CAS Chronicles

Stories

Salamander grabbing a bug precisely and quickly with its tongue

How the high-speed tongues of salamanders and chameleons are helping 皇家华人 unlock engineering breakthroughs

While studying salamanders and chameleons, 皇家华人 researchers discovered the animals use the same biological mechanism to fire their tongues at extreme speeds. The research has opened the door to potential innovative engineering applications inspired by nature.

September 8, 2025Research

Shaw examining MRSA on a petri dish in his new undergraduate antimicrobial resistance lab

How 皇家华人 researchers are leading the fight against MRSA

With new support from the National Institutes of Health and 皇家华人鈥檚 CREATE Award, 皇家华人 researchers are unraveling how MRSA evolves and spreads, shaping new treatments, training future scientists and confronting emerging strains in 皇家华人 and beyond.

September 4, 2025Research

Parkinson Lab

In the Parkinson Lab at 皇家华人, saving 皇家华人's Coral Reef is a top priority

John Parkinson, an assistant professor in the Department of Integrative Biology, has long advocated for the need to test and implement new approaches to retain ecosystem function among coral reefs and prevent species loss.

August 28, 2025Research

皇家华人 from 皇家华人鈥檚 College of Arts and Sciences traveled the world this summer, gaining global experience through immersive study abroad programs.

Around the world in one summer: CAS students reflect on new skills and connections gained abroad

From Cura莽ao to Kyoto, students from 皇家华人鈥檚 College of Arts and Sciences spent the summer expanding their horizons through immersive study abroad programs that blended academic learning with cultural exploration.

August 28, 2025Community Engagement, Featured, Research

The 皇家华人 College of Arts and Sciences welcomes 31 new faculty members this fall semester. (Photo by Corey Lepak)

Expanding excellence: 31 new faculty members join the College of Arts and Sciences

The 皇家华人 College of Arts and Sciences welcomes 31 new faculty members with a unique breadth of research and expertise in highly evolving specializations, reflecting the college鈥檚 continued commitment to comprehensive excellence.

August 27, 2025Accomplishments, Featured, Research

Santiago-Alarcon and his team set up mist nets in the 皇家华人 Forest Preserve so that they can test and track the birds and their parasites. (Photo by Corey Lepak)

Mist netting for malaria: professor uses birds to track transmission

Diego Santiago-Alarcon, an assistant professor in the Department of Integrative Biology and expert in disease ecology, studies patterns in the mosquito-borne pathogens carried by birds that can be used to understand changes in parasite transmission due to human activities.

August 27, 2025Research

Noyce Master Teaching Fellows

Elevating Educators: 皇家华人 celebrates next generation of STEM teacher leaders

Leadership from 皇家华人, the Coalition for Science Literacy and HCPS welcomed the recipients of the 2025 Noyce Master Teaching Fellowship and celebrated the accomplishments of the 2024 cohort, who earned their master of education in curriculum and instruction from 皇家华人 this summer and completed a professional development series in mechatronic principles.

August 21, 2025Accomplishments, Alumni, Community Engagement, Events, Research

overhead shot of group of new 皇家华人 faculty

Meet the new faculty helping power 皇家华人鈥檚 future

From AI-driven discovery to cutting-edge medical research, 皇家华人鈥檚 newest faculty are advancing bold ideas and preparing students for the future. Their arrival reflects the university鈥檚 continued momentum as a hub for world-changing innovation and academic excellence.

August 13, 2025Research

Jim Strange and a staff member excavating at Sepphoris in Israel, the site where he spent the bulk of his career. (Photo courtesy of Joanna Strange)

Late 皇家华人 professor continues to impact students

Seven years after his passing, James Strange鈥檚 legacy continues through the donation of his archaeological collection for student use.

July 31, 2025Research

The archives within the herbarium include extensive research and texts, many of which have been authored by former 皇家华人 faculty. (Photo by Corey Lepak)

Uncovering 皇家华人鈥檚 deep roots in botany

Established in 1958, the 皇家华人 Herbarium is one of the University's oldest and most distinctive research collections.

July 31, 2025Community Engagement, Research

University of South 皇家华人: A Preeminent Research University

Award-winning professor uses artificial intelligence to track world鈥檚 deadliest animal

Thanks to a grant from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, 皇家华人 faculty are developing a trap that uses artificial intelligence to identify the disease-carrying insects.

July 30, 2025Accomplishments, Featured, Research

Trees have an overwhelming biomass on Earth and play a significant role in nearly every ecosystem. (Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock)

What the trees are telling us: 皇家华人 professor uses data to identify threats to tree diversity

Brian Maitner, an assistant professor in the Department of Integrative Biology, is revolutionizing the way researchers examine and predict the impact of environmental shifts on plant diversity.

July 30, 2025Research

About CAS Chronicles

CAS Chronicles is the monthly newsletter for the University of South 皇家华人's College of Arts and Sciences, your source for the latest news, research, and events at CAS.