phd msu

Department of Economics

PhD Programs

• Ph.D. Program

The Ph.D. program in MSU’s Department of Economics is a leader in economic research and training, routinely being ranked between the 25th and 35th best economics departments in the United States according to U.S. News & World Report. According to the current Research Papers in Economics (RePEc) rankings, MSU is 24 th in the United States and is in the top-three in the Big 10 in Econometrics, International, Labor, Micro, and Public. For additional rankings, see the  American Economic Association .

We recognize that the best education comes from building a strong theoretical and econometrics foundation and working closely with faculty members and fellow classmates. As a department, we have taken steps to maximize these opportunities by offering competitive support packages, keeping field class sizes small, and fostering a collaborative environment within and between cohorts.

Our goal is that students will leave MSU with the research tools, experience, and professional network necessary to succeed in their desired careers. Recent graduates have gone on to work in tenure-track positions at top research institutions (Rutgers, Georgia Tech, Arizona, Oregon State, Iowa State, Melbourne, Essex), top government agencies (Census, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Food and Drug Administration, Securities and Exchange Commission, U.S. Government Accountability Office), and top private sector firms (Abt, Amazon, Citi, J.P. Morgan, Mathematica).

• Dual Doctoral Degrees

Course Selection

While our course selection changes from year to year, we have structured the program so that we can offer at least one course in all of our primary fields each year:

• Microeconomic Theory
• Macroeconomics
• Development
• Econometrics
• Environmental and Resource
• Industrial Organization
• International Trade

In addition to working on topics in these primary fields, we frequently have students working in secondary fields, including Aging, Behavioral, Education, and Health. Please see Michigan State University's  schedule of courses for a complete and up-to-date course offering.

Funding Information

All admitted students are automatically considered for funding and fellowships. In recent years, all admitted students received some form of funding, ranging from university-wide fellowships that require no teaching to teaching and research assistantships. We will communicate a student’s funding offer in the official admissions offer letter.

For more information, please contact Scott Imberman , Director of Graduate Studies, or Jay Feight , Graduate Program Coordinator. 

• Application Info
• Past Ph.D. Placements
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Ph.D. in Communication

Founded in 1961, the Doctorate in Communication at Michigan State University has consistently been the most prestigious communication degree in the world. The focus of MSU’s Ph.D. in Communication is the scholarly analysis of social processes, with an emphasis on the characteristics of the messages and channels. This fully funded four-year program is organized around a set of experiences intended to maximize creative growth and development, and to provide students with the skills needed to succeed and thrive in an intellectual community.

Program specializations include social network analysis, social media, communication analytics, mass communication, persuasion and social influence, health and risk communication, interpersonal and group communication, diffusion of innovations, organizational communication and quantitative research methods.

Program Accolades

Michigan State University is ranked #3 in the world by ShanghaiRanking for Communication, and QS World University rankings place MSU 9th in the world and 6th in the U.S. in Communication and Media Studies. 

• Productive World Class PhD Faculty
• Recent Graduate Placements
• Doctoral Program Reputation Survey

COM researchers rank first in latest research productivity study published in the Journal of Communication , which analyzed authorship of articles published between 1999-2004 in eight leading journals sponsored by NCA and ICA. MSU was number one in publications by current faculty and students and #1 in publications by doctoral alumni.

COM placed 11 faculty and doctoral alumni among the top 50 most productive researchers in two dozen communication journals from 1996-2001, according to a study published in Communication Research Reports.

Our alumni network is one of the most closely integrated in the field, and our graduates are highly sought after in academic and industry positions, such as these recent placements:  The Ohio State University; Albion College; University at Buffalo; University of North Carolina; Montana State University; University of Georgia; Bethany Lutheran College; Yale Program on Climate Change Communication; California State Long Beach; Georgia State University; Sam Houston State University; The MITRE Corporation; Guangming School, China University; University of Hawai'i at Manoa; StoryFit; University of Arkansas; Haworth Inc.; University of Massachusetts, Boston; University of Alabama at Birmingham

The Michigan State Department of Communication has been directly associated with the careers of more ICA Fellows than any other university , including current faculty members Monique Turner, Ron Tamborini, and Jim Dearing, and former faculty members Patrice Buzzanell, Sandi Smith, Everett Rogers, Steve Wilson, Charles Berger, Michael Burgoon, Joe Cappella, Akiba Cohen, Brenda Dervin, Randy Harrison, Judee Burgoon, Peter Monge, Byron Reeves, Joe Walther, Frank Boster, William Donohue, Marshall Scott Poole, Jim McCroskey, Brad Greenberg, GR Miller, James Dillard, Edward L. Fink, Robert Craig and Mike Roloff.

Current and former COM faculty have won one-third of ICA mentor awards for doctoral advising, more than any other university:  GR Miller, Brad Greenberg, Frank Boster, Judee Burgoon, Edward L. Fink and Peter Monge.

With a longstanding combination of renowned faculty, productive scholars and successful alumni, our doctoral program continues to receive key awards and consistently ranks at the top in terms of reputation and journal productivity. In the 2004 NCA reputation survey of "effectiveness of Ph.D. program", MSU ranked #1 in health communication, #1 in communication and technology, #2 in mass communication, #4 in interpersonal and small group communication, and #4 in international and intercultural communication. MSU had the top average rating score among the subset of comprehensive doctoral programs with at least five specialties.

During their four years in the program, students work closely with faculty members and other graduate students on ongoing collaborative research projects where they gain skills in collaborating with others, experience working with a research team and securing funding for new research. Students learn how to generate independent hypotheses and research designs, the critical importance of real-world relevancy in keeping with the land-grant tradition and the art of working together with others in teams for common objectives.

Learn more about the collaborative labs and learning spaces in our department

Meet our current students.

Some of the sharpest minds in the world are currently pursuing their doctorate in the Department of Communication at Michigan State University.

Learn more about them

Information for Current Students

Featured news from the department, shank wins ‘excellence-in-teaching-citations’ award with attentive communication philosophy.

Communication Ph. D. candidate Scott Shank is a 2024 recipient of MSU’s Excellence-In-Teaching Citations award.

Communication Student Gets Taste of Future Career in Running Restaurant Socials

ComArtSci Presents Fourth Annual Excellence in Communication Scholarship Lecture Series

PhD Student Awarded Prestigious NIH Summer Internship Program

Navigating the 2023 Holiday Season

Additional information about the Ph.D. program in Communication may be obtained from:

Lisabeth Bylina Academic Programs [email protected] 517-355-3471

472 ComArtSci Building 404 Wilson Rd. East Lansing, MI 48824

Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences College of Social Science

Geography - doctor of philosophy.

