Celebrating 2024: Top 20 Stories from the College of Science

12-17-2024

Innovation, Perseverance, Impact

Discover the highlights of an extraordinary year in the College of Science with our Top 20 news stories of 2024. From groundbreaking research breakthroughs to inspiring student achievements and transformational milestones like the dedication of the Hall of Data Science and AI, to the the naming of the James Tarpo Jr. and Margaret Tarpo Department of Chemistry, these moments showcase the innovation, perseverance, and impact of our vibrant Purdue Science community

Purdue President Mung Chiang and Lucy Flesch, the Frederick L. Hovde Dean of the College of Science, celebrate with Robodog on Friday (Oct. 18) during dedication ceremonies for the university’s new Hall of Data Science and AI. (Purdue for Life Foundation photo/Gerry Robiños)

Purdue dedicates new Hall of Data Science and AI

Purdue University dedicated the Hall of Data Science and AI, a state-of-the-art facility designed to meet the growing demand for graduates in computer science, data science and artificial intelligence and foster interdisciplinary innovation across diverse fields.

Peace, Love, and Parasites: The Enduring Legacy of Dennis Minchella

From a Greyhound bus ride with a suitcase to five decades of impact, Dennis Minchella’s journey at Purdue is a story of resilience, mentorship, and innovation. He’s inspired 18,000+ students and reshaped science education with humor and heart.

Stephanie Gardner: 2024 Charles B. Murphy Award winner

Purdue’s top teaching honorees, like Associate Professor Stephanie Gardner, are transforming education by championing student-centered learning and research. From sparking curiosity to fostering belonging, they’re shaping Boilermakers’ success today—and redefining tomorrow’s workforce.

Unveiling Cancer's Balancing Act: Exploring Protein Phosphatases and Therapeutic Strategies

Driven by the loss of a friend, Assistant Professor Brittany Allen-Petersen is uncovering cancer’s hidden vulnerabilities. Her groundbreaking research on protein phosphatases promises innovative therapies for deadly cancers like pancreatic and lung, offering new hope for patients.

150 years of Chemistry at Purdue, Harvey Wiley started it all

Purdue Chemistry celebrates 150 years of groundbreaking discoveries and education, from Harvey Washington Wiley’s leadership as the first professor to Nobel-winning breakthroughs. A legacy of innovation continues shaping the future of science and society.

A new name for Chemistry, same goal to educate and innovate

Purdue University honors decades of transformational generosity by renaming its chemistry department the James Tarpo Jr. and Margaret Tarpo Department of Chemistry, celebrating the couple's $23 million legacy of advancing science education and innovation.

Purdue quantum photonics center established with $13.9 million DOE funding

Purdue University secures $13.9M from the Department of Energy to lead the Quantum Photonics Integrated Design Center, uniting top institutions to revolutionize quantum light sources and shape the future of energy-efficient technologies.

World Malaria Day: Next steps for Purdue treatment of drug-resistant strains

On World Malaria Day, Professor Philip Low highlights a promising breakthrough in the fight against malaria: repurposing the cancer drug Imatinib, which has shown nearly 100% effectiveness in clearing the disease.

Purdue Computer Science, Lawson Building

14 New Faculty Members Join Purdue Computer Science

Purdue's Department of Computer Science welcomes 14 new faculty members, bringing expertise in robotics, machine learning, cryptography, and more. Their diverse research will drive innovation and advance Purdue's mission to lead in education and discovery.

Patrick Cavanaugh, a research engineer at Purdue’s Ray Ewry Sports Engineering Center, demonstrates how virtual cycling competitions function in a remote environment. (Purdue University photo/John Underwood)

Helping virtual cycling belong on the world stage

Purdue’s Dongyan Xu, a leading expert in cybersecurity, is helping ensure the integrity of virtual cycling by addressing data security challenges. His contributions are crucial for making the sport Olympic-ready for 2028.

