From the Departments

Biological Sciences

Department faculty members Carter Clinton and Adrian Smith shared insights at ComSciCon-Triangle, an interactive two-day science communication workshop in January that was attended by 50 graduate students from across North Carolina. 

Professor Emeritus Mary Schweitzer and other NC State researchers found further evidence for the preservation of soft tissues and structures in fossils through deep time. 

Chemistry

Chemistry Professor Emeritus Carl Bumgardner, a favorite among his students, passed away at age 100 on Feb. 24. He taught at NC State for over 40 years and endowed a scholarship to benefit students in the department. 

Learn more about NC State’s chapter of the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society, which aims to help undergraduate students build leadership and career opportunities. 

Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Lily Hughes, a research assistant professor at NC State and the curator of ichthyology at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, found that the scorching climate of the Cretaceous period may have caused a genetic split among lampreys. 

One of the highlights of senior Jack Kendrick’s internship with the North Carolina State Climate Office last summer was a 12-hour day trip to Mount Mitchell. Read all about it.

Mathematics

Distinguished Professor Patrick Combettes has been listed in the American Mathematical Society’s MathSciNet database of most cited mathematicians.

Department Head Alina Chertock began a three-year term on Jan. 1 as a member of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics Board of Trustees. 

Physics

The Organic and Carbon Electronics Laboratories’ new X-ray instrument, Xeuss 3.0, helps researchers improve products ranging from electronics to textiles.

Matthew Green, who studies fundamental interactions of neutrinos, took over as the department’s director of graduate programs. He replaces Dave Aspnes, who recently retired.

Statistics

Take a look at the department’s research roundup for the first quarter of 2025. 

See various awards department faculty and students have earned this year for their research.