Detroit Science News Examiner: Top MSU science stories of 2015 slideshow text

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MSU's top science stories in 2015 ranged from the global to the individual and comprised research and outreach in medicine, materials science, physics, science education, and biodiversity.

Michigan State University will accelerate key research areas through the recruitment of 100 new faculty members as part of the newly launched Global Impact Initiative. Courtesy of MSU.

Sarah Kovan, an Honors College senior majoring in comparative cultures and politics in the James Madison College and human biology in the College of Natural Science. Photo by G.L. Kohuth

Despite snow and freezing rain, the latest concrete pour began early Tuesday, March 3, for the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams at MSU. The nearly 3,600 cubic yards of concrete will be used for the foundation of a section of the linear accelerator tunnel. Photo by G.L. Kohuth. (Used with permission from MSU)

Lawrence Drzal will serve as director of the Michigan Center of Excellence that is part of the newly formed Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation. Drzal is a University Distinguished Professor of chemical engineering and materials science and head of MSU's Composite Materials and Structures Center. Photo by G.L. Kohuth.

MSU and corporate partner Fraunhofer USA announced it will create the MSU-Fraunhofer Center for Coatings and Diamond Technologies. The new facility will expand the current MSU-Fraunhofer laboratory to about 15,000 square feet – more than triple its current size. Photo by G.L. Kohuth.

Doctors in Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and College of Human Medicine teamed up to perform an uncommon cleft palate surgery on a dog, using a technique that will benefit both humans and man’s best friend.

MSU's Robert Abramovitch uses a biosensor that glows green in response to conditions that mimic TB infection. Courtesy photo.

Michigan State University's Rebecca Campbell (left) was the lead investigator of a high-profile project to determine why thousands of sexual assault kits went untested in Detroit. Photo by G.L. Kohuth

Course creators William Cunningham (pictured far right), Rene Hinojosa (immediate left) and Gary Willyerd (far left) pose with the chef of a Cuban cafe during one of their visits to the country. All three will lead medical students in MSU's first for-credit, clinical elective in Cuba. Courtesy photo.

MSU's Pam Rasmussen was part of an international team of scientists that has discovered a new bird in China. Photo by Bo Dai