Site Revealed for one of the World's Most Advanced Nuclear Reactors, Set to be Built at Idaho State University

Idaho State University’s Advanced Research and Test Reactor project will bring the state’s legacy as nuclear leaders to the next level, Idaho Governor Brad Little told a crowd on Wednesday at an event recognizing the project. 

Jason Wright, clinical associate professor in the computer science department, recently presented his paper “The Residual Nondeterminism Gap in Forensic Record-and-Replay," at the International Workshop on Digital Forensics held in Linköping, Sweden.

His research found a gap in tools forensic investigators use to record a computer program and replay it later. These tools assume the processor will do exactly the same thing each time, but modern processors can generate random numbers internally in ways the tools cannot always see or record. As a result, a replay can produce different encryption keys or other data while still appearing to run successfully. The paper demonstrates this problem in real software, measures how often the risky instructions appear, and discusses how to fix the gap.

Bengals of all stripes turned out in force for the first-ever Eastern Snake River Plain Distributed Volcanic Field Working Group meeting!

The group set the direction for volcanic hazard research across 600+ volcanic vents in the area, including Craters of the Moon and Hell's Half Acre, with new eruptions happening every 1,000 to 3,000 years. 

Back, from left: Tyler Paladino (USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory), Zach Lifton (Idaho Geological Survey), Scott Hughes (professor emeritus), Bill Hackett (former professor), Hailey Dietz (USGS INL Project Office), Emily Ford (current undergraduate student)

Front row, from left: Tess Oldroyd-Johnson (current doctoral candidate), Rylie Berwanger (current master’s student), Chloe Anderson (current master’s student), Shannon Kobs Nawotniak (professor)

Not pictured: Mike McCurry (professor emeritus)

Before he set foot on Idaho State University’s Pocatello campus, Christian Done had never attended a class. 

“I was basically homeschooled,” said Done. “Everything was basically self-taught, and I took some standardized tests at 16 to get my high school diploma.” 

Read more about ISU's first AI Sciences major >>

A full slate of online events is on tap for National Postdoc Appreciation Week from September 21 through 25.

Organized by postdocs around the region, the virtual meetings include workshops on navigating funding opportunities, career path panels, and more.

If you have questions about any of the events, email Alyse Maksimoski, NSF postdoctoral fellow in the biological sciences department.

View the flyer >>

RSVP for the CoSE Dean's Homecoming Breakfast

Benny's Thrift Shop Pop Up September 24 and 25

The Office of Sustainability and the Sustainability Club is organizing the Benny's Closet again this semester with a lot of items like clothing, shoes, stationery, utensils and more. It is a "Take what you want, pay what you can model." Please stop by at the Quad Lounge from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. On Sept 24 and 25 to see our thrift display. 

Student Club Los Estudiantes Despues Selected for National United We Dream Leadership Convening in Chicago

Members of Idaho State University's student organization Los Estudiantes Después (LED) have been invited to a national leadership convening hosted by United We Dream (UWD), the nation's largest immigrant, youth-led network. Ten ISU students and alumni traveled to the Chicago area for intensive grassroots organizer training, panel discussions, and movement-building workshops. UWD is fully funding the contingent's travel, lodging, and expenses, recognizing LED's impactful work on campus and in the local community.

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History Professor Earns Research Fellowship at Notre Dame to Study Emotions in Medieval Law

When we think about the law, we often think of the rules, procedures and impartial decisions. But according to Idaho State history assistant professor Meghan Woolley, emotions have always played a role in how people navigate the legal system.

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Dean's Excellence Fund Accepting Requests from Students

The College of Science and Engineering Dean's Excellence Fund is intended to support students in their journey through ISU. The Dean's Office is particularly interested in providing financial assistance to students who might not be able to enroll in or complete the semester because of short-term financial hardships. Students seeking such support should be in good academic standing.

If you know of a student who is in need of short-term support, please have them complete this form.

September 21: Last day to file an application for December 2026 graduation

September 25: Last day to WITHDRAW from early 8-week courses

October 5: Early 8-week course grading opens

October 12: Mid-term week

October 12: Spring 2027 Class Schedule viewable online (subject to change)

October 19: Late 8-week courses begin

October 20: Early 8-week course grading closes at 5:00 pm

October 23: Last day to add/drop late 8-week courses

October 30: Last day to WITHDRAW from full-semester courses

Updates can also be found on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Bluesky, and Instagram. To add events to the calendar, please contact the Administrative Assistants in your department. The university-wide calendar of events is available here.