College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
LAS News
Search
Close Search
Give
Toggle Menu

News

  • A person is holding a baby turtle.
    Antenna-like cell appendage linked to turtles’ sex-deciding warmth-sensing

    A new study led by Professor Nicole Valenzuela in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, suggests an antenna-like cellular sensor that’s a growing focus in human health could play a central role in how turtles become male or female, which in most species is based on incubation temperature.

    August 7, 2026

  • Charlie Bennett sitting down.
    From runner to entrepreneur

    Charlie Bennett ('28 English) transformed his personal health journey into a software platform that helps people better understand their blood work through Iowa State University’s CYstarters summer accelerator program.

    August 3, 2026

  • Aerial view of Iowa State University's central campus during fall, with colorful autumn trees, the iconic Campanile clock tower, and campus buildings in the background. A red banner at the bottom reads 'LAS NEWS' in bold white letters.
    The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) appoints Nettleton and Dell to college leadership team

    Faculty members Dan Nettleton and Brad Dell have been appointed to roles on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences' leadership team.

    July 29, 2026

  • Danny Smith standing outside of Physics Hall
    Cyclone Aide helps new students find their place at Iowa State 

    Wilson-Smith (‘28 physics) is one of 47 Iowa State Cyclone Aides who works with New Student Programs. His role goes beyond leading campus tours. He helps incoming students navigate orientation, answers their questions, and makes one of the biggest transitions of their lives feel a little less overwhelming.  

    July 28, 2026

  • Hugo Salgado posing in front of a white background.
    Digital repository preserves El Salvador’s last Indigenous language 

    Hugo Salgado, assistant professor in the Department of World Languages and Cultures at Iowa State University, is protecting one of the world’s most endangered languages by documenting not only how it is spoken, but also the cultural knowledge embedded within it. Through an open-access digital repository, Salgado is preserving Nawat, the only Indigenous language still spoken in El Salvador.

    July 28, 2026

  • Innovation in LAS and photo of the Iowa State Campanile.
    LAS research projects selected for U.S. Department of Energy Genesis Mission

    Iowa State researchers, including some in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, are part of a national initiative to build the most powerful integrated science discovery platform by uniting government, industry, academia and philanthropy. The projects will accelerate breakthroughs in energy, scientific discovery and national security through a new platform that combines artificial intelligence, supercomputing, quantum systems and advanced scientific instruments.

    July 22, 2026

  • Student conduct an experiment in a chemistry lab at Iowa State University.
    LAS undergraduate students propel research projects forward

    Twenty-five undergraduate students in Iowa State's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) received the LAS Dean's High Impact Award for Undergraduate Research during the spring 2026 semester.

    July 20, 2026

  • Lake Laverne and the Memorial Union with the text Faculty Honors in the lower left
    Computer science professor receives NSF CAREER award

    Mengdi Huai, assistant professor of computer science, is one of five Iowa State research scholars selected for Faculty Early Career Development Program CAREER awards from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

    July 16, 2026