Research

Tech Company Omron Gifts $830,000 and Robotics to Transform CSU, Chico’s Mechatronics Laboratory
A generous gift from global technology giant Omron has upgraded Chico State’s mechatronics laboratory, making it one of the most advanced labs of its kind in the nation.

Religion—and Diversity of Thought—at Center of Professor’s Teachings
Professor Bruce Grelle advocates that learning about religions should not be polarizing—it makes us better citizens of a global society.

Religion Professor Bruce Grelle Featured in TIME Magazine
The director of Chico State's Religion and Public Education Project is among the experts to address prayer in schools for TIME Magazine.

No Bones About It: Fossil Find a Whale of a Mystery
Geological and environmental sciences professors Russell Shapiro and Todd Greene were called to collect mysterious 15-million-year-old fossils unearthed by an earthquake that rocked the Mojave Desert on July 4, 2019.

Student Leads Swipe Against Hunger
After struggling to meet her basic needs early in her life, Jessica Ramirez is fighting food insecurity on campus with Swipe Against Hunger.

Autism Clinic Helps Build Skills for Life
Chico State's Autism Clinic serves children on the autism spectrum—strengthening their gross motor skills while lifting their confidence.

Engineering for a Better Tomorrow
Whether focused on clean drinking water or eliminating single-use plastics, engineering students spent the last year tackling some of society’s most pressing challenges.

Worth Sharing: Model UN Team Shines
A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

Student Teams Work to Alleviate Housing Insecurity
The cross-disciplinary course concludes this week with presentations on partnerships and policies to find solutions for students, Camp Fire survivors, and generally unsheltered individuals.

University’s Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve Scheduled For Prescribed Fire
Chico State's Ecological Reserves are partnering with Terra Fuego and Cal Fire to conduct a prescribed burn on Tuesday.

Mapping a Displaced Population
New maps from an interdisciplinary team of researchers begin to reveal the how, why, and where Camp Fire survivors have moved.

Water Contamination Goes Under the Microscope
A team of faculty and student researchers is examining the magnitude of water contamination that resulted from the Camp Fire, as well as public health and environmental implications.

The Camp Fire’s Forgotten Communities
In chronicling the stories of survivors, the Camp Fire Oral History Project has captured the challenges of recovery among the most rural populations.

Groundbreakers
Four faculty discuss their current research and how they aspire to change the world.

The Changing Face of Chico State
Today, Chico State is home to more identities and expressions than ever. Yet, “first gen” is one of the fastest-rising identity markers. The University is focused now more than ever to ensure they achieve their dreams—no matter how high they are set.

Every Two Minutes
Every two minutes, a new case of breast cancer is diagnosed in the United States. Meet three alumni whose lives are driven by these tiny yet deadly cells.

Coral, Relationships, and Us
In this episode of "Out of Curiosity," Chico State professor Cawa Tran explains how her research on sea anemones, coral, algae, and the symbiotic relationships that tie us all together can help us learn not only how to preserve the reefs, but how to examine our own relationships.

Curiosity Fueled Alumnus’ Journey to Mars
Sam Clegg (Chemistry, ’92) fed an insatiable curiosity to become a laser spectroscopist and chemist at Los Alamos—and help us learn more about Mars than ever before.

Making Sense of Monsters
Asa Simon Mittman has been working to legitimize the field of monsters as a worthwhile study for much of his career. It worked.

Talking Politics at the Dinner Table
We dread political conversations with family because of how tense they can be. But Professor Kate McCarthy sees similarities in interfaith dialogue that can help us find common ground, even in politics.

Business Alumnus Brings Biotech to Chico
Alum John Aylworth pivoted from orthopedics to his own blossoming biotech company—then moved it back to Chico.

Rehab By Robot: Students Research ACL Solutions
Two students' CSC2 research project aims to use robot power to help rehabilitate healing knees.

‘Adopt An Acre’ Catches Critters on Camera
With support from the Adopt An Acre program, student researchers are using trail cameras to get a snapshot of the wildlife that roams the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve.

“Apollo at 50:” Local Scientists Commemorate History, Look Ahead
Lisa Westwood and Dave Schlom, local experts on the American space program, share their excitement for the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing, space heritage, and what the future holds for space travel.

Making the Stars Your Map
On this episode of the University podcast "Out of Curiosity," Chico State professor Nick Nelson explains the old-school method of finding way your home: celestial navigation.

Warriors Against Wildfire
At the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve, action to temper and prevent devastating wildfires has been taking place for 20 years.

Predicting the Weather is Chaos
In this episode of "Out of Curiosity," Chico State physics professor Nick Nelson explains the chaotic business of weather prediction on planet Earth.

Faculty Boost Grant Skills at Boot Camp
The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs is immersing faculty in a program to strengthen their grant proposal skills and elevate the University's research profile.

CSU, Chico Establishes Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems
Chico State has long been a pioneer in sustainability and a leader within agricultural education. Now, these two priorities will merge.

A Virtual Vision of Recovery
With state-of-the-art technology and fast-paced research, students preserved a virtual scan of the historic Honey Run Covered Bridge—and it may help bring it back.

A Stronger Sense of Space
Master’s candidate Mary Gibaldi focused her English studies on the subject of space in literary worlds while discovering her own new expression of “home.”

Leaving—and Receiving—a Lasting Impression
A rolling stone most of his young life, Brett Day put down roots in Chico long enough to find a new love: printmaking. Now, he's off to explore again.

What Can We Learn From the Dirt?
On this episode of Out of Curiosity, professor Garrett Liles explains why soil is "the most important thing on the earth."

The Search for What Remains
Leading the nation's largest recovery effort since 9/11, Chico State's Human Identification Laboratory responded to the Camp Fire for the crucial, yet daunting task of searching for human remains.

Finding Answers Through Forensics
The Human Identification Laboratory's faculty members operate the most experienced forensic lab west of Texas, providing vital information on dozens of homicides, traumas, and cold cases every year.

How To: Help Someone in Pain
How do you speak to a loved one has experienced loss or trauma? Psychology professor and therapist Kyle Horst offers some tips.

How Do We Talk to Each Other About Race?
On this episode of the podcast, sociology professor Nandi Crosby-Jordan examines how cultural and racial differences can and should shape our conversations with each other.

Campus Research Probes ‘Sit-Lie’
Chico State researchers perform an extensive case study to evaluate city policies impacting unsheltered people.

Take Action, Demand Satisfaction: Managing Anxiety
On this episode of the podcast "Out of Curiosity," professor Joel Minden explains anxiety and suggests some strategies for managing it.

Cinq founder enjoying the sound of success
Alum Barry Daffurn has long embraced the world of digital distribution. Now he is the founder of Cinq Music Group, a Los Angeles-based music and entertainment management company with its finger on the pulse of digital music trends and distribution practices.