The Ph.D. program in geography is designed to develop the student's ability to conduct original research with special reference to the understanding of scientific inquiry, knowledge of the geographic discipline, understanding of a specialized area of geography such as people/environment, physical geography, regional development, or economic–regional science, proficiency with analytical and technical skills particularly with respect to spatial data analysis and manipulation, and skills in communicating the results of research.

Admission to the doctoral program is based upon an evaluation of the student's academic records related to both the bachelor's and master's degrees, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores, letters of recommendation, written statements, and other pertinent information such as professional experience and related achievements. Typical entrants to the doctoral program present a grade–point average of 3.60 or higher in a recognized master's degree program, which usually includes a thesis, and satisfactory scores on the GRE.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Geography

The student must:

College of Agriculture & Natural Resources School of Packaging

Phd degree program.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Packaging provides a broad education with specialized training in one of the areas of study such as: 

• Product and/or package damage in the physical distribution environment
• Barrier characteristics of packaging systems and materials
• Quality preservation and storage stability of packaged products
• Mechanical properties of packaging materials and systems
• Distribution packaging
• Packaging systems development and optimization
• Medical/pharmaceutical packaging
• Human factors in packaging
• Packaging in business and marketing
• Environmental impacts of packaging

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the student must meet the requirements specified below.

To be admitted to the PhD Degree Program in Packaging on regular status, a student must have:

• Completed a master's degree program in packaging, or in a related science or engineering area, for which a thesis was required, or a completed bachelor's degree in packaging or related science or engineering area with significant intensive research experience such as having peer-reviewed journal publications as the main author, or conducting several semesters of research work.
• A grade–point average of at least 3.4 for the bachelor's or master's degree program.
• Acceptable scores on the GRE General Test.
• Have a School of Packaging faculty member willing to serve as the student's major advisor.

Provisional admission may be granted to an applicant who does not meet the above requirements but shows outstanding potential.

Guidance Committee

Each student must, with the approval and assistance of their major professor, form a guidance committee consisting of at least four regular faculty members (including the major professor), three must be School of Packaging faculty, and one must be from another department within MSU or from outside the MSU community with special approval. The guidance committee must be formed within the first two semesters of doctoral study. It will meet periodically as needed during the student’s course of study, preferably twice per year, including for administration of the comprehensive examination, and the final dissertation defense.

Program Requirements

Requirements for the PhD Degree Program in Packaging as of FS21 - The student must:                                                                                                                       

• Complete one of the following courses (3 credits):
• PKG 805 Advanced Packaging Dynamics, 3 credits
• PKG 815 Permeability Shelf Life, 3 credits
• Complete both of the following courses (7 credits):
• PKG 825 Polymeric Packaging Materials, 4 credits
• PKG 860 Research Methods, 3 credits
• Complete an additional 3 credits of 800-level Packaging courses excluding PKG 890.
• Complete 24 to 36 credits in PKG 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research.
• Pass both a written and an oral comprehensive examination.
• Complete a dissertation in one of the following areas of packaging: material science applications in packaging, food packaging, healthcare packaging, mass transport applications, or the dynamics and physical distribution aspects or human factors in packaging.
• Successfully defend the dissertation

Additional courses must be completed as specified by the student’s guidance committee and indicated in GradPlan.

It is expected that the program will consist of a minimum of 45 credits. Students are admitted to the PhD Degree Program only in the Fall Semester.

Application Requirements

Request more information degree program inquiry, graduate degree information, department information.

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Department of Psychology College of Social Science

Intellectually curious • creativity & innovation • collaboration & inclusion, work closely with outstanding faculty and top performing fellow graduate students. be supported in your research, build your professional network, and grow in your career and as a person., we are home to approximately 80 graduate students with an incredible array of interests. we believe that a collaborative and collegial environment fosters high-quality research. our graduates have gone on to excellent careers in academia, major corporations, government, and other organizations., the psychology department offers the following graduate degrees:.

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology

Obtain a PhD in Psychology from Michigan State University by focusing their scholarship within one of these six on-campus graduate programs:

Click here for more information for prospective students.

Master of Science in Work and Organizational Psychology (Online)

Learn from top experts in the field of organizational psychology and receive cutting-edge training and practical, hands-on experience that will set you apart in the job market. Be prepared for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

The first cohort will begin August 2025. Applications opening soon.

Learn more today.

Master of Arts in Program Evaluation (Online)

Be equipped with skills to determine if programs are working and how they can be improved. Skilled evaluators are in high demand—this practical, hands on program will give you the first-hand experience you need to excel in this growing field.

Get started today.

Graduate Certificate in Program Evaluation (Online)

Advance your skills and credentials with this certificate that can be tailored to meet your unique educational needs.

Read a note from director of the MSU Psychology Ph.D. Programs.

Hear directly from a number of our incredible alumni., learn about our excellent graduate students nearing the end of their ph.d. programs..

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Note about program modes

* Program modes noted (online, on-campus and hybrid) reflect the instructional format for programs during typical academic years. Individual courses may be offered in person, or in online or hybrid formats, as determined by instructors and to meet the needs of students. Check with individual program coordinators for more details.

Doctoral Programs

*Rankings shown are based on the most recent U.S. News & World Report ranking of graduate programs (doctoral) and online master's programs in education, with the exception of Rehabilitation Counsleing, which was last ranked in 2023. Complementary bachelor's-level programs are also listed as among those ranked. The Kinesiology rankings are from the National Academy of Kinesiology.

Last updated: April 2024

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Ph.D. in Finance

Distinguish yourself as a leading finance scholar..

Our Ph.D. in Finance program educates and empowers students as they develop into leading industry scholars. We deliver a comprehensive curriculum paired with a hands-on research approach that involves doctoral students in research projects with faculty members early in their degree program.

Finance Doctoral Student Handbook

Curriculum Overview

The research interests of the department cover all of the major areas of finance, including corporate finance, behavioral finance, international finance, financial intermediation, financial markets, portfolio theory, empirical investments and theoretical asset pricing.

All students who enter the Ph.D. in Finance program choose a program of study in consultation with the department’s doctoral program director. A typical student’s program covers a broad range of topics, including microeconomics, econometrics, corporate finance and investments (outlined below).

