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ISU Leaders Join Idaho Trade Mission to Taiwan to Strengthen Semiconductor Workforce Partnerships
Idaho State University leaders recently participated in a statewide trade mission to Taiwan focused on strengthening semiconductor workforce development, research collaboration, and international business partnerships.
The four-day mission, organized by the Idaho Department of Commerce and the Idaho–Asia Trade Office, marked the 40th anniversary of the Idaho–Taiwan Sister State relationship. Delegates studied Taiwan’s integrated approach to semiconductor education, manufacturing, and industry alignment.
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It was our pleasure to host employees of Aalo Atomics and the Department of Energy for a pair of ISU Hands-On Nuclear Criticality Safety Workshops last week!
Thursday, we were joined by nuclear facility representatives and nuclear safety authorities from the DOE. Meanwhile, on Friday, the reactor designers and analysts from Aalo Atomics stopped by. The workshops cover what’s going on inside a nuclear reactor as it approaches criticality.
If you know of someone who might be interested in booking the workshop for their staff, have them contact Chad Pope, professor and chair of the nuclear engineering department, at chadpope@isu.edu.
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Congrats, Emanuele Zappala!
Zappala, an assistant professor in the mathematics and statistics department, was named this month's Impactful Research awardee.
His research develops mathematical and machine-learning frameworks to understand complex systems in neuroscience, physics, and quantum information. His work combines operator learning methods in machine learning with ideas from topology to model nonlocal and high-dimensional dynamics.
A major focus of his research is the study of brain activity using data such as functional MRI (fMRI). By applying operator learning techniques inspired by topological concepts such as fixed-point theory, his work aims to capture the underlying structure of brain dynamics and improve the interpretability of learned models.
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Center for Ecological Research and Education Seeking Grant, Partnership Proposals
ISU’s Center for Ecological Research and Education (CERE) is soliciting proposals to support graduate student research and synergistic activities such as workshops, seminars, or educational efforts. Additionally, CERE is soliciting short proposals to support partner activities with agencies, stakeholders, or community groups.
The deadline for priority consideration is Friday, March 20. If you have any questions, contact Colden Baxter, Sarah Godsey, Katrina Running, Josh Grinath, or Jennifer Cornell.
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Keith Reinhardt to Present on Experience as Rotating NSF Program Officer
Keith Reinhardt, professor of biological sciences, will discuss his time as a rotator with the National Science Foundation, on Thursday, March 12, at 4 p.m. in LC 10.
During his talk, he'll explain what he did while rotating at NSF, how to maintain a research/lab at ISU, career benefits and considerations, and some proposal tips and tricks he learned while on the job.
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Molecular Research Core Facility Celebrates Student Researchers
Student research is honored again this year at the second annual Student Microscopy Competition. The contest encourages students to submit their best images taken while working in a research lab at Idaho State, or on their own as hobby microscopists. Entries were judged on their creativity, originality, and the accompanying description or image’s impact on their research.
This year’s winning photo, “Initial Staging of Lythrypnus dalli Embryos,” was captured by graduate student Abbie Symanietz and features various stages of embryonic development in bluebanded gobies. This research is conducted in the laboratory of Devaleena Pradhan, associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences.
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CoSE Faculty to Lead CAREER Grant Panel Discussion
Join the Office for Research Development and ISU's CAREER awardees, Anna Grinath, Courtney "Cori" Jenkins, Devaleena S. Pradhan, and Sarah Godsey, for an informative discussion on Wednesday, March 11, from 2 to 3 p.m. Topics will include getting ready to apply for a CAREER grant, obtaining preliminary data, incorporating educational activities into your research, working with program officers, and more.
All faculty and staff are welcome to attend, and pre-tenure faculty in NSF-supported fields are especially encouraged to attend. NSF-supported fields include: astronomy and space, anthropology, biology, chemistry, computing, economics, Earth and the environment, education and training, engineering, materials research, mathematics, physics, psychology, social sciences, science and technology studies, STEM workforce development, and multidisciplinary studies.
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Reminder: Spending Restrictions Through June 30
From the Division of Finance:
As we prepare for the implementation of several structural changes in FY2027, we must also carefully steward our current fiscal year (FY2026). Our initial budget planning strategy included a $500,000 operating holdback and salary savings generated through the OAR process. Additionally, we have been asked to plan for a further 1–2% reduction ($1–2 million) in the current fiscal year. To responsibly manage this shortfall and avoid more disruptive measures—such as year-end furloughs—we will work together by immediately curtailing discretionary spending in central university funds.
Read the Feb FY2026 Operating Memo
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New Faculty Development Program to Enhance Institutional Research Capacity
Idaho State University has announced the launch of Aligning Stakeholders and Structures to Enable Research Transformation (ASSERT), a new faculty development program designed to increase institutional research capacity. This initiative aims to cultivate a community of scholars by supporting faculty as they work to overcome structural, cultural, and personal barriers to conducting transformative research.
The program is a collaborative effort between Academic Affairs and the Office for Research. Funded by the NSF-EPSCoR ICREWS grant, ASSERT represents a strategic investment in the long-term research vitality of Idaho State University. The initiative advances the objectives of the state EPSCoR program by supporting faculty development and encouraging regional alignment through coordinated efforts with Boise State University and the University of Idaho.
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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.
| | | | RSVP Today for the 4th Annual Teaching and Learning Symposium | |
You are cordially invited to the 4th Annual Teaching and Learning Symposium hosted by the Center for Learning and Instructional Excellence, in partnership with the College of Business and College of Education, Friday, March 13, from 9 to 11 a.m., in the Salmon River Suites at the Pond Student Union Building.
This year’s symposium, A Student-Ready Campus: How Faculty Practices Shape Learning, Discovery, and Student Success, invites us to consider an important question in higher education: Are our classrooms and institutions designed for the students we actually serve?
The last day to RSVP is Friday, March 9.
| | Upcoming Budget Town Halls | |
ISU’s budget realignment and revenue-generation strategies prioritize long-term structural alignment to support efficiency, clarity, and strategic reinvestment in ISU’s mission. Employees are invited to attend an upcoming town hall event for further discussion. The town halls are planned for:
Meridian
March 10 at 3 p.m.
Classroom 845
Pocatello
March 12 at 3 p.m.
Bengal Theater
Idaho Falls
March 13 at 11 a.m.
BSUB Multi-Purpose Room
These town hall events will be in-person only.
| | Free Employee Headshots March 3 | Headshot photos are available for employees of Idaho State University. During the scheduled sessions, you do not need to make a reservation, just come to the studio and you will receive your photo via email. For questions, contact ISU Photo Services at isuphoto@isu.edu. | | | March 2 | Mid-term week | | March 9 | Late 8-week courses begin | | March 10 | Early 8-week course grading closes at 5:00 pm | | March 23 | Spring Break (no classes) | | April 27 | Late 8-week and full semester course grading opens | | May 4 | FINAL Examinations | | May 8 | Spring 2026 classes end | | May 9 | Commencement - Pocatello (May & August 2026 graduates) | | May 11 | Commencement - Meridian (May & August 2026 graduates) | | May 12 | Late 8-week and full semester course grading closes at 4:00 pm | | May 18 | Classes begin for Early-4, Early-6, Early-8 and Full term | | May 25 | Memorial Day holiday (Monday - no classes) | | | Upcoming Events in the College of Science and Engineering | | |
Department/Program
Physics
Event
Colloquium: Ultraviolet Raman Spectroscopy Characterization of (Ba,Sr)TiO3 Thin Film Heterostructures
Dmitri Tenne
Boise State University
Details
Mon Mar 2
4 pm
https://isu.zoom.us/j/83187145542
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Department/Program
Biological Sciences
Event
Sabbatical Talk
Mike Thomas
Idaho State University
Details
Thu Mar 5
4 pm
LC 10
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Department/Program
Mathematics and Statistics
Event
Colloquium: Why Proof Competency is Not Enough: Logical Consistency When Evaluating Mathematical Arguments
Kyeong-Hah Roh
Arizona State University
Details
Mon Mar 9
4 pm
PS 308
https://isu.zoom.us/j/85010225613
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Department/Program
Biological Sciences
Event
NSF Sabbatical Talk
Keith Reinhardt
Idaho State University
Details
Thu Mar 12
4 pm
LC 10
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Department/Program
Biological Sciences
Event
Ruth Timme
Food and Drug Administration
Details
Thu Mar 19
4 pm
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Help Us Share Your Accomplishments!
Our College’s outstanding faculty, staff, and students achieve many notable research and professional accomplishments. In addition, our departments regularly have newsworthy advancements. We want to make sure those stories are shared publicly. Here are a few ways you can provide a news tip to help get the word out:
Use this Story Submission Form to send your news tip to the Office of Marketing and Communications.
Send an email to Logan McDougall (loganmcdougall@isu.edu) with a brief description of the news to be shared.
You are always welcome to create a draft story, submit it via the Story Submission Form, or send it to Logan. The Office of Marketing and Communications and Logan will coordinate to get the story finalized and distributed to the media outlets/platforms that best tell the story.
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