Illinois Featured Content

The Alma Mater statue dressed in cap and gown. Photo by Fred Zwicky

Congratulations Class of 2025!

May 12, 2025 3:45 pm

Commencement is one of the proudest days of the year at Illinois. From the spectacle of the universitywide ceremony at Memorial Stadium to your unit convocation, the entire weekend is a celebration of our talented graduates. Discover everything you’ll need to make it memorable.

Electrical and Computer Engineering professor Bill King

U of I launches 3D printing facility with $8m DOD award

May 12, 2025 11:45 am

TCT Magazine (May 8) 'We are building the world’s first university research center focused on large metal additive manufacturing,' to allow the military to quickly manufacture large parts, making its supply chain more agile, efficient and secure.

Alumna Susan Hagel sits behind a table covered with her Olympic medals. Photo by CCX Media from linked story on the USA Archery website announcing her USOPC Hall of Fame induction

U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame inducts U. of I. alumni

May 8, 2025 9:15 am

Paralympic multi-medalist Susan Hagel and the 2004 gold-medal-winning women’s wheelchair basketball team (including ten members from Illinois) were among those selected for induction this summer.

As part of her training, veterinary student Melanie Narvaez assesses the health of a cockatiel by checking its vent. Photo by Fred Zwicky

Learning from cockatiels

May 8, 2025 8:00 am

They all have their personalities. Some of the birds we’re handling today live in the 'Princes' cage and have a reputation as troublemakers. They almost always try to escape!

Lissette Piedra, a professor of social work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Credit: L. Brian Stauffer

Study reveals how social networks shape health in later life

May 12, 2025 11:15 am

Older adults with broader, more diverse social networks may feel less lonely and enjoy better health than those whose social circles are smaller, according to recent research led by social work professor Lissette Piedra.

Music Man: Dr. Claudius Conrad of the Carle Illinois College of Medicine

May 2, 2025 3:30 pm

As a teenager, Conrad grew more proficient at the piano and showed brilliance in understanding the medicine he was seeing his father practice. He started to lay the groundwork for what would become a momentous career.

Mehmet Eren Ahsen, a professor of business administration at Illinois. Photo by Fred Zwicky

Paper: AI-human task-sharing could cut mammography screening costs by up to 30%

May 7, 2025 8:45 am

A study by Professor Mehmet Eren Ahsen finds the most effective way to use artificial intelligence when screening for breast cancer may be through collaboration with human radiologists — not by wholesale replacing them.

image of Illinois drivers license with REAL ID gold star. Photo via U of I Willard Airport website

Does REAL ID really make flying safer?

May 9, 2025 11:30 am

Obtaining a REAL ID has become straightforward in every state, provided you can provide the necessary documentation. Once you have your first REAL ID, obtaining renewals is straightforward and seamless.

Karn and Laukaitis show that rather than being uniquely mammalian, secretoglobins are also found in turtles, crocodilians, lizards and birds, suggesting they existed in the Carboniferous period. Photo montage by Bob Karn

Genomic survey uncovers evolutionary origins of secretoglobin proteins

May 7, 2025 1:00 pm

These new findings, published in Genome Biology and Evolution, suggest that secretoglobin proteins evolved earlier than dinosaurs and share a basic function that has not yet been discovered.

Astronomy grad student's research project garners $1M in NASA funding

May 7, 2025 1:15 pm

The project addresses one of the most critical challenges of the European Space Agency Euclid mission—the precise detection and classification of blended astronomical objects in deep, multi-band, high-resolution imaging.

some young looking hands hold short glasses of brown liquor in stock photo by Ira Lee Nesbitt, Pixabay

Illinois Youth Survey finds troubling substance use trends

May 8, 2025 10:15 am

U. of I.'s new Illinois Youth Survey finds disturbing trends among teens, such as obtaining alcohol through home delivery services, binge drinking and reports of cyclical vomiting syndrome, which is often associated with prolonged use of cannabis.

stock image of man sitting at bar with head in hand. (Image Credit: LightField Studios/Shutterstock)

Social drinking could mask alcoholism, or provoke problem drinking

May 8, 2025 9:45 am

Discover Magazine (May 6) Illinois professor Catharine Fairbairn says problem drinkers sometimes use social settings to provide cover for their behavior, rationalizing that 'the mere presence of other individuals exerts a beneficial effect.'

Education’s fundamental purpose includes promoting communicative virtues such as empathy, open-mindedness and truthfulness, and providing opportunities for students to learn from and work with people of differing cultures, backgrounds and perspectives, Nicholas Burbules wrote in two recent papers. Photo by L. Brian Stauffer

What is education’s role in fostering responsible belief?

