by a new $4.6 million award from the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, Michigan State University researchers are launching a novel project to transform how medications are developed and prescribed for women. This is the first installment of an award worth up to $12.8 million over three years. Researchers from Rutgers, Emory, Tulane, University of Colorado Anschutz, University of Michigan and University of Utah are collaborating with the MSU team to accomplish this goal, which the lead scientist describes as a moon shot.

Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered that neurons in a locust’s brain can distinguish among multiple PFAS compounds, including PFOS, one of the world’s most common “forever chemicals,” at environmentally relevant concentrations.

Aitor Aguirre doesn’t describe his work as futuristic. He describes it as necessary. For decades, scientists have relied on animal models to study heart disease, test drugs and understand how the human heart develops and fails. Those models have been invaluable, but they have limits. A mouse heart is not a human heart. Its electrical rhythms are different. Its physiology is different. Some of the most common human heart conditions simply do not unfold the same way in animals.

Skin-interfaced wearable health technology has a hidden flaw: Many systems work best on smoother skin, which tends to be on younger bodies — not the older adults who often need them most. This is because aging-related changes in skin, including wrinkles, thinning and dryness, can significantly impact the contact and data quality of wearable devices.

After a national search, John Papapolymerou has been recommended as dean of the College of Engineering at Michigan State University, effective June 1, 2026. He will serve as dean designee prior to the June 12 meeting of the MSU Board of Trustees. Papapolymerou has served as interim dean since Oct. 1, 2024.

Eighteen Michigan State University College of Engineering students received first-place awards at the 2026 University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF) at the Breslin Center in April. Students from 14 colleges participated in MSU's premier showcase for undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activity.

From apple orchards and biomedical labs to wastewater systems, electric grids and drone training fields, Spartan Engineering innovation was well represented at the 2026 MSU Innovation Celebration. Hosted by the MSU Innovation Center on April 7 at the Henry Center for Executive Development, the annual event recognizes technologies, startups, research partnerships and inventions emerging from Michigan State University.

Nine of the 21 Michigan State University students and alumni selected for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program are from the College of Engineering.