Semester 1 (Fall)

• Economics 812A: Microeconomics I
• Economics 820A: Econometrics IA
• Finance 891: Topics in Finance

Semester 2 (Spring)

• Economics 812B: Microeconomics II
• Economics 820B: Econometrics IB
• Finance 982: Finance Theory

First Summer Research

• Research-related activity under supervision of faculty.

Semester 3 (Fall)

• Finance 981: Corporate Finance Theory
• Economics 821A: Cross Section Econometrics I
• Free Elective

Semester 4 (Spring)

• Finance 982: Investment Theory
• Finance 983: Financial Econometrics
• Economics 821B: Cross Section Econometrics III

Second Summer

Comprehensive exams are taken during late spring. After passing this exam, the student can begin working on the doctoral dissertation under the supervision of an individual faculty member.

Years 3 and 4 (and 5, if necessary)

Student conducts individual research, culminating in a doctoral dissertation. The dissertation proposal and defense are oral presentations made before the student’s dissertation committee.

Dive Deeper

• How to Apply

Students are admitted to the finance doctoral program only for the fall semester and on a full-time basis. Find out more about admission criteria and the application process.

Faculty-student collaboration is a significant part of the Broad experience. Finance doctoral students have the opportunity to work with some of the top researchers across multiple disciplines. Find out more about the research opportunities for finance doctoral students at MSU.

The finance faculty at Michigan State University are outstanding in their field and have diverse research interests. Meet our faculty currently working with Ph.D. students in the finance doctoral program.

See a roster of current doctoral students in the program as well as a listing of our graduates’ placements at research institutions across the globe over the last decade.

Tuition and Financial Aid

All admitted students (domestic and international) are eligible for a graduate assistantship. In the past all admitted students have been guaranteed four years of financial support, including a tuition credit and a monthly stipend. Students typically find that the stipend is sufficient to cover their living expenses. Eligible students may receive a fifth year of support, if required.

At the present time, all finance doctoral students receive financial support from the department, the college, and/or various external organizations. Our goal is to provide every student admitted to the program with a graduate assistantship. The assistantship is usually at a half-time level, requiring the student to work as a teaching and/or research assistant for twenty hours a week. Renewal of financial assistance is contingent on satisfactory progress in the program and on funding availability.

Assistantships include a nine-credit-hour tuition waiver for each of the fall and spring semesters, a four-credit-hour tuition waiver for the summer session, a waiver for the out-of-state portion of tuition for non-Michigan residents and health insurance. The waiver does not include registration fees or other fees. The typical assistantship currently pays approximately $25,000 for duties assigned during the academic year.

Depending on funding and our teaching needs, we are typically able to offer most Ph.D. in Finance students an additional $5,000 assistantship over the summer for teaching. To be eligible for a teaching assignment, all international students must pass an oral English test (the SPEAK test) administered by Michigan State.

Since all admitted students typically receive funding, international students do not need to include the “Affidavit of Support” form with their application. Further details on the terms of assistantships will be provided to all students who are offered admission.

Contact Information

• Department of Finance
• Eppley Center
• 667 N Shaw Ln Rm 315
• East Lansing, MI 48824
• Phone: (517) 353-1745

Frequently Asked Questions

Program overview.

We are looking for students who have strong analytical minds, yet who are also creative thinkers. We find that some of these students have come from traditional business programs, but many others come from more quantitative fields, including engineering, economics, math, statistics and the natural sciences. Students with business education backgrounds should make sure that they have the quantitative skills to survive in a Ph.D. finance program. Students with more quantitative backgrounds should make sure that they are familiar with MBA-level finance and are committed to using their quantitative skills to tackle finance research questions.

No. The finance program is an extremely intense program requiring a large time investment. Most of our students find that they study at least twice as many hours a week as they did during their undergraduate or master’s studies.

Historically, more than half of our students are international, drawn primarily from Europe and Asia. Many of our international students have a prior degree from a U.S. school. Most, but not all, of our recent students have a master’s degree. Our students’ prior degrees are quite diverse and include engineering, economics, math, statistics and finance.

We train students for research and teaching careers. Most graduates have secured positions at U.S. or international universities. A small number of students have chosen to pursue careers in consulting or industry. See the Students and Placements page for more information.

No. A degree from a U.S. school will exempt you from the TOEFL requirement.

We have no set cutoff for GMAT scores. However, we do look at these scores very closely. The average score of our most recent group of admitted students was 713. Unless a student has a very strong prior academic record, admission with a score below 650 is very unlikely.

We prefer the GMAT, but we are willing to accept a GRE score instead of the GMAT. We look at all scores on the GRE test, with an emphasis on the quantitative section. Our typical admitted student will have GRE scores in the 95th percentile or above. Unless a student has a very strong prior academic record, admission with an overall score below the 90th percentile is highly unlikely.

Absolutely not. A few students have practical work experience in the financial sector. This experience often helps them in identifying research projects and/or data sets. However, many students have no past job experience. Finance research is highly theoretical and statistical and requires a very different skill set than what is typically needed in the business world.

We typically receive 100–200 applications in any given year. We generally admit four to six students for study in a given fall semester. Competition for spots in the program is intense.

Financial Aid

All admitted students (domestic and international) are eligible for a graduate assistantship. In the past, all admitted students have been guaranteed four years of financial support, including a tuition credit, health insurance coverage, and a monthly stipend. Students typically find that the stipend is sufficient to cover their living expenses. In most cases, students can receive a fifth year of support, if required.

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PhD in Nursing

PhD: Advancing the profession through research

The PhD program at the MSU College of Nursing is for those nurses who wish to become scientists while advancing their career — and the profession — through research and evidence-based nursing practice.

The college offers full-time, part-time, and hybrid options for the PhD in Nursing program, and is highly customizable to the student's area of research interest.

MEET OUR STUDENTS   or   READ TESTIMONIALS

The college currently focuses on three areas of research:

Health promotion and illness prevention;, symptom science and management; and, health services research, view some of our research here.

