New conductive, cotton-based fiber developed for smart textiles
A single strand of fiber developed at WSU has the flexibility of cotton and the electric conductivity of a polymer, called polyaniline
Campus & Community
Computer science project has students singing a new tune
A WSU student team developed an India raga music app for a startup company as part of a senior program that has students work on projects for real-world clients.
SURCA 2024 applications open to WSU undergraduates through Feb. 20
Students can submit abstracts to present their mentored research, scholarship, and creative activity for the Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities this spring.
WSU students find new paths to the Clearwater
Landscape architecture students are developing plans for accessible trails along the Clearwater River in Kamiah, Idaho. They will present their designs at 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 6 on the Pullman campus.
Health Equity Circle helps students realize their power to effect change
A program founded by a faculty member at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine is showing future doctors, nurses, and pharmacists how they can organize to bring about change.
University Affairs
Applications open for spring faculty peer-observation project
A new Washington State University professional-development opportunity for all faculty—the Peer Observation and Co-Mentoring Program—is accepting applications for spring now through Feb. 9.
Mary Rezac resigns as dean of Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Partha Pande, current director of the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, will serve as interim dean while a national search for Rezac’s replacement is conducted.
WSU introduces comprehensive international travel policy
The new policy consolidates information, requirements, and resources for international travelers.
WSU joins the College Cost Transparency Initiative
Washington State University is working alongside hundreds of institutions of higher education to make the cost of college clearer for prospective students.
WSU-related Podcasts
From WSU:
Food safety, WSU stories, science answers for kids, and more—listen to podcasts from Washington State University.
About WSU:A selection of programs about Washington State, produced by alumni and friends.
WSU PodcastsBenefits & Training
WORD Fellows applications open for spring cohort
Faculty system-wide are invited to apply to the Writing Occurring Rhetorically in the Disciplines program to learn ways to design more effective writing instruction.
Faculty invited to apply for spring 2024 LIFT program
In addition to spring WSU Pullman programming, there will be a training open to all faculty hosted on the WSU Vancouver campus in late May 2024.
Awards & Achievements
Engineering and Technology program director receives Fulbright Award to Cameroon
Luna Magpili will be developing and teaching engineering and technology management courses at Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Travaux Publics in Cameroon as part of her Fulbright.
Steve Bollens re-elected WSU faculty legislative representative
The role serves as an institutional and statewide faculty advocate as a member of the Council of Faculty and acts as a liaison between the university, legislators, state officials and other constituent groups.
WSU hospitality and tourism expert Dipra Jha earns international recognition
Jha, a Carson College of Business associate professor, has been named to the International Hospitality Institute’s list of 100 most influential people in U.S. hospitality and travel.
Marshall Scholar finalist Katy Ayers explores fungi
WSU senior Katy Ayers, a bioengineering major minoring in biochemistry and mathematics, is the latest finalist for a Marshall Scholarship to study in the United Kingdom.
Science & Technology
New conductive, cotton-based fiber developed for smart textiles
A single strand of fiber developed at WSU has the flexibility of cotton and the electric conductivity of a polymer, called polyaniline
Exposure to soft robots decreases human fears about working with them
Seeing robots made with soft, flexible parts in action appears to lower people’s anxiety about working with them or even being replaced by them, according to a WSU study.
Grant supports civil engineering workforce development
A WSU research team has received a U.S. Department of Commerce grant to train civil engineering students in emerging technologies as well as in social intelligence to better meet industry needs.
Infection-resistant, 3D‑printed metals developed for implants
A novel surgical implant developed by WSU researchers was able to kill 87% of the bacteria that cause staph infections in laboratory tests.
Food & Agriculture
WSU Extension hosts soil acidity management workshop series
The series includes two online sessions – Nov. 30 and Dec. 19 – with presentations on the latest results from regional soil pH research and creating an acidity management plan.
Heavy duty grasses could replace artificial turf on athletic fields
WSU researchers are stomping, poking, and gouging fields of experimental grasses to find the toughest living turf for future athletic fields.
WSU Extension helps prevent food waste
Extension professionals are tackling the critical issue of food waste across the state in agriculture, households, and even at the landfill level through education and outreach.
Experiencing agriculture firsthand
Students are getting outside their labs and classrooms to tour wheat farms, fruit orchards, vegetable seed farms and USDA inspection facilities.
Health & Medicine
WIC participation helped families better cope with 2022 infant formula shortage
Families enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, were less likely to use potentially unsafe infant feeding practices during the shortage.
