Inside Impact

Research and creative projects take dozens of forms -- and shape futures in even more ways.

Athletics reserves great seats for student fans who pilot the magic at Hilton Coliseum.

Learning communities are ISU's 'special sauce' in smoothing the transition to college.

Residence halls' house system promotes early connections.

Whether it's a semester or 10 days, 17% of ISU undergraduates study abroad before they graduate.

Awards presented by the state Board of Regents.

Excellent faculty and staff accomplishments.

ISU's highest academic titles awarded to faculty.

Professor David Cantor's articles in the leading supply chain journals put him among the top 5% of scholars in his discipline in research productivity. But he's also respected for his commitment to mentoring other faculty authors and graduate students.

Former first-gen student Zack Bonner said his work is grounded in empathy, listening and understanding the challenges that might derail first-generation students.

Distinguished Professor Lynn Clark is one of the world's experts in classifying bamboo. She has identified about 180 new species -- roughly 10% of the known bamboo species.

Record analyst Teresa Kahler recommends about 350 ISU graduates every year for a teaching license. She understands they -- and a state board of examiners -- are relying on her to be flawless.

Assistant professor of animal science Karl Kerns continuously assesses teaching methods for what will help his "ever-evolving" students retain information and succeed. Video story.

Research scientist Susheel Kumar Nethi's work in the Nanovaccine Institute focuses on targeted drug/gene delivery to fight cancers. The goal is to attack the cancer without damaging healthy organs and tissues.

Ciarán Bowe works through technical challenges to write security plans required for research data, preserving the university's reputation as a trustworthy partner. 

Police dispatcher Tammy Barker relies on empathy and experience to keep campus safe and her coworkers informed. 

Over nearly four decades, pest control operator Curtis Johnson has learned a bit about bugs, bats and beavers. 

Chemical hygiene officer Michelle Thompson likes her behind-the-scenes role as chemist and educator. 

Kurt Beyer helps set the guardrails so clubs can plan experiences that meet their goals. 

Tori Tafoya coordinates operational and food safety protocols for ISU Dining so diners -- and dining employees -- have a great day. 

Awards presented by the state Board of Regents.

Excellent faculty and staff accomplishments.

ISU's highest academic titles awarded to faculty.

Amy Erica Smith uses inquiry, research and reason "to understand what makes people tick."

Chris Hill helps Iowa companies assess their challenges and boost productivity.

Ann Smiley knows universities run best when faculty get involved beyond their requisite job duties.

Raj Agnihotri built a sales program on par with a few select universities.

Kelly Boesenberg figures out how to move players -- and a lot of documents -- to the finish line.

Veterinarians and farmers who need answers on animal health know Dr. Phil Gauger will deliver.

Mindy Cooper tirelessly goes the distance for her academic advisees.

Sharing the stories of women in agriculture inspires her – and also records courageous examples in our state of the industry's changing landscape.

Four Iowa State degrees completed as an employee and U.S. Navy reservist set a standard for his children, advanced his Navy career and buoyed him through two transplant procedures.

Each of the three R&D 100 Awards surprised him but assured him his work "had legs" beyond traditional faculty impacts.

Investing time in her dietetics interns made her an effective mentor to them and allowed her to pay back the same kindness shown her as an undergraduate.

A college Master Teacher Award citing his graduate teaching validated his choice to make teaching and mentoring as useful – and fun – for his students as he can.

Ann Lelis, the lone paralegal in the university counsel office, processes public records requests for the university and serves as policy library administrator.

Sukup Hall makerspace manager Hoa Chi said he's happiest when he's helping engineering students work through solutions to their team projects.

Curator Deb Lewis safeguards more than 700,000 plant specimens at the Ada Hayden Herbarium. Some of the earliest were prepared by alumnus George Washington Carver.

The Ag Engineering/Agronomy Farm is his home base, but Nathan Meyers also is the go-to guy for equipment modifications and precision ag upgrades at the university's other 14 research and demonstration farms.

Costume shop supervisor Doris Nash can turn a Sharpie-on-a-cocktail-napkin sketch into a perfectly fitting stage costume. She's been dressing ISU Theatre actors since 1989.

Awards presented by the state Board of Regents.

Recognizes excellent faculty and staff accomplishments.

ISU's highest academic titles awarded to faculty.

Svitlana Zbarska wants to make Iowa State a top school for opportunities in undergraduate research.

Susan Cross led the psychology department through a pandemic and budget challenges with one goal: support faculty, staff and students.

This interdisciplinary team is helping rural utility providers keep the lights on as weather challenges multiply.

Tin-Shi Tam’s mission is to keep the bells of Iowa State ringing and share them with as many people as possible.

Garland Dahlke combines his education and research in animal nutrition with a patience and respect for computer models to develop software farmers in every state rely on.