Andrea Doseff, PhD

• Immunity and Inflammation
• College of Human Medicine
• College of Osteopathic Medicine
• College of Natural Science
• Neuroscience Program
• Integrated Pharmacological Sciences Training Program
• Environmental & Integrative Toxicological Sciences Training Program
• Plant Biology for Health and Sustainability Program
• Postdoc, , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (1996—1998)
• PhD, Genetics, Stony Brook University/Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (1990—1995)
• Transcriptome reprogramming through alternative splicing triggered by apigenin drives cell death in triple-negative breast cancer. Cell Death & Disease (2023-12-13)
• Tart Cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) Pit Extracts Protect Human Skin Cells against Oxidative Stress: Unlocking Sustainable Uses for Food Industry Byproducts. Foods (2023-10-12)
• Tart Cherry ( Prunus cerasus L.) Pit Extracts Protect Human Skin Cells against Oxidative Stress: Unlocking Sustainable Uses for Food Industry Byproducts. Foods (2023)
• Role of Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins in the Cancer-Immune Landscape. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023-03-07)
• Arachidin-1, a Prenylated Stilbenoid from Peanut, Enhances the Anticancer Effects of Paclitaxel in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Cancers (2023-01-07)
• Use of microfluidic organ-on-a-chip systems for the screening and development of phytopharmaceuticals and herbal drugs. Phytopharmaceuticals and Herbal Drugs: Prospects and Safety Issues in the Delivery of Natural Products (2023)
• Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms of Dietary Flavones: Tapping into Nature to Control Chronic Inflammation in Obesity and Cancer. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2022)
• Ibrutinib Blocks YAP1 Activation and Reverses BRAF Inhibitor Resistance in Melanoma Cells. Molecular Pharmacology (2022)
• Bioengineering of Genetically Encoded Gene Promoter Repressed by the Flavonoid Apigenin for Constructing Intracellular Sensor for Molecular Events. Biosensors (2021)
• Bioengineering of genetically encoded gene promoter repressed by the flavonoid apigenin for constructing intracellular sensor for molecular events. Biosensors (2021)
• Splicing reprogramming of TRAIL/DISC-components sensitizes lung cancer cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Cell Death & Disease (2021-03-17)
• Bioengineering of genetically encoded gene promoter repressed by flavonoids for constructing intracellular sensor for molecular events. (2021-02-18)
• Erratum: Core promoter plasticity between maize tissues and genotypes contrasts with predominance of sharp transcription initiation sites (Plant Cell (2015) 27 (3309-3320) DOI: 10.1105/tpc.15.00630). Plant Cell (2021)
• Apigenin by targeting hnRNPA2 sensitizes triple-negative breast cancer spheroids to doxorubicin-induced apoptosis and regulates expression of ABCC4 and ABCG2 drug efflux transporters. Biochemical Pharmacology (2020)
• Discovery of modules involved in the biosynthesis and regulation of maize phenolic compounds. Plant Science (2020)
• The targeted impact of flavones on obesity-induced inflammation and the potential synergistic role in cancer and the gut microbiota. Molecules (2020)
• Dietary flavonoids for immunoregulation and cancer: Food design for targeting disease. Antioxidants (2019)
• Flavonoids: New frontier for immuno-regulation and breast cancer control. Antioxidants (2019)
• Whole-Genome Multi-omic Study of Survival in Patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme. G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics (2018-11-01)
• Whole-genome multi-omic study of survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme. G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics (2018)
• Genome-wide TSS identification in Maize. Methods in Molecular Biology (2018)
• MicroRNAs targeting caspase-3 and -7 in PANC-1 cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2018)
• A Maize Gene Regulatory Network for Phenolic Metabolism. Molecular Plant (2017)
• Emerging Roles of Flavonoids in Brain Health. Phytopharmaceuticals for Brain Health (2017)
• Lipidomic Adaptations in White and Brown Adipose Tissue in Response to Exercise Demonstrate Molecular Species-Specific Remodeling. Cell Reports (2017)
• Dietary apigenin exerts immune-regulatory activity in vivo by reducing NF-κB activity, halting leukocyte infiltration and restoring normal metabolic function. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2016)
• Establishing the Architecture of Plant Gene Regulatory Networks. Methods in Enzymology (2016)
• Flavones: From biosynthesis to health benefits. Plants (2016)
• MYB31/MYB42 Syntelogs Exhibit Divergent Regulation of Phenylpropanoid Genes in Maize, Sorghum and Rice. Scientific Reports (2016)
• Core promoter plasticity between maize tissues and genotypes contrasts with predominance of sharp transcription initiation sitesopen. Plant Cell (2015)
• Dietary apigenin reduces LPS-induced expression of miR-155 restoring immune balance during inflammation. Molecular Nutrition and Food Research (2015)
• Distinct contribution of protein kinase Cδ and protein kinase Cε in the lifespan and immune response of human blood monocyte subpopulations. Immunology (2015)
• Flavonoid dietetics: Mechanisms and emerging roles of plant nutraceuticals. Pigments in Fruits and Vegetables (2015)
• Important biological information uncovered in previously unaligned reads from chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments (ChIP-Seq). Scientific Reports (2015)
• Apigenin in combination with Akt inhibition significantly enhances thyrotropin-stimulated radioiodide accumulation in thyroid cells. Thyroid (2014)
• Flavone-rich maize: An opportunity to improve the nutritional value of an important commodity crop. Frontiers in Plant Science (2014)
• The Maize TFome - Development of a transcription factor open reading frame collection for functional genomics. Plant Journal (2014)
• Apigenin protects endothelial cells from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation by decreasing caspase-3 activation and modulating mitochondrial function. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2013)
• Chaperone peptides of α-crystallin inhibit epithelial cell apoptosis, protein insolubilization, and opacification in experimental cataracts. Journal of Biological Chemistry (2013)
• Molecular basis for the action of a dietary flavonoid revealed by the comprehensive identi fication of apigenin human targets. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (2013)
• Apigenin induces DNA damage through the PKCδ-dependent activation of ATM and H2AX causing down-regulation of genes involved in cell cycle control and DNA repair. Biochemical Pharmacology (2012)
• Caspase-11 Promotes the Fusion of Phagosomes Harboring Pathogenic Bacteria with Lysosomes by Modulating Actin Polymerization. Immunity (2012)
• Flavone deglycosylation increases their anti-inflammatory activity and absorption. Molecular Nutrition and Food Research (2012)
• Inhibition of ROS-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells by nitrone spin traps via induction of phase II enzymes and suppression of mitochondria- dependent pro-apoptotic signaling. Biochemical Pharmacology (2012)
• Asc-dependent and independent mechanisms contribute to restriction of Legionella pneumophila infection in murine macrophages. Frontiers in Microbiology (2011)
• IL-8-induced neutrophil chemotaxis is mediated by Janus kinase 3 (JAK3). FEBS Letters (2011)
• Apigenin-induced apoptosis of leukemia cells is mediated by a bimodal and differentially regulated residue-specific phosphorylation of heat-shock protein-27. Cell Death and Disease (2010)
• Monocytes and macrophages regulate immunity through dynamic networks of survival and cell death. Journal of Innate Immunity (2010)
• The anti-apoptotic function of human αA-crystallin is directly related to its chaperone activity. Cell Death and Disease (2010)
• The role of heat shock protein 27 in bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after lung transplantation. Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation (2010)
• The small heat shock protein 27 is a key regulator of CD8 + CD57 + lymphocyte survival. Journal of Immunology (2010)
• Dysregulation of CD8 + lymphocyte apoptosis, chronic disease, and immune regulation. Frontiers in Bioscience (2009)
• Regulation of monocytes and macrophages cell fate. Frontiers in Bioscience (2009)
• Apigenin blocks lipopolysaccharide-induced lethality in vivo and proinflammatory cytokines expression by inactivating NF-κB through the suppression of p65 phosphorylation. Journal of Immunology (2007)
• Binding of caspase-3 prodomain to heat shock protein 27 regulates monocyte apoptosis by inhibiting caspase-3 proteolytic activation. Journal of Biological Chemistry (2007)
• Apigenin-induced-apoptosis is mediated by the activation of PKCδ and caspases in leukemia cells. Biochemical Pharmacology (2006)
• Keratinocyte growth factor induces Akt kinase activity and inhibits Fas-mediated apoptosis in A549 lung epithelial cells. American Journal of Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology (2005)
• Regulation of monocyte apoptosis by the protein kinase Cδ-dependent phosphorylation of caspase-3. Journal of Biological Chemistry (2005)
• Activated Ets2 is required for persistent inflammatory responses in the motheaten viable model. Journal of Immunology (2004)
• Apoptosis: The sculptor of development. Stem Cells and Development (2004)
• IL-16 is constitutively present in peripheral blood monocytes and spontaneously released during apoptosis. Journal of Immunology (2004)
• Interleukin-4-induced apoptosis entails caspase activation and suppression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology (2003)
• Presentation of nitric oxide regulates monocyte survival through effects on caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation. Journal of Biological Chemistry (2003)
• 15-Deoxy-Δ 12 , 14 -prostaglandin J 2 regulates mesangial cell proliferation and death. Kidney International (2002)
• Monocyte survival factors induce Akt activation and suppress caspase-3. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology (2002)
• Opposing effect by cytokines on Fas-mediated apoptosis in A549 lung epithelial cells. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology (2002)
• Caspase-3-dependent cleavage of Bcl-2 promotes release of cytochrome c. Journal of Biological Chemistry (1999)
• Macrophage colony-stimulating factor promotes cell survival through Akt/protein kinase B. Journal of Biological Chemistry (1999)
• Spontaneous human monocyte apoptosis utilizes a caspase-3-dependent pathway that is blocked by endotoxin and is independent of caspase-1. Journal of Immunology (1999)
• A two-dimensional, diagonal sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis technique to screen for protease substrates in protein mixtures. Analytical Biochemistry (1997)
• LAS1 is an essential nuclear protein involved in cell morphogenesis and cell surface growth. Genetics (1995)
• Somatic excision of the Mu1 transposable element of maize. Nucleic Acids Research (1991)
• Professor, Michigan State University (2017)
• Professor, The Ohio State University (2016—2017)
• Associate Professor, The Ohio State University (2008—2016)
• Assistant Professor , The Ohio State University (2002—2008)
• Research Scientist, The Ohio State University (1998—2002)

College of Engineering

April 22, 2024

900+ Spartan Engineering students to graduate

Alumna rachel hutter, head of disney studios operations, to give spring commencement address.

Michigan State University will host advanced degree and undergraduate commencement ceremonies for more than 900 College of Engineering graduates this weekend.

Both ceremonies are expected to be approximately two hours. There are no admission tickets required.

College of Engineering Dean Leo Kempel said he’s confident all graduates will be able to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.

“I cannot wait to see the incredible accomplishments our graduates will achieve in the years to come,” Kempel said. “My advice is to embrace every career opportunity, continue to learn and grow, and never lose sight of the impact you can make as Spartan Engineers."

Kempel will offer both the welcome and closing remarks at undergraduate graduation.  Amanda Idema, assistant dean for Undergraduate Student Affairs, serves as commencement coordinator.

Ceremony dates, times

Engineering will host graduation services for 805 undergraduates on Sunday, April 28, at 3:30 p.m. in the Breslin Center.

Ashlin Riggs, a computation data science senior, has been named the student commencement speaker.

Charles Dunn, a senior in chemical engineering, will sing the Star-Spangled Banner.

Adwait Paliwal, a computer science senior, will deliver the remarks at convocation.

The Advanced Degree Commencement for master’s degree graduates is Friday, April 26, at 9 a.m. in MSU's Breslin Center. There will be 56 master's candidates from the College of Engineering.

The Advanced Degree Commencement for Ph.D. graduates is Friday, April 26, at 3 p.m. in MSU's Breslin Center.  There will 78 Ph.D. candidates from the college.

Commencement livestream, social media, personal messages

Commencement ceremonies will be livestreamed on the MSU Commencement website:  https://commencement.msu.edu .

Social media users can follow the ceremonies on X, formerly known as Twitter, and other social media platforms using the hashtag #SpartanGrad24.

Family, friends and fellow alums can honor graduating students by submitting personalized messages and photos to be displayed on stage prior to the ceremonies. Supporters can submit their well wishes online now through graduation day. 

The link to sumbit messages that recognize College of Engineering graduates:  https://app.kululu.com/nu8wd9 .

Safety protocols, parking, concessions

For the safety of attendees, no bags or purses will be allowed in Breslin Center during commencement ceremonies. Cameras and camcorders are permitted, but cases are prohibited.

No food or beverages — including bottled water — will be allowed, and this applies to graduates, guests, and faculty. Breslin Center will offer a limited concessions menu during the ceremonies.

Related links:

• MSU Commencement website
• More than 9,500 Spartans to graduate this spring
• Dantonio, influential leaders to address spring graduates

Additional prohibited items: noisemakers, selfie sticks, pets, signs and weapons of any kind. MSU is a smoke-free campus, including all outdoor and indoor spaces.

