Michigan State University College of Engineering

Throwback Thursday: The people behind MSU’s first computer

Long before laptops, smartphones and artificial intelligence, Spartans were helping build MSU’s earliest computing technology.

Elizabeth Unger, Martin Hawley and John Forsyth were part of the team that helped build MISTIC, MSU’s first computer. The pioneering machine had about 1,000 memory locations and a 1K capacity, a striking contrast to the computing power available today.

Their careers continued that legacy of innovation. Unger went on to serve as a computer science professor, dean and vice provost for technology at Kansas State University. Hawley became a professor and chair of MSU’s Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and later director of the MSU Composite Vehicle Research Center. Forsyth began teaching computer science at MSU in 1965 and retired in 1992.

Years later, the three reunited at an Engineering alumni reception during MSU Grandparents University, bringing together three people who helped shape an early chapter of computing at Michigan State.

Learn more about MSU Engineering history:
https://bit.ly/45zIs59

Incoming Spartan Engineers are getting a head start before their first semester even begins.

Twenty-six students participated in the 2026 Engineering and Science Success Academy, or ESSA, a four-week residential program designed to help incoming students strengthen academic skills, build community and prepare for college life.

On average, 80% of ESSA participants increased their math placement scores and moved into higher-level prerequisite courses. Some placed directly into Calculus I or higher.

For nearly 20 years, ESSA has helped students arrive at MSU with greater confidence, stronger connections and a better understanding of the resources available to support their success.

Learn more:
https://bit.ly/3S0m9m3

Get your College of Engineering gear at SpartanSpiritshop.msu.edu

Spartan Engineers in action!

Electrical Engineering student Wyatt spent his summer gaining hands-on experience as a Project Management intern in Arkansas.

Throughout his internship, Wyatt impressed his team with his ability to learn quickly, strong work ethic and willingness to take on new challenges—all while bringing a positive attitude to the team.

We're proud to see our Spartan Engineers applying what they learn at MSU, building valuable industry experience and making an impact along the way.

Way to represent the College of Engineering, Wyatt!

Could insects help us detect “forever chemicals”?

Spartan Engineers are exploring an unexpected approach.

Researchers in MSU’s Department of Biomedical Engineering are studying how neurons in a locust’s brain respond to PFAS, a group of persistent chemicals that can contaminate water, soil and the environment.
Led by doctoral candidate Summer McLane-Svoboda and associate professor Debajit Saha, the proof-of-concept research shows that locust brain activity can distinguish among different PFAS compounds.

The long-term goal is to help inspire faster, portable tools for detecting PFAS contamination outside the laboratory.

See how insects could contribute to the future of environmental sensing:
https://bit.ly/4cwYccT

What can a climbing wall teach you about engineering?

For Spartan Engineers, quite a bit.

Computer science graduate student Linh Thao Nguyen had never participated in a sport before trying rock climbing. Now, she approaches a difficult route much like a coding problem: understand the challenge, test a solution, figure out what went wrong and try again.

She is part of a growing Engineering community finding connections on the wall.

Mechanical engineering senior and MSU Climbing Club President Andrew Gariepy sees climbing as a natural fit for engineers who enjoy tackling difficult problems. Faculty members Alexandra Zevalkink and Mengsen Zhang connect climbing with experimentation, persistence, well-being and life outside the lab. MSU Engineering alumnus Auden Garrard says the resilience he developed through climbing continues to influence him as he pursues a doctorate in computer science.

At MSU’s Student Recreation and Wellness Center, climbing has become more than a physical challenge. It is another place for Spartan Engineers to solve problems, learn from failure, meet people and build community.

Read “Built to solve: Spartan Engineers find community on the climbing wall”:

https://bit.ly/4clfV6Y

AI is changing how engineers learn, work and solve problems. MSU Engineering is preparing students and professionals to lead that change.

New and expanded opportunities include:

- AI integrated into first-year engineering courses

- A new undergraduate minor in artificial intelligence

- A new Master of Science in Financial Technology and AI developed with the Broad College of Business

- Workforce training focused on AI for advanced semiconductor manufacturing

Together, these efforts are helping students and working professionals build the technical knowledge, judgment and experience needed to understand, develop and apply AI responsibly.

“AI is changing the way we work, innovate, and teach,” said John Papapolymerou, dean of the College of Engineering. “By expanding AI education, we’re preparing graduates and professionals to lead responsibly and confidently in a rapidly evolving world.”

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4wSA6Sc

What happens when engineering research starts to look like art?

From colorful 3D environments created with lidar data to microscopic biomaterials with unexpected patterns and textures, Spartan Engineering research can be as visually striking as it is scientifically meaningful.

MSU researchers, including biomedical engineer Jinxing Li and members of the Connected and Autonomous Networked Vehicles for Active Safety, or CANVAS, group, are creating images that reveal the beauty hidden inside the research process.

Take a closer look at the science behind the art:
https://bit.ly/4ghRZUu

John Albrecht has been named interim associate dean for research for the MSU College of Engineering, effective Sept. 1, 2026.

Albrecht has been an MSU Engineering professor since 2012, with appointments in the departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Chemical Engineering and Materials Science. He also serves as executive director of the University Research Organization in the MSU Office of Research and Innovation.

“I am pleased to welcome John Albrecht to our leadership team,” said Engineering Dean John Papapolymerou. “He brings extensive research and administrative experience that will help us sustain a strong portfolio and a collaborative focus on emerging and legacy research.”

Learn more about Albrecht and his new role:
https://bit.ly/4z6122g

The future of autonomous mobility will take more than smarter vehicles.

Across Michigan State University, researchers are bringing together engineering, data, artificial intelligence and policy to help make autonomous transportation safer, more adaptable and ready for the real world.

Three Spartan Engineering researchers featured in the story are tackling different pieces of that challenge:

Shaunak Bopardikar is developing approaches that help autonomous vehicles make safer, coordinated decisions.

Vaibhav Srivastava is creating control systems that can adapt to uncertainty, equipment failures and human behavior.

Ali Zockaie is modeling how autonomous and connected vehicles interact with entire transportation networks.

Their work joins research from MSU colleagues in business and law exploring how generative AI, human decision-making, privacy and policy will shape the future of mobility.

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