First-year pharmacy students learn how to work with non-English speakers
A recent two-day workshop helped familiarize pharmacy students with the multicultural communities they will be serving in Spokane and other West Coast urban centers.
WSU joins national effort supporting Native American healthcare students
Native American students pursuing healthcare careers will have new professional development opportunities with the establishment of WSU’s chapter of the Association of Native American Medical Students.
WSU scientists helping increase recruitment of Native people for Alzheimer’s research
An educational workshop series on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias has drawn the participation of more than 1,000 Native elders from across the U.S.
Veterinary Medicine
Tiny Chihuahua undergoes life-saving heart surgery at WSU
Chihuahua-mix Lola is recovering with her family after a rare heart procedure that can only be performed at specialized facilities like WSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
WSU offers new Veterinary Preventative Health Certificate
The new certificate course, developed by leading experts in the field, equips students 18 and older with the information and skills critical to excelling in the veterinary profession.
WSU partners with sanctuary to diagnose grizzly bear
Thousands of animals come through the doors of WSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital every year, but it is rare when one of those animals is a 400-plus-pound grizzly bear.
WSU launches Junior Veterinary Scribe Certificate
The College of Veterinary Medicine recently started a new certificate program for high school-aged students contemplating careers and secondary education in veterinary medicine.
Arts & Culture
WSU Press book receives critical praise for focus on post‑WWII art
“Montana Modernists” focuses on the artists who redefined the art of the Western United States, shedding the romanticism of the generation that came before them.
The past is not that long ago
Washington State Magazine explores the complicated ties that continue to reverberate between the Pacific Northwest’s indigenous tribes and the first Jesuit priest to the region.
WSU School of Music brings cheer to the Palouse on Dec. 2
Music lovers can usher in the holiday season with WSU School of Music’s Holiday Celebration: “Star of Wonder” at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The event will also be livestreamed.
Open access book on WSU’s Ida Lou Anderson House now available online
The book details Washington State College faculty member Ida Lou Anderson’s life, the WSC campus in the 1920s and 1930s, and the development of campus architecture.
Business & Economics
IRS special agents lead accounting exercise
Known as the IRS Citizens Academy, it is intended to showcase potential career pathways for accounting students within the agency’s enforcement arm.
WSU’s School of Hospitality Business Management ranked 3rd in U.S.
The School of Hospitality Business Management recently received top marks for its academic and research excellence in the 2023 Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.
Gladstone: More Native American faculty needed to drive business ideas
Joseph Scott Gladstone is one of the few Native American faculty in America’s business schools. And that’s a problem for corporate America.
Business technology symposium explores role of information systems in business success
The symposium, “Information Systems: The Backbone of Business,” is free and open to the public. It will be held 1–3 p.m. Friday at the CUB Auditorium and livestreamed.
Politics & Society
WSU to lead state’s first comprehensive LGBTQ+ survey
The state-funded project led by WSU researcher Traci Gillig aims to find out more about issues facing the state’s LGBTQ+ residents.
Aging societies more vulnerable to collapse
Societies and political structures, like the humans they serve, appear to become more fragile as they age, according to an analysis of hundreds of pre-modern societies.
Project to help Native nations transition to electric transportation, alternative fuels
The WSU Energy Program is working with Native nations across four states to convert their transportation to electric and alternative fuels with support from a $1.7 million U.S. Department of Energy grant.
Speaker series explores Lauren McCluskey’s story, evoking change on college campuses
Professor Jill McCluskey participated in a panel discussion on Tuesday with three women who helped her keep pushing for justice in the aftermath of the murder of her daughter.
Reports & Updates
Announcing the search for a new provost
As WSU continues to evolve, the dual role of provost and Pullman campus chancellor is being divided into two separate positions.
Charting a clear path forward for WSU Athletics
Statement from WSU President Kirk Schulz and Director of Athletics Pat Chun about today’s ruling affirming that the future of the Pac‑12 should be determined by the members who remain in the conference rather than those who are leaving.
Celebrating Native American Heritage Month
WSU System President Kirk Schulz celebrates the unique contributions, histories, and traditions of Native and Indigenous populations throughout the region.
Judge rules in favor of WSU and OSU
Statement from WSU President Kirk Schulz and Director of Athletics Pat Chun about today’s ruling affirming that the future of the Pac‑12 should be determined by the members who remain in the conference rather than those who are leaving.