Metal detectors will screen all attendees at Breslin Center, so please plan accordingly.

Parking at the Breslin Center is limited, so the public is encouraged to use the free shuttle service.

Distinguished Alumni keynote address

Rachel S. Hutter will offer the undergraduate keynote address as the 2024 Claud R. Erickson Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient. Hutter will receive the College of Engineering’s top honor at the  Engineering Alumni Awards banquet on Saturday, April 27.

Hutter is head of studio operations for Walt Disney Studios and is a licensed professional engineer and certified safety professional. 

Hutter joined Disney in 1997 and was part of the team that built and  opened Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

As head of Disney studio operations, Hutter’s responsibilities include planning and tracking content for Marvel, Lucasfilm, Disney Live-Action, Disney Animation, Pixar, 20th Century Studios and Searchlight Pictures.

Hutter graduated from Michigan State University in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and had a concentration in theater.

Programs available online, via mail

There are no printed commencement programs on-site at any ceremony location. However, attendees will be able to access the programs by scanning QR codes with their mobile device.

To order a program and have it mailed to you, visit the MSU commencement website. Programs will be mailed after the ceremonies.

Written by Eric Lacy, [email protected]. See more at the Engineering Media and Public Relations page.

School of Social Work College of Social Science

Msw alumna bunny berman reflects on a lifetime of service and learning.

April 16, 2024 - Shelly DeJong and Brandon Drain

Content Warning: This Q and A mentions child abuse and incest 

Can you walk us through the origins of your passion to help others? How and when did this arise?  

My passion to help others was a piece of my life since childhood. I would have garage sales, lemonade stands, etc... and give to various charities. I come from a long line of relatives who were charitable and taught me the importance of giving to others.  

When I was 12 years old, I volunteered at a camp in my hometown and there was a young boy, four years old, who was being physically abused by his mother. He always wore a long-sleeved shirt, wouldn't swim and did not interact with other children. One day, he ran off into the woods at the camp and being the volunteer, I was asked to go find him. I found him sitting on a log crying. He began to talk to me, and he took off his shirt, his back was scarred with iron marks, and he told me that his mother puts the hot iron on his back. It is a sight that I can remember like yesterday, and it was 52 years ago.  

That began my curiosity, as well as my passion, for wanting to understand both the perpetrator of this abuse as well as helping the victim. As I called the police and dealt with his very delicate matter, I found myself having empathy for all involved. I was fired from that camp as I was told, "this was none of my business". I was not able to comprehend that, believing it was everyone's business to help this little boy.  That began my desire and goals for the future.   

From your perspective, what unique qualities did you derive from studying in both the psychology and social work realms? How have those two schools of thought and practice refined your skillset?  

Studying both psychology and social work gave me a wide and varied perspective for my future career goals. I had an amazing education at Michigan State University and to this day, I am so grateful for it.  Learning the psychological perspective of human behaviors was an integral part of my foundation for getting my MSW and being able to help individual's in so many ways, with the knowledge that was needed to ensure client's needs were being met and they were being heard. Psychology coupled with social work, allowed me to see situations from all angles, the behavioral issues, the power of our minds, as well as the community issues that is an integral part of individual's actions/reactions.   

Can you briefly describe what you’ve been up to since graduating in 1984?  

I graduated in 1984 with my MSW. I worked at the St. Vincent Home for Children in East Lansing after graduation and loved being there and being involved with the children. We introduced a therapeutic foster care program at that time, and I was able to be a part of working with foster parents and the adolescents to try to foster a connection and establish healthy relationships. This was quite a challenge, yet there were some successes stories. Shortly after working there, I moved to Florida. My family had moved to Florida when I was a freshman, however, I stayed at MSU to finish my education as I loved it there. My father passed away unexpectedly at a very young age, and I then moved to Florida to help my mother with my 2 younger sisters and to regroup as a family. This was a very difficult time in my life, as I loved East Lansing and had anticipated that it would be my forever home, but as I have since learned, "life happens" when you least expect it. So, in January of 1985, I relocated to Florida.    

I then obtained a position in a program that was being newly developed for families in which incest had occurred. It was the Family Sexual Abuse Treatment Program (F.S.A.T.P.) and it was very exciting to be part of the ground floor of developing a much-needed program. We were awarded a federal grant and that program continued for many years and was the precursor to all the child abuse services in Palm Beach County. It was amazing to be part of a team and watch what has developed because of the risk we took to develop a highly controversial program.   

During that time, I got married, and adopted two children. My daughter is from Florida and my son is from Guatemala. I decided at that point that it was important to me to stay home and raise my children. They both came home with various issues, and I ended up home-schooling them, which was quite an adventure. Both with various medical issues, which kept our family busy, I learned more from them than anything I had ever done. At that point in time, I realized that it was important to see the world through the eyes of the individual you are talking to, not through the judgement of your own. So, now I look through the eyes of others to help them regain their own self-respect, helping them to find passion and purpose in their lives.   

After I was divorced in 2014, I reentered the work force full time, as I had always had a small private practice to help those that couldn't afford treatment elsewhere. My pay was often an apple pie, some baked goods, or a picture that was colored for me. All I knew is that somehow it would all work out and everyone deserves help.  

Can you tell us about the book you published? And why was it important for you to write this book?  

From 2014 to this day, I have run various substance abuse and mental health recovery centers. One day, when sitting with a coworker, talking about a book I wanted to write that was to be titled, "More Than a Junkie". I wasn't happy with the direction of that, as so many write about the opiate epidemic, family members that have substance use issues and I wanted it to be different -- to be a simple yet passionate true story. Helping those with the disease of addiction as well as their family members. I wanted to write something that anyone could understand and relate to. So, in jest, I said to him, "What if my couch could talk?" As we were sharing the stories of the people in recovery that had sat on my couch to heal. At that moment, I knew that my book was "born".   

Writing the book, with my couch as the narrator, gives readers an in-depth and out of the box way to relate to understanding the disease of addiction, and is aimed to help many along the journey, to let go of judgement and embrace those that need them. Enabling each individual to be on a journey of self-discovery, sobriety, reconnecting with others and finding their own passion and purpose which is the cornerstone to living a clean/sober life.  

From your years of study and practice combined, what would you say is the most common psychological condition we all face, and how can we remedy this?  

