Featured news at KU


Our top featured stories

Girl laying on bed looking at smartphone.
Jeffrey Hall, professor of communication studies at the University of Kansas, finds that the latest research on links between social media use and well-being does not support dire claims or bans. His findings were published in the 25th anniversary edition of the Journal of Medical Internet Research.

Other featured news

Young woman laying on bed looking at smartphone.

Communication studies expert attacks myths about harms of social media

Jeffrey Hall, professor of communication studies at the University of Kansas, finds that the latest research on links between social media use and well-being does not support dire claims or bans. His findings were published in the 25th anniversary edition of the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
Yellow silflower blooming in greenhouse-like structure

$2.5M grant will support nature-based study of pathogen resistance in perennial crop systems

A new five-year, $2.5 million grant will support a KU-led project exploring alternative routes to pathogen resistance in a potential perennial oilseed crop, silflower (Silphium integrifolium). The project is funded through the federal program on Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases.
Leishmania major promastigotes in culture photographed via microscope

Research points the way to lifesaving antiparasitic drugs while unlocking a scientific mystery

A breakthrough in understanding how a single-cell parasite makes ergosterol (its version of cholesterol) could lead to more effective drugs for human leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease that inflicts about 1 million people and kills about 30,000 people around the world every year.
A photo of a pair of elderly wrinkled hands.

Parkinson’s drug comes to market with help of renowned University of Kansas pharmaceutical chemist

Valentino Stella, University Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Kansas, assisted in developing Vyalev, a new Parkinson's drug therapy marketed by pharmaceutical firm AbbVie.

Research



In a new paper, Elizabeth Felix, assistant professor of sociology at the University of Kansas, investigates the presence of a potentially unique actor in the stigma process: the aversive stigmatizer. These are individuals who deliberately reject negative cultural stereotypes but still hold implicit mental illness-related biases that may inadvertently influence discriminatory behaviors.
Better understanding of eating disorders is necessary to both identification and development of effective treatment, but the Latina demographic has historically been underrepresented in research.
A photo of a pair of elderly wrinkled hands.
Valentino Stella, University Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Kansas, assisted in developing Vyalev, a new Parkinson's drug therapy marketed by pharmaceutical firm AbbVie.

Kansas Communities



Through to a community effort involving Russell County organizations and services provided by KU's RedTire (Redefine your Retirement) program, Russell County residents are still receiving local dental services, and Dr. Michael Jones is enjoying his retirement.
A new website from the Center for Educational Opportunity Programs is designed to provide high school students, current college students and adult learners engaged in college access and success programs — including TRIO, GEAR UP and CAMP (College Assistance Migrant Program) — with a one-stop hub for information on scholarships, internships and more.
Architect's drawing of new addition
Construction will begin next month on a 5,500-square-foot addition to the Kansas Geological Survey Drill Core Library in the West District of the University of Kansas Lawrence campus. The library preserves cores from 6,500 wells in Kansas for future study.

Economic Development



The woods can be a place of adventure and beauty, a peaceful escape for a walk. But among the leaves and grass, the threat of ticks can turn a hike into a health-altering encounter with Lyme disease. A recent $3 million Small Business Innovation Research award will fund the research and development of a vaccine to stop Lyme disease in its tracks.
Panasonic Energy and the University of Kansas today announced that they have signed an agreement aimed at promoting the development of next-generation technologies and the cultivation of specialist expertise in the field of lithium-ion batteries.
Photo of hands holding an Avium electrolyzer stack prototype
With $5 million in support from U.S. Department of Energy, the University of Kansas and Avium, a startup firm founded by researchers from KU’s School of Engineering, aim to make clean hydrogen more affordable.

Student experience and achievement



“Good Morning Indian Country,” a Native student-led weekly news and information program by University of Kansas journalism students and students from Haskell Indian Nations University, received a $100,000 grant to focus on skill training.
Each year on Veterans Day, ROTC students participate in an honor guard vigil on Memorial Drive, along with other remembrance activities, such as laying wreaths at each of the veterans memorials on campus. Meet some of the Jayhawks participating in this tradition.
Carolisa Watson
Carolisa Watson, doctoral student in geography at the University of Kansas, has earned the distinguished Dwight D. Eisenhower/Clifford Roberts Graduate Fellowship from the Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College.

Campus news



The Dole Institute’s Post Election Conference on Dec. 11 will bring together journalists, practitioners and experts to analyze campaign results throughout the country and what they’ll mean for the next two years.
Betsy Barnhart, associate professor and director of the Industrial Design Program in the School of Architecture & Design, was presented with the award Nov. 23 during halftime of the football game between KU and Colorado.
Ground-level rendering of Phase II of KU Gateway Project
Phase II seeks to develop new facilities that benefit the Lawrence campus community while driving economic growth in the region.

Latest news

KU debaters standing and seated around couch in small room in Washington, D.C.

KU Debate opens 2025 with 2 tournament wins

The KU Debate program opened the new year by winning two college tournaments Jan. 3-6. The team of John Marshall and Graham Revare won a tournament hosted by Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., while the team of Claire Ain and Jared Spiers won a tournament hosted by KU in Lawrence.
Young woman laying on bed looking at smartphone.

Communication studies expert attacks myths about harms of social media

Jeffrey Hall, professor of communication studies at the University of Kansas, finds that the latest research on links between social media use and well-being does not support dire claims or bans. His findings were published in the 25th anniversary edition of the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
University remembers Christopher Allen

University community remembers engineering professor Christopher Allen

The University of Kansas community is remembering a longtime researcher and scholar in the School of Engineering. Christopher Allen, professor of electrical engineering & computer science, died Dec. 14, 2024.
Yellow silflower blooming in greenhouse-like structure

$2.5M grant will support nature-based study of pathogen resistance in perennial crop systems

A new five-year, $2.5 million grant will support a KU-led project exploring alternative routes to pathogen resistance in a potential perennial oilseed crop, silflower (Silphium integrifolium). The project is funded through the federal program on Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases.