WSU News

First-of-its-kind, $1M gift strengthens student support in College of Arts and Sciences The support comes as affordability, basic needs, and everyday financial pressures are increasingly shaping whether students persist or pause their education.

A $1 million gift of private equity stock is creating a new endowed fund at #WSU’s College of Arts and Sciences to expand flexible support for students, particularly first-generation Cougs facing financial barriers. news.wsu.edu/news/2026/03...

WSU, Fluke partnership expands hands‑on training for engineering students The collaboration places professional-grade Fluke equipment into engineering classrooms and labs across the WSU system.

A new partnership between #WSU and Fluke Corporation will place professional-grade diagnostic tools in engineering labs across five campuses, giving more than 4,000 students hands-on experience with the equipment widely used in industry. news.wsu.edu/news/2026/03...

After 27 days missing, veterinary student’s cat finds healing at WSU A cat named Simba is finally home after 27 days missing and six more in intensive care at WSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital – where his owner is training to become a veterinarian.

A cat named Simba is finally home after 27 days missing and six more in intensive care at #WSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital — where his owner is training to become a veterinarian. news.wsu.edu/news/2026/03... #GoCougs

Researchers develop beating, 3D‑printed heart model for surgical practice Model offers the prospect of improved training procedures for heart surgeries that doesn't involve animals or cadavers.

WSU researchers have developed a 3D-printed model of the left side of the heart that contracts and beats, offering the chance for surgeons and medical students to rehearse important heart surgeries. news.wsu.edu/press-releas... #WSU

Inside WSU’s first Global Summit on AI, technology, and the future of higher education The summit brings together tech leaders, higher education innovators, faculty, students, and policymakers to examine the structural shifts and what WSU can do.

WSU’s first Global Summit on March 12–13 will convene national tech leaders, faculty, students, and policymakers to move beyond AI hype and focus on the practical choices that will shape teaching, research, and student success in the years ahead. news.wsu.edu/news/2026/03...

WSU students forge ancient Greek sword for international competition A team of WSU students is preparing to showcase a handcrafted ancient Greek sword at The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society Bladesmithing Competition, held during the society’s annual meeting next m...

A team of #WSU students is preparing to showcase a handcrafted ancient Greek sword at The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society Bladesmithing Competition, held during the society’s annual meeting this month. news.wsu.edu/news/2026/03...

Washington State University honored for Transformational Change Initiative projects Launched in 2016, TCI's efforts to bolster overall student success were recently recognized by the American Council on Education.

The Transformational Change Initiative - launched by #WSU in 2016 to bolster overall student success - was recently recognized by the American Council on Education. news.wsu.edu/news/2026/02...

Rescue Mission Washington State University researchers work to solve irrigation water needs from complex aquifers.

As groundwater that supports billions in crops dries up, #WSU researchers are working to understand and help rescue one of the Northwest’s most vital aquifer systems. news.wsu.edu/news/2026/02...

Women more likely to choose wine from female winemakers Study from WSU and Auburn demonstrates that women, who are the largest group of wine buyers in the U.S., respond to messages promoting women's ownership in wineries.

Study from #WSU and Auburn demonstrates that women, who are the largest group of wine buyers in the U.S., respond to messages promoting women’s ownership in wineries. news.wsu.edu/press-releas...

New CT scanner to benefit pets throughout the region With the addition of a new CT scanner, WSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital can deliver faster, more precise diagnoses — improving the outcomes for animals across the Inland Northwest.

With a new high-performance CT scanner, Washington State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital can deliver faster, clearer, and lower-dose imaging—improving diagnosis and care for pets across the Inland Northwest. news.wsu.edu/news/2026/02... #WSU

EPA criminal sanctions align with area’s wealth, not pollution New study maps locations of the most serious federal actions against polluters and analyzes correlations among a range of socioeconomic and environmental factors.

New #WSU research shows the federal government’s toughest environmental enforcement actions tend to be in communities of greater wealth, not the most polluted places. news.wsu.edu/press-releas...

Toxic exposure creates disease risk over 20 generations Disease risk persists generation after generation following a single initial exposure, with some problems growing even worse over time.

New #WSU research shows a single exposure to a toxic fungicide during pregnancy can increase the risk of disease for 20 subsequent generations. news.wsu.edu/press-releas...

Prenatal infection increases risk of heavy drinking later in life WSU study suggests potential pathway for prenatal treatment with antioxidant that may reduce risk for alcohol use disorder in adulthood.

New #WSU research finds that exposure to infection in the womb can increase the risk of heavy drinking later in life — and that prenatal antioxidant treatment may help reduce that risk. news.wsu.edu/press-releas...

Augmented reality menus may help restaurants draw customers AR menus could enhance how restaurants present information about where ingredients are sourced and how the food is produced, a WSU study shows.

news.wsu.edu/press-releas...

Eye on the future: WSU prepares for next chapter in the story of AI New aquaculture initiative and future plans to connect national labs into a single supercomputer are on the horizon as the technology advances.

WSU is gearing up for the next chapter of AI with a $50 million federal investment to build a regional research hub tackling challenges from saving salmon to advancing sustainable aquaculture and clean energy. news.wsu.edu/news/2026/02...

Study of NBA finds that pay inequity among top performers erodes cooperation WSU research examined a decade's worth of data from the NBA to draw lessons about the effects of pay disparities on performance.

WSU research examined a decade’s worth of data from the NBA to draw lessons about the effects of pay disparities on performance. news.wsu.edu/press-releas...

WSU scientists build on expertise in energy grid, computer security AI is a two-sided coin for power grids and cybersecurity: A potential problem, in terms of energy use and cyberthreats, as well as a tool for addressing future challenges.

As AI reshapes how we use power and data, WSU researchers are helping build and protect the energy grid of tomorrow — while strengthening cybersecurity to keep critical systems safe. news.wsu.edu/news/2026/02...

New biosensor technology could improve glucose monitoring Wearable sensor could improve wireless monitoring for diabetes patients, making it more cost-effective and accurate while less invasive.

WSU researchers have developed a wearable, microneedle-based biosensor that could make glucose monitoring more accurate, affordable, and less invasive for people with diabetes. news.wsu.edu/press-releas...

WSU weaving AI into the classroom, aiding K–12 teachers As professors decide, class by class, how to integrate AI, researchers are building resources for the state's rural K–12 classrooms.

WSU is weaving AI into its classrooms and partnering with K–12 teachers to build a “rural roadmap” that helps small-town schools keep pace, from AI tools in middle school science to mobile training for educators across Washington. news.wsu.edu/news/2026/02... #WSU

WSU MBA alum Chris Stokes reflects on an unlikely Olympic journey From a chance trip to Calgary to the real-life story behind Cool Runnings, WSU MBA alum Chris Stokes reflects on how a leap of faith became one of the Olympics’ most improbable journeys.

From a chance trip to Calgary to the real-life story behind Cool Runnings, #WSU MBA alum Chris Stokes reflects on how a leap of faith became one of the Olympics’ most improbable journeys. news.wsu.edu/news/2026/02... 🇯🇲🥇#GoCougs #Olympics

Flying high: At WSU, ‘seahawks’ get second chances As the Seahawks head into Super Bowl Sunday, WSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital is giving real “seahawks” a second chance, from treating injured ospreys to returning birds like team mascot Taima to th...

Ahead of the Super Bowl, #WSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital is giving real “seahawks” a second chance to fly, from injured ospreys to the Seahawks’ live augur hawk mascot. news.wsu.edu/news/2026/02... #GoCougs

Federal budget includes historic support for WSU Congress includes nearly $55 million in direct investment for WSU, supporting high-impact research, workforce development, and infrastructure projects system-wide.

Big news for #WSU: A new federal budget includes nearly $55 million in historic support for research, workforce development, and infrastructure—thanks to bipartisan backing from Washington’s delegation. news.wsu.edu/news/2026/02... #GoCougs

Seeing is believing: WSU tool for visualizing hydrogen fuels Airbus advances Researchers in the HYPER lab have created a tool for visualizing liquid hydrogen, boosting its work with Airbus to speed development of a zero-emission commercial airplane.

WSU researchers have built a first-of-its-kind tool that lets scientists watch liquid hydrogen boil inside a pipe—work that’s helping Airbus move closer to a carbon-free airplane. news.wsu.edu/news/2026/02... #WSU #GoCougs

Pinpoint forecasting among the tools WSU brings to agriculture As more and more farm-level data becomes available, the ability to use AI tools for forecasting yields, weather, pests and other factors improves.

WSU is using AI and hyper-local data to help farmers make smarter decisions, paving the way for future farms. news.wsu.edu/news/2026/02... #WSU #GoCougs

Multiple bacteria may be behind elk hoof disease WSU study finds that multiple bacteria, rather than a single pathogen, cause hoof disease that afflicts elk herds across the Pacific Northwest.

New #WSU research shows multiple bacterial species working appear to be driving a debilitating hoof disease affecting elk herds across the Pacific Northwest. news.wsu.edu/press-releas...

WSU research sees rise in grant funding for 2025, in fifth straight year of growth Research activity rose 14.5% in fiscal year 2025, reflecting investments across a range of scientific work in agriculture, energy, sustainable fuels, and other fields.

WSU research funding climbed to $461.9 million in FY 2025, marking a fifth straight year of growth as Coug researchers advance solutions in health, agriculture, energy, and public safety. news.wsu.edu/news/2026/01... #GoCougs #WSU

WSU projects draw on AI to advance medical science AI is fueling change in how human health is studied and medical care is delivered.

From cancer mapping tools to faster, more accurate diagnostics, #WSU researchers are using AI to accelerate medical discovery and transform how human and animal health is studied and treated. news.wsu.edu/news/2026/01...

WSU launches revisioning initiative for its general education curriculum A new, system-wide initiative will re-envision WSU’s general education curriculum to better serve today’s students while staying true to the university’s land-grant mission.

WSU is taking a fresh look at how undergraduates learn, launching a system-wide effort to re-envision general education and ensure it reflects today’s students, future careers, and the university’s land-grant mission. news.wsu.edu/news/2026/01... #WSU

WSU employee and her dog to compete at Westminster dog show After nearly 70 dog shows in a single year, a WSU employee and her Cardigan Welsh Corgi are headed to New York City to compete at the 150th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

A #WSU veterinary technician and her award-winning Cardigan Welsh Corgi are heading to New York City to compete on a national stage at the 150th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Feb. 2. news.wsu.edu/news/2026/01... 🐕

Revolutionary technologies deeply woven into WSU’s research and teaching In everything from health care to agriculture, AI tools are fueling scientific inquiry and being adapted for applications to benefit the public.

From labs and farms to classrooms and communities, #WSU is weaving artificial intelligence into research and teaching to advance its land-grant mission and tackle real-world challenges in health, agriculture, energy, and beyond. news.wsu.edu/news/2026/01...