Michigan State University College of Engineering

10/13/2026

Spartan Engineering made it all the way to the championship round.

Dean John Papapolymerou and Trevor Keilen, a computer science student in the Class of 2028, finished second out of 16 colleges and units in the MSU Deans Co****le Challenge during Homecoming Weekend.

The practice paid off, and the competition did not disappoint.

Congratulations to Dean Brent Donnellan and Noah Forman from the College of Social Science on the win and a fun, challenging final match. Enjoy the trophy, and know Team Engineering will be coming for it next year.

A special thank-you to Trevor for being an excellent teammate and representing Spartan Engineering so well.

And thank you to our colleagues in the College of Veterinary Medicine for organizing such a fun event and bringing a little friendly competition to Homecoming.

Second place this year. The 2027 rematch is already on our minds.

Spartans Will.

10/13/2026

Fall at the MSU College of Engineering is a season to savor! Our campus comes alive with stunning autumn colors, creating the perfect backdrop for study sessions, projects, and everything in between.

Swipe through to see our favorite fall scenes around the college that showcase why we love this time of year. Here’s to a season filled with inspiration and discovery! 🍁 🍂

10/12/2026

Spartan Engineering research is helping advance lithium-ion battery safety.

Siva Nadimpalli, associate professor of mechanical engineering and Gardner Endowed Faculty Scholar in Automotive Engineering, recently spoke with WILX-TV about his research on lithium-ion battery safety and the warning signs that can emerge before a battery failure.

His team is developing sensing approaches that could help detect changes inside batteries earlier, with the goal of improving safety as lithium-ion batteries become increasingly common in vehicles and other technologies.

Nadimpalli credited the students, collaborators and mentors who have contributed to the work and helped bring the research to a broader audience.

Learn more and watch the WILX report:

https://bit.ly/4yR1j8S

First responders have access to a site-specific emergency plan, but have not tested it with a live or tabletop drill inside the facility

10/12/2026

No driver. No easy lines. Two podium finishes.

At WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Spartan Engineers helped PoliMOVE-TEC take on a new challenge in autonomous racing: the Indy Autonomous Challenge’s first head-to-head passing competition on a road course.

The international team finished second in the Time Trial and third in the Passing Competition, including an autonomous overtake into the Andretti Hairpin.

Unlike previous oval-track competitions, Laguna Seca forced the AI driver to respond to changing corners, braking zones, limited sightlines and elevation changes while also predicting the movements of another autonomous racecar.

MSU researchers and students are contributing expertise in areas including perception, localization, computer vision and simulation as part of an international collaboration spanning Michigan, Italy and Mexico.

Read how Spartan Engineers are helping push autonomous vehicle technology under real racing conditions:
https://bit.ly/4e5mfQW

Spartans Will.

10/10/2026

One of SAE’s highest honors now belongs to a Spartan Engineer.

Janet Brelin-Fornari, founding director of Technology Engineering at Michigan State University, has been named a 2026 SAE Fellow, the organization’s highest grade of membership.

She is one of just 12 professionals selected for this year’s class, recognized for exceptional achievement, technical expertise, innovation and leadership.

From automotive crash safety research to helping students build hands-on experience in robotics, automation, mechatronics, embedded systems and more, Brelin-Fornari has spent her career connecting engineering knowledge with real-world impact.

“Because of her leadership and collaboration with industry, our TechE students build hands-on experience” across a wide range of technologies, said MSU Engineering Dean John Papapolymerou.

Read more about Brelin-Fornari’s career and recognition: https://bit.ly/4emDr4s

Spartans Will.

10/09/2026

Homecoming is here, and Spartan Engineering is proud to have one of our own representing MSU.

Civil engineering student AhJanae Walton is a member of the 2026 MSU Homecoming Court, recognizing her leadership, service and commitment to creating opportunities for others.

A first-generation college student from Detroit, AhJanae has made advocacy and expanding access to STEM an important part of her Spartan experience. Tonight, she’ll join fellow members of the Homecoming Court in the annual MSU Homecoming Parade as Spartans from across generations come together in East Lansing. College of Engineering

The parade begins at 6 p.m. and travels through downtown East Lansing and the MSU campus. MSUToday

As AhJanae put it: “Continue to uplift one another, lead with intention and create opportunities not just for yourself, but for those coming after you.” College of Engineering

That is a pretty great message to carry into Homecoming.

Read more about AhJanae and her Spartan journey:
https://bit.ly/4gTGFgo

Spartans Will.

10/09/2026

The Dean has been practicing. Team Engineering is coming to compete.

Dean John Papapolymerou and Trevor Keilen, a junior studying computer science, represent Spartan Engineering in the MSU Deans Co****le Challenge on Saturday, Oct. 10, at Demonstration Hall Field.
Homecoming brings Spartans together, but this time there are bragging rights on the line. Sixteen MSU colleges will face off in a single-elimination tournament.

The practice is done. Now it’s time to see which college has the will to take home the trophy.
Come cheer on Team Engineering and be part of the Homecoming competition.

Spartans Will.

10/08/2026

From national research honors to industry engagement, Spartan Engineering faculty continue to make an impact across their fields and beyond.

Recent accomplishments include top rankings, best paper awards, national faculty honors and work advancing AI, biometrics, sensing, infrastructure and more.

Together, these achievements reflect how MSU faculty are turning knowledge into solutions, building connections and helping power the future.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4hTpD2A

10/08/2026

What does it take to prepare for a mission to the Moon?

Join the MSU College of Engineering for the inaugural Patton Allison Memorial Lecture featuring Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jenni Gibbons, Ph.D.

Gibbons will share her perspective on astronaut training, mission preparation and supporting Artemis II, NASA's first crewed mission to the Moon in more than 50 years.

Established in 2026, the Patton Allison Memorial Lecture honors the life, work and enduring impact of Dr. Patton Allison and his passion for aerospace engineering.

Thursday, Oct. 15

4:30 p.m. reception

5:15 p.m. lecture

6 p.m. Q&A

MSU Multicultural Center, Rooms A&B, or join virtually via Zoom

Learn more:
https://bit.ly/3VpqdNV

10/07/2026

Biosystems engineering student Grace Gramza has been named a 2026-28 Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service awardee.

Gramza, a third-year Spartan Engineer, is one of two MSU students selected for the national scholarship. Her work has already taken her from climate research to PFAS degradation, and she plans to use the Voyager experience to explore environmental policy and water quality.

The scholarship provides financial support, a summer work-travel experience and access to a national network of mentors and public-service leaders.

Read more about Grace’s research, service and future goals:
https://bit.ly/476uWH0