• 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.

  • A blue- and gold-colored alloy that is oval shaped.
    Scientists to use superpowers of AI and innovative synthesis to develop new, stronger magnets

    A team led by Kirill Kovnir, professor of chemistry, will use artificial intelligence tools and innovative synthesis methods to develop new, super-strong magnets. The U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy is supporting the work with a $2.7 million grant.

  • A professor stands in front of a screen while talking with a group of students seated at tables.
    Writing with AI demands more thought from students, not less

    In a new study, Abram Anders, associate professor of English and the Jonathan Wickert Professor of Innovation, and co-author Emily Dux Speltz suggest the biggest hurdle in teaching students to write with AI isn’t the technology — it’s the students’ assumptions about what writing is.

  • A multi-colored 3D depiction of an atomic model of ExoN and how it recognizes the sofosbuvir. Background shows actual cryo-EM images of ExoN particles, which are gray colored.
    ‘Atomic snapshots’ of proofreading enzyme could lead to better COVID-19 drugs

    A research team led by Yang Yang used images from a cryogenic electron microscope to better understand why a common type of antiviral drug struggles to fight off the virus that causes COVID-19, findings that will guide designs for more effective treatment.

  • Monic Behnken
    Monic Behnken named American Council on Education Fellow

    Monic Behnken, associate dean for strategic innovation in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has been named an ACE Fellow for academic year 2026-27. The ACE Fellows Program combines retreats, interactive learning opportunities, visits to campuses and other higher education-related organizations, and placement at another higher education institution to condense years of on-the-job experience and skills development into a single year.

  • Psychology student Molly Sickels.
    Researching the possibilities

    Molly Sickels (’26 psychology) has immersed herself in numerous undergraduate research opportunities in the Department of Psychology.

  • Matt DeLisi
    Science association honors Matt DeLisi for studies of criminal behavior

    The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is honoring College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean's Professor and Distinguished Professor Matt DeLisi for his contributions to criminal justice.

  • Bill Gallus
    Bill Gallus to present Spring 2026 Dean’s Distinguished Lecture

    Bill Gallus, Distinguished Professor in the Department of the Earth, Atmosphere, and Climate, was selected by Dean Benjamin Withers to deliver the Spring 2026 LAS Dean’s Distinguished Lecture on Tuesday, March 24, at 6 p.m. The lecture, “Iowa’s Surprising 2020 Derecho: What Have Meteorologists Learned?” will be presented in…