More than machines: Computer scientist prepares robots to improve human lives

Sooyeon Jeong is pioneering ways for robots to improve lives, from helping stroke patients recover speech to supporting cancer patients with personalized care. Her innovative work focuses on making robots compassionate, culturally aware, and capable of real human connection.

From concepts to community: Purdue’s Bridge Program empowers new CS students

The Bridge Program empowers incoming computer science, data science, and AI students with little to no programming experience, helping them build confidence, lasting connections, and the skills needed to thrive in their studies.

Prof. Tongcang Li (left), Dr. Yuanbin Jin (middle) and Kunhong Shen perform experiments with levitated and rotating fluorescent diamonds at Purdue University.

Purdue Physicists throw world’s smallest disco party

Purdue physicists have thrown the world’s smallest disco party, levitating fluorescent nanodiamonds that spin at mind-boggling speeds. Their groundbreaking research reveals the fascinating effects of rotation on quantum spins, opening new frontiers in quantum mechanics.

Stellar forensics: Clearest ever look at Cassiopeia A sheds light into the heart of an exploding star

Associate Professor Danny Milisavljevic’s Year 1 research on the James Webb Space Telescope has produced a detailed image of the Cassiopeia A stellar remnant, translating infrared light into visible wavelengths and providing the clearest-ever view of the supernova’s core and surrounding gas.

The BTST, a key piece of the upgraded CMS detector, arrives at CERN

A key component for CERN's High-Luminosity LHC era has arrived: the BTL-Tracker Support Tube (BTST). This carbon fibre structure, designed by Purdue University's CMS group, will support vital particle detectors in the upgraded CMS detector.

Purdue University planetary scientist Briony Horgan is nearing a new phase in her research on Mars as NASA’s Mars rover Perseverance gets closer to exiting Jezero Crater, leading to opportunities to research new areas of the red planet’s terrain.

Purdue scientist expecting new world to reveal itself to Mars rover

Purdue planetary scientist Briony Horgan is poised for new discoveries as NASA’s Perseverance rover approaches the Jezero Crater rim, uncovering some of Mars’ oldest rocks—key to understanding the planet’s history and potential for life.

Members of Crew 288 at the Mars Desert Research Station in Hanksville, Utah: Jesus Meza Galvin, Lipi Roy, Riley McGlasson, Jilian Welshoff and Hunter Vannier. Not pictured: Cesare Guariniello and Ryan DeAngelis

Journey to ‘Mars’ with Purdue analog astronauts

Purdue's "analog astronauts" braved Mars-like conditions at the Mars Desert Research Station over winter break, conducting groundbreaking research, building teamwork, and solving real-life challenges in preparation for future space exploration.

Purdue University leaders at the dedication for the new Gautschi supercomputer. From left Petros Drineas, department head of Computer Science; Karen Plaut, executive vice president for research; Irena Swanson, department head of Mathematics; Walter Gautschi, professor emeritus of computer science and professor emeritus of mathematics; Darryl Granger associate dean for faculty affairs in the College of Science

The Gautschi supercomputer unveiled in dedication ceremony

The Rosen Center for Advanced Computing (RCAC) recently unveiled the Gautschi supercomputer, named in honor of Purdue professor emeritus Walter Gautschi, marking a new milestone in cutting-edge computational research.

If your data was used to train an AI, it might – or might not – be safe from prying eyes.

Here’s how machine learning can violate your privacy

Machine learning has revolutionized fields like personalized medicine and self-driving cars, but its ability to memorize training data raises privacy concerns. The trade-off between performance and privacy protection continues to challenge the industry.

Researchers at Purdue University, led by Guang Lin, professor of mathematics and mechanical engineering, teamed up with researchers from Hong Kong Polytechnic University to unveil a miniature computational spectrometer that could revolutionize the way scientists analyze light-matter interactions.

Purdue researchers unveil miniature computational spectrometer

Purdue researchers, led by Professor Guang Lin, have developed a groundbreaking miniature computational spectrometer that uses artificial intelligence to revolutionize light-matter analysis, offering a compact, high-performance alternative to traditional bulky spectrometers.