In answering your question regarding the most common psychological condition we all face, it is complicated. I think we have become a very selfish society, entitled and technology based. While there are many positive things that have come out of all of this, I also see the negative and how it has changed social interactions, caring, and connections. Unfortunately, this has led to a very anxious world, individuals not trusting each other, not wanting to get to know one another and being suspicious and paranoid of regular interactions. While we work on lessening the stigma of mental health, individuals are trying to deal with anxiety and depression by self-medicating, hence a strong connection to those with substance abuse issues.   

This is an area we could discuss forever, but it doesn't start with this generation, they are the byproduct of a world that has made many changes and most of those changes have taken people away from each other, not brought them closer. The family unit has suffered for years and the increase in mental health issues is part and parcel due to the lack of connection between individuals.   

We remedy this slowly and hope that new students are learning the things I learned at MSU. Individuals deserve compassion, being listened to and validated, not judged. I have not found the online programs that so many now attend for their master's degree to be anywhere near the exceptional education and experiences I had at MSU.   

What’s your favorite MSU memory?  

It's hard to pick a favorite memory over my six years at MSU. It was a wonderful time in my life. I went to school among the now famous, "Magic" Johnson when he was still "Earvin" for a while, I was someone who helped by taking his science notes. The campus is gorgeous and the times on the Red Cedar River were peaceful. The professors in the graduate program were the best, and my classes with Dr. Marilyn Frye, Dr. Joe Miller, and Ruth Koehler, and meeting Dr. Joel Bergman, were among some of my greatest memories. The concerts, football games, beating the University of Michigan, El Azteco Mexican restaurant and just the comradery of being a Spartan.   

What do you wish you had known as a student?  

There is nothing that I wished I knew as a student. I feel that I had a wonderful education that I am very proud of. I have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 1987 and feel that I had the foundation from being a Spartan to lead me to where I am today.   

As for me now, at this stage of my life, I am 63 years old, have found the soulmate of my life and am engaged, continue to work in the field of recovery, have two grown children that I am very proud of, my daughter married with two children, (my most precious grandsons) and my son engaged. I continue to enjoy helping others find their passion and purpose, love writing and hope to continue with another book, enjoy spending time with my family and most of all am grateful to have found my soulmate at this later time in my life.   

Facility for Rare Isotope Beams

At michigan state university, frib hosts nobel prize-winning physicist for talk on modern metric system.

FRIB is hosting William Phillips, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, for a special talk titled “The Quantum Reform of the Modern Metric System.” The talk, part of FRIB’s  Advanced Studies Gateway initiative, will take place 1 p.m. on Sunday, 5 May, via Zoom. Those interested in attending the free public event can register  online .

Phillips’ presentation will discuss reforms being made to the metric system based on quantum concepts.

William D. Phillips received a bachelor’s degree in physics from Juniata College in 1970, and a PhD from the  Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1976. After two years as a Chaim Weizmann postdoctoral fellow at MIT, he joined the  National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)—then known as the National Bureau of Standards—to work on precision electrical measurements and fundamental constants. There, he initiated a new research program to cool atomic gases with laser light. He founded NIST’s Laser Cooling and Trapping Group, and later was a founding member of the  Joint Quantum Institute , a cooperative research organization of NIST and the  University of Maryland that is devoted to the study of quantum coherent phenomena. 

Phillips’ research group has been responsible for developing some of the main techniques now used for laser-cooling and cold-atom experiments in laboratories around the world. Their achievements include the first electromagnetic trapping of neutral atoms; reaching unexpectedly low laser-cooling temperatures, within a millionth of a degree of Absolute Zero; the confinement of atoms in optical lattices; and coherent atom-optical manipulation of atomic-gas Bose-Einstein condensates. Atomic fountain clocks, based on the work of this group, are now the primary standards for world timekeeping and lattice-trapped atoms are among the likely candidates for future primary frequency standards. Among the group’s current research directions are the use of ultra-cold atoms for quantum information processing and quantum simulation of important physical problems.

Phillips is a fellow of the American Physical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is a Fellow and Honorary Member of OPTICA (formerly the Optical Society), a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and a corresponding member of the Mexican Academy of Sciences. In 1997, Phillips shared the Nobel Prize in Physics "for development of methods to cool and trap atoms with laser light."

The Advanced Studies Gateway is an initiative at FRIB that brings together researchers, innovators, creative thinkers, artists, and performers from all fields and strengthens ties between Michigan State University and the community. Activities include research workshops as well as public talks, concerts, and special events that are free and open to the public. 

For information about accessible accommodations and the Advanced Studies Gateway at FRIB and, visit  frib.msu.edu/gateway .

Michigan State University operates FRIB as a user facility for the DOE Office of Science (DOE-SC), supporting the mission of the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics. Hosting what is designed to be the most powerful heavy-ion accelerator, FRIB enables scientists to make discoveries about the properties of rare isotopes (that is, short-lived nuclei not normally found on Earth), nuclear astrophysics, fundamental interactions, and applications for society, including in medicine, homeland security, and industry. 

Graduate Student Honored for Bringing Hispanic Golden-Age Drama to MSU

• Post published: April 23, 2024

Growing up in Honduras, Oscar Rodriguez Quiroz didn’t have much access to the theatre and it wasn’t until he was 17 that his love for acting began when he saw a performance at the Escuela Nacional de Arte Dramático (National School of Drama) in Honduras.

“These students needed to tell a story without using words and the story could not be longer than five minutes. It was a very simple thing: no lights, no costumes, no makeup, and no words,” Quiroz said. “I was just so impressed by the way they told the story and made it so vividly compelling that I went to the office and asked how to enroll that day.”

Quiroz spent three years at the National School of Drama and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts and Theatre from the University of Guadalajara. He is now a seasoned actor who has performed in many plays and an MFA in Acting Candidate at Michigan State University who is preparing to graduate this spring. “I feel so lucky to have learned from people who might not have had the resources, but they offered you everything they had. That is what is important as a teacher — you need to offer what you have,” Quiroz said. “That’s the same spirit I found here in the Department of Theatre with my acting faculty.”

“What the faculty at MSU are teaching is what I was looking to learn. The MFA program is a program that combines acting with teaching. That made it a simple choice for me to come here. I have learned so much.” Oscar Rodriguez Quiroz

Quiroz, who is a member of the Association of Hispanic Classical Theatre and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, said he chose to come to Michigan State University for his MFA because of the faculty and how the program combines acting with teaching.

“The people make the program, so for me it was very important to be with people I felt supported by and that wanted me to succeed. I feel very lucky to have worked with active faculty who are so supportive of what you want to learn,” Quiroz said. “What the faculty at MSU are teaching is what I was looking to learn. The MFA program is a program that combines acting with teaching. That made it a simple choice for me to come here. I have learned so much.”

Quiroz designed and taught MSU’s first acting course on Hispanic classical theatre, the Introduction to Hispanic Golden Age Drama class, which he taught during the Fall 2023 semester.  

Varg-Sullivan Graduate Award Recipient

Quiroz recently was awarded the 2024 Varg-Sullivan Endowed Graduate Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts. Presented by the College of Arts & Letters at Michigan State University, the Varg-Sullivan Endowed Graduate Awards were established in honor of former Deans of the college, Paul Varg and Richard Sullivan, who dedicated their professional lives to excellence. Recipients of the Outstanding Achievement in the Arts Award are selected based on the best performance/exhibition at a national or international event in the arts.

During his time at MSU, Quiroz has brilliantly melded his historical research on the Golden Age of Hispanic Drama with the artistry of modern performance. A shining example of this is the world premiere of the English translation of Love is the Greater Labyrinth , written by 17th-century Mexican playwright, poet, philosopher, and nun Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. Quiroz was the driving force and director of this world-premiere production that was performed on the campus of Michigan State University during the Fall 2023 semester.

Love is the Greater Labyrinth  was the final play of Inés de la Cruz and is one of only three surviving by this important literary figure who is considered to be the first great Latin American poet and who is even pictured on the 200-peso bill. Quiroz was surprised to learn that this national icon of Mexico wasn’t largely recognized in the United States. He wanted to do something about that and forged both cross-country and cross-college collaborations to bring her work to the MSU Auditorium’s Arena Theatre stage.

Quiroz’s desire to shine a spotlight on Inés de la Cruz’s words began by connecting with the  UCLA Working Group on the Comedia in Translation and Performance and their Diversifying the Classics project , which translated the play from Spanish to English.

“Oscar’s endeavor to bring a world premiere production of a Spanish Golden Age translation to our community created national connections and an international educational experience for the department.” Professor Rob Roznowski and Assistant Professor Alexis Black

The MSU production of the play was part of the MSU Department of Theatre’s Storefront Series, which provides dynamic roles to showcase and challenge acting students. Creative teams are challenged to work with limited resources and shorter rehearsal periods, with an emphasis on writing, acting, and directing. Quiroz also worked with professors from UCLA and MSU’s Department of Romance and Classical Studies to increase the visibility and influence of this project.

“This experience sparked a passion for exposing students to a curriculum that reflects the cultural and historical diversity of theater traditions, thus contributing to broaden their notion of global theater,” Quiroz said. “Several Latine colleagues shared that in all their theater education they have never been taught about any Mexican playwrights in their classical acting classes.”

Department of Theatre faculty Professor Rob Roznowski and Assistant Professor Alexis Black nominated Quiroz for the Varg-Sullivan Endowed Graduate Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts and had this to say about Quiroz and his work on the Love is the Greater Labyrinth  production in their nomination letter:  “The impact of Oscar’s dynamic and inclusive international research and creativity intersected with student and community enrichment during his work for the Department of Theatre’s Storefront Initiative, a series that focuses on growth for our students as actors. Oscar’s endeavor to bring a world premiere production of a Spanish Golden Age translation to our community created national connections and an international educational experience for the department.”

Quiroz had the production professionally filmed and photographed for the UCLA Diversifying the Classics team, which will create opportunities for the project beyond the original scope.

“The Diversifying the Classics team will be able to use these materials to continue to hone their translation and bring this vibrant material to other national and international theatres to perform this play in the future,” Black and Roznowski wrote in their nomination letter. “Through Oscar’s passion for national and international impact, MSU will be an integral part of the growth of a piece of work that increases diversity and inclusion in the Classical theatrical cannon.”

After graduation, Quiroz will be moving to the metro Detroit area to continue his career as both a professor and artist. He has accepted a position at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, where he will be an Assistant Professor of Acting, starting in the Fall 2024 semester.

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Highlight links, change contrast, increase text size, increase letter spacing, readability bar, dyslexia friendly font, increase cursor size, mps students awarded 2024 keegstra and thomashow travel awards.

• Apr 16, 2024

Graduate students Xiaotong Jiang and Bailey Kleven are the 2024 recipients of the Keegstra and Thomashow Travel Awards .

The Keegstra and Thomashow Travel Awards are named for two former directors of the PRL, Kenneth Keegstra and Michael Thomashow. The award annually recognizes two distinguished PRL graduate students and support them in presenting their research at a high-quality research conference. The recipients were announced April 15 at the Anton Lang Memorial Awards Ceremony.

“Presenting research results and networking at meetings is essential to the career of all scientists,” said Christoph Benning , director of the PRL. “This is especially true for young scientists, and this is what the Keegstra and Thomashow award facilitates. On behalf of all at the PRL I am congratulating this year’s awardees.”

Xiaotong Jiang is a member of Jianping Hu’s lab , and is in the Department of Plant Biology and the Molecular Plant Sciences graduate program .

She will be attending the American Society of Plant Biologists 2024 Plant Biology conference in Honolulu, Hawaii. She will present on her research, “Arabidopsis Glyoxylate Reductase 1 is involved in a non-canonical photorespiratory pathway under high light conditions.”

She is looking forward to connecting with and discussing her work with researchers.

“I believe that my experience at the conference will have a long-lasting impact on my career, and the Keegstra/Thomashow travel award is a huge support for this,” Jiang said.

Bailey Kleven is in Gregg Howe’s lab. She is in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and the Molecular Plant Sciences graduate program .

She is attending the 2024 International Conference on Arabidopsis Research (ICAR) in San Diego, California and will present on her research, “Coordination of energy supply and demand by CYCLIN-DEPENDENT KINASE 8.”

“In addition to presenting my current work, I am eager to delve into the latest cutting-edge research, resources, techniques and tools employed within the Arabidopsis community,” Kleven said. “I believe these insights could not only advance my research but also open up possibilities for potential collaborations.”

learn more about the Keegstra and Thomashow Travel Awards

• Tags: Awards students

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Join other graduate women of color and allies who are also navigating the stressors of career search. Tuesday, May 14, 2024 from 11am-2pm

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