May 6, 2025 1:45 pm

Higher education should teach students how to understand each other across our differences. It’s about being exposed to diversities and learning to deal with them productively by talking, listening and trying to understand and empathize.

AI generated graphic shows rescue worker searching in woods with circuit board superimposed on forest floor

Using AI to help find missing persons

Apr 30, 2025 10:45 am

'Missing people have all kinds of patterns... based on the medications they’re on, their age, the weather, the terrain – I could list probably 20 or 30 different factors that affect where somebody goes. That’s a perfect kind of problem for AI technology.'

a field of sorghum grows in Central Kansas. Photo by Celia Llopis-Jepsen for Kansas News Service

Trump team pauses project to grow biofuel crops with less fertilizer, greenhouse gases

May 7, 2025 2:30 pm

The Topeka Capitol-Journal (May 6) 'We were hoping that because of the obvious benefits of this type of research, that we might be allowed to go ahead. Who can argue with something that would save farmers billions of dollars?'

Tom Burrell, at center, with a some of his advertising agency staff in Chicago.

Tom Burrell, Black advertising visionary, to receive honorary degree from Illinois

May 6, 2025 2:15 pm

'Tom Burrell is unquestionably a pioneer in the field of advertising. He helped to normalize the image of African Americans in advertising,' says professor Jason Chambers, Author of Advertising Revolutionary: The Life and Work of Tom Burrell.

Psychology professor Catherine Fairbairn’s work focuses on the basic social and emotional processes driving alcohol use. Photo by Michelle Hassel

Review: Social drinking also a well-worn path to alcohol use disorder

Apr 30, 2025 11:15 am

When picturing a 'typical' alcoholic, people tend to imagine a person drinking at home alone. But that focus overlooks the social origins of many serious alcohol problems.

Taking flight on a New York City stage

May 2, 2025 2:00 pm

A U. of I. dance student details the experience of performing at The Joyce Theatre in Manhattan, part of the University Partnership Performance program. Seven universities nationwide, including Dance at Illinois, were invited to perform.

Three women walk through flood waters as they leave their home in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, April 4, 2025. Photo by George Walker IV for AP

Scientific societies say they’ll step up after Trump puts key climate report in doubt

May 6, 2025 2:30 pm

AP (May 2) Illinois climate expert Donald Wuebbles, who led one of two 2018 national reports, says he worries about what kind of document this administration will try to issue. 'I think... it’ll be scientifically based, but it will be pretty crappy.'

stock photo of a bicycle delivery rider with package

Study shows gig economy as viable pathway to entrepreneurship

Apr 28, 2025 11:00 am

Researchers speculated that 'the gig economy might mirror the experiences of an entrepreneur, allowing individuals to learn about entrepreneurship and accumulate industry-specific experience.'

Illinois professor Bumsoo Han, left, and postdoctoral researcher Sae Rome Choi are authors of a new study exploring the use of DNA origami for better imaging of dense pancreatic tissue for cancer detection and potential treatment. Photo by Fred Zwicky

DNA origami guides new possibilities in the fight against pancreatic cancer

Apr 22, 2025 3:00 pm

'This research highlights not only the potential for more accurate cancer imaging, but also selective chemotherapy delivery, a significant advancement over current...treatments,' said U. of I. Professor Bumsoo Han.

Peter Goldsmith (left) visits Pan-African Soybean Trials in Malawi.

$1M gift keeps Soybean Innovation Lab operational after USAID closure

Apr 28, 2025 10:45 am

A $1.02 million gift from an anonymous donor will fund the lab and core staff for another year. The reprieve will allow SIL to complete some of its most critical work and give it time to seek stable funding into the future.

four graphic images of young people sitting alone on the ground feeling sad. ma_rish / Getty Images

Pandemic school closures impacted teens' mental health

May 5, 2025 12:15 pm

VeryWell Health (May 2) 'Social distancing during the pandemic significantly interfered with this typical process of gaining autonomy from the family and engaging in activities and relationships with peers,' says Professor Karen Rudolph.

Illini men's golfer named recipient of 2025 Byron Nelson Award

May 2, 2025 12:00 pm

Jackson Buchanan, a senior golfer for Illinois, was named the award recipient, given annually to a college golfer who excels in the classroom, on the course and in the community. Buchanan is the first golfer from Illinois to earn the award.

Artist Francine Tint, whose work is displayed at Krannert Art Museum, is having a moment

May 2, 2025 12:00 pm

The New York Times (April 21) At 82, abstract expressionist painter Francine Tint is finally receiving the recognition she craved as a youngster. Her paintings have been housed in permanent collections, including the Krannert Art Museum.

silhouette of man puping bar bell that balances a hamburger with broccoli. Graphic by Michael B. Vincent

Omnivorous? Vegan? Makes no difference to muscle building after weightlifting, study finds

Apr 21, 2025 9:15 am

A new clinical trial tested a vegan diet against an omnivorous diet and found no difference in the rate of muscle-protein synthesis after weight training.

Travelers stand with their luggage in the British Airways check-in line at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in Los Angeles. (Mario Tama/Getty Images/TNS)

No more delays — REAL ID deadline must stick

Apr 29, 2025 11:00 am

Boston Herald (April 25) With the current deadline of May 7 approaching for the oft-delayed REAL ID requirement for air travel, Illinois professor Sheldon Jacobson argues this time the deadline must stick.

Miyoshi named Big Ten Player of the Year, three Illini earn all-conference honors

Apr 28, 2025 11:15 am

Junior Kenta Miyoshi became the seventh player in program history to be named Big Ten Player of the Year, while redshirt junior William Mroz earned a spot on the All-Big Ten Second Team, the conference office announced.

portrait of Paul Bruno by Brian Stauffer

Computer science teachers may be better qualified than their peers

Apr 25, 2025 12:00 pm

A study by Professor Paul Bruno found that instructors’ teaching experience both in general and in computer science specifically had the greatest impact on student learning - not whether faculty members were licensed to teach the subject.

Alumnus Nate Reichard donates $5 million to elevate real estate program

Apr 25, 2025 8:45 am

Gies College of Business has received a $5 million gift from alumnus Nate Reichard, CEO of Reichard Capital. In recognition, the Real Estate Finance Academy will be renamed the 'Reichard Real Estate Academy.'

Four faculty members elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Apr 25, 2025 2:45 pm

Founded in 1780, the academy recognizes scientists, artists, scholars and leaders who have distinguished themselves in the public, private and nonprofit sectors.

Student developing portable tech to prevent chemo-induced hair loss wins fellowship

Apr 23, 2025 10:30 am

During her clinical rotations, Mahima Goel had the idea to create a more patient-friendly device after hearing patients describe the bulk, cost, and movement restrictions that come with existing devices on the market.

Ujjal Kumar Mukherjee, a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign business scholar who studies technology adoption in health care.

New analytics-driven framework aims to improve care of chronic disease

Apr 21, 2025 9:30 am

New U. of I. research finds that a data-informed approach to scheduling patient appointments can reduce risks associated with diabetes management by up to 19.4%, especially for underserved populations.

ten year old picture of landscape architecture professor William Sullivan and (then) PhD candidate Bin Jiang, who now is a professor at the University of Hong Kong

New study finds link between green spaces and police violence

Apr 24, 2025 3:00 pm

Higher levels of greenness may reduce violence in four ways: reduced crime, improved short-term and long-term mental health, sending a signal that a place is well-cared for and increasing the use of outdoor spaces by nearby neighbors.

image show the cover of the book '1984.' Photo by Ethan Rougon on Unsplash

When opinions become thoughtcrimes

Apr 24, 2025 3:45 pm

Visible Magazine (April 18) Illinois curriculum and instruction professor Stephanie Toliver discusses the consequences of banning language, thoughts and opinions.

Hoda Elshorbagy, shown racing in her hot pink chair, aims to develop the sport of wheelchair racing and become Egypt’s first qualified wheelchair racing coach (Photo provided)

A woman of determination and vision: Hoda Elshorbagy

Apr 18, 2025 8:00 am

As a girl in Egypt, she learned English so she could understand U of I racing coach Adam Bleakney’s videos. She dreamed of one day learning from him face to face. For seven years, she planned and practiced. Then came her break.

still image from story video shows cans of prebiotic soda on store shelves

What is prebiotic soda? Experts on whether there are health benefits

Apr 23, 2025 8:45 am

Today (April 21) Prebiotics and probiotics aren’t the same. U. of I. professor Kelly Swanson says prebiotics help support overall health and may have a number of benefits when consumed at a sufficient dose.

Sara Gerke, the Richard W. & Marie L. Corman Scholar at the College of Law. Photo by Fred Zwicky

Federal privacy law needed for sensitive consumer data when companies go bankrupt

Apr 16, 2025 11:30 am

What happens to your personal information when a genetic testing company goes belly up? It would most likely be sold to a successor company that customers might not want to entrust with their genetic data, says law expert Sara Gerke.

banner reads Undergraduate Research Week, April 20 - 26

A celebration of student innovation and excellence at Illinois

Apr 21, 2025 1:30 pm

Undergraduate Research Week showcases the best of undergraduate research and creative inquiry at the University of Illinois. Events include workshops on getting started in research, special exhibits, and highlighting the best student research.

