From the Departments

Biological Sciences

Professor David Buchwalter was the corresponding author of a study that found that the lack of metabolic responses to salinity may explain why some freshwater insects often struggle in higher salinity, while other freshwater invertebrates thrive.

Paleontologist Lindsay Zanno and a colleague discovered that Thescelosaurus neglectus, an often-overlooked dinosaur, had poor cognitive and hearing abilities, powerful arms and legs, and overdeveloped senses of smell and balance — all traits associated with living animals that spend at least part of their time underground.

Chemistry

Lucian Lucia, professor of chemistry and forest biomaterials, and colleagues developed a nontoxic process for making cellulose gels using a small bird’s nest-making process as a model. 

Joshua Pierce, the Howard J. Schaeffer Distinguished Professor and executive director of the new Integrative Sciences Initiative, discussed on the NC State Philanthropy Podcast how private support helps the university’s research and interdisciplinary efforts. 

Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Kathie Dello, director of the North Carolina State Climate Office, was among several NC State contributors to the Fifth National Climate Assessment, the U.S. government’s report on climate change impacts, risks and responses.

Volcanologist Arianna Soldati was quoted in a Fox News Digital article, telling the publication that volcanic eruptions are typically preceded by earthquakes.

Mathematics

A Chronicle of Higher Education article revealed that NC State was the nation’s leading producer of doctoral degrees in mathematics and statistics in 2021-22.

The department recognized Thomas Storer in November in honor of Native American Heritage Month. Storer is known as one of the first Native Americans to earn a doctorate in mathematics in the U.S. and to reach a position of full professor at a major university. 

Physics 

Graduate student Hang Yu and Assistant Professor Sebastian König led research that has opened a new avenue for modeling low-energy nuclear reactions, which are key to the formation of elements within stars.

Professor Kenan Gundogdu and postdoctoral research scholar Melike Biliroglu gave a talk at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences on the science that won this year’s Nobel Prize in Physics. 

Statistics 

Benton Tripp, a student in the Applied Statistics and Data Management graduate certificate program, discussed how the program rounds out a data scientist’s skills in statistics and data analysis.

Goodnight Distinguished Professor Subhashis Ghoshal, Associate Professor Erin Schliep, Associate Professor of the Practice Emily Griffith and graduate student Eric Yanchenko discussed their work at one of the College of Sciences’ weekly Thursdays at the Bureau events, which showcase members of the college community.