Research News

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.

What if the food on your plate could be tailored to your body — taking into consideration your individual nutritional needs, how your body processes different foods and even what you like to eat? That is the idea behind precision nutrition, an emerging field that brings together nutrition, agriculture, engineering, food science and technology to better understand how food affects individuals and how the food system can deliver healthier, safer and more sustainable food.

When a phone is lost or stolen, reporting it to a cellular carrier is supposed to prevent unauthorized use. Michigan State University researchers have found that weaknesses in the reporting system itself could potentially be exploited to block legitimate devices from cellular networks.

As quantum technologies move from research laboratories toward real-world applications, Michigan State University is helping prepare the next generation of students to take part.

Michigan State University researchers are developing precision irrigation tools that help farmers make informed decisions, improve crop production and conserve water and energy.

July 2026 was among the driest on record across many parts of Michigan, according to National Weather Service data. When rainfall falls short, growers rely on irrigation to support their crops, making precise water use critical.

Faculty and students from Michigan State University’s Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering brought research, leadership and student innovation to the 2026 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting.

More than 70 Spartans attended the July 12-15 meeting in Indianapolis, delivering more than 60 technical presentations, serving on technical and leadership committees, councils and boards, and competing in research, design and robotics competitions.

More than 200 researchers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and government partners gathered in East Lansing on Aug. 11 for the 2026 Mobility Summit, themed “Michigan Moves: Building the Next Mobility Economy.”

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.

As AI models evolve, we’ve seen how they harness the power of immense volumes of data. However, sometimes they tap into data they shouldn’t. When this happens, the system owner may be ordered by a regulatory agency or court to remove the data. Traditionally, when AI models needed to stop using data, the only reliable option was to rebuild the entire model from scratch. A new learning paradigm contributed by MSU researcher Sijia Liu allows AI models to selectively forget, or “unlearn,” specific data sets without the need to scrap the whole model.

John Albrecht has been named interim associate dean for research for the College of Engineering at Michigan State University. His appointment begins Sept.1, 2026. Albrecht has been a professor in the Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Chemical Engineering and Materials Science since 2012. He has served as the executive director of the University Research Organization (URO) in the MSU Office of Research and Innovation since 2022 and will continue in the leadership role while serving as interim with the college.