Trump's bid to end birthright citizenship is part of his sweeping immigration crackdown. Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

What to know about birthright citizenship as it heads to Supreme Court

Apr 21, 2025 11:00 am

Axios (April 17) SCOTUS will hear arguments next month over Trump’s efforts to restrict birthright citizenship. Illinois professor Michael LeRoy says that a Supreme Court ruling in Trump’s favor would have far-reaching legal repercussions.

Jonathan W. Coppess, the Leonard and Lila Gardner-Illinois Farm Bureau Family of Companies Endowed Associate Professor in Agricultural Policy at the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Seriously. Photo by Fred Zwicky

What effect will tariffs have on consumers, farmers?

Apr 16, 2025 10:00 am

For U.S. farmers, tariffs are a double whammy of paying more for imported goods such as fertilizer and losing out on export markets, says U. of I. agricultural expert Jonathan W. Coppess.

educational psychology professor Kaylin Ratner. Photo by Fred Zwicky

Young adults juggle conflicting pressures to hurry up ― and wait

Apr 16, 2025 12:00 pm

Researchers have found that young adults today may feel caught between opposing forces, some pressuring them to accelerate their maturation and assume adult responsibilities earlier, others striving to hold them back.

AI-generated graphic of woolly mammoth toy or model in a box. Stephanie Arnett/MIT Technology Review | ChatGPT

Jurassic Patent: How Colossal Biosciences is attempting to own the 'woolly mammoth'

Apr 17, 2025 12:15 pm

MIT Technology Review (April 16) 'Any animal with woolly mammoth genes falls under the claims' of this Texas startup company trying to bring back extinct species, says U. of I. law professor Jacob Sherkow.

Graduate student Jonathan Cerna monitors heart data from a “smart shirt” that tracks electrical activity as graduate student Laila Shaaban exercises and rests. Researchers are working to develop the technology to make heart-related predictions more widely accessible through the use of wearables. Photo by Fred Zwicky

Wearable technology continuously monitors heart-rate recovery to predict risk

Apr 9, 2025 11:00 am

U. of I. researchers used a 'smart shirt' to track participants’ heart-rate recovery after exercise and developed a tool for analyzing the data to predict those at higher risk of heart-related ailments.

Illinois history professor Kristin Hoganson and English professor Corey Van Landingham are recipients of 2025 Guggenheim Fellowships. Image of Van Landingham was submitted by subject.

Illinois faculty members receive Guggenheim Fellowships

Apr 17, 2025 10:00 am

This year’s Illinois fellows are history professor Kristin Hoganson and English professor Corey Van Landingham. They were chosen through a rigorous peer-review process from nearly 3,500 applicants.

A worker processes copper wire at a workshop in Huai 'an City, East China's Jiangsu Province, on June 28, 2023. CFOTO/Future Publishing/Getty Images

Here’s what’s about to become more expensive with the next round of tariffs

Apr 16, 2025 2:30 pm

CNN (April 15) The Biden administration's CHIPS Act incentivized chipmakers to open U.S. facilities, but even if tariffs do spur more domestic chip production, America still lacks electronic assembly capabilities, says professor John Dallesasse.

Professor Christopher Gaulke. Photo by Craig Pessman

How does what lives in your gut affect your health?

Apr 8, 2025 2:45 pm

Professor of pathobiology Chris Gaulke discusses what roles the gut microbiome plays in digestion, immune health and cancer, as well as how what we consume affects it.

A new test strip system developed by Ferritiva uses body fluids like urine to detect markers that indicate an iron deficiency. The second phase of the team's work involves creating a sensor (prototype shown) that can quantify those results for use in monitoring a patient's results over time.

CI MED students create at-home screening test for iron deficiency

Apr 16, 2025 10:30 am

Some 40% of people don't have enough iron content in their blood but many of them go undiagnosed. This innovation will allow people to test at home by applying a small sample of urine, rather than blood, to a special test strip.

Greene Valley Forest Preserve (Naperville, Illinois). Photo by Corey Seeman

Sold-out conference addresses tri-state forestry challenges, points to solutions

Apr 9, 2025 11:30 am

Private landowners manage 80% of the region's forests while facing challenges from invasive species, extreme weather events, and changing markets. That's why this Extension conference became an unexpected hit.

Bioengineering professor Holly Golecki, left, works with Andy Granados, a participant in the First-Generation Scholars Research Program, designing an actuator with a balloon inside polyester mesh in order to create a silicone heart model that pumps fluids. Photo by Fred Zwicky.

First-Generation Scholars Research Program provides research experience and more

Apr 11, 2025 9:15 am

The First-Generation Scholars Research Program at Illinois provides students with research skills and help with the ins and outs of college life that those who haven’t been exposed to higher education may not know.

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