Most-read research stories of 2021

As the pandemic dragged into its second year, Washington State University research that grabbed the most media attention either provided some comfort and hope or warned of more dangers ahead. CAS faculty featured in four of the top 10 most popular stories—including the number one spot—and were well-represented in the next 76 press releases tracked […]

Advancing nutrition for exotic animals

Building on experiences gained at Washington State University, alumnus Troy Tollefson helps black rhinos, giraffes, maned wolves, and other exotic animals live healthier lives in zoos and sanctuaries as an animal nutritionist. After earning a trio of degrees at WSU—bachelor’s and master’s degrees in zoology in 2002 and 2004, followed by

Successful recording in the COVID era

At the onset of the pandemic, performers around the world had to come to terms with what safe music making would look like for the foreseeable future. Many instrumentalists hoping to perform had to play solo or utilize music with electronics to accompany them. “When I think of performing, I immediately envision playing with other […]

Celebrating six decades of nuclear research

After more than 60 years of operation, Washington State University’s nuclear reactor continues to play an important role advancing scientific research both in the Pacific Northwest and across the country. The Training, Research, Isotopes, General Atomics (TRIGA) reactor generates 1 million watts (1 MW) of power annually. It first went critical in 1961 and remains […]

Getting the ratio right

A high protein diet appears linked to kidney disease and shortened lifespans for captive polar bears, a relationship similarly suspected in humans, according to a review led by WSU wildlife biologist Charlie Robbins. “Zoos made some assumptions in the past about the nutritional requirements of polar bears because their diet is almost exclusively

Book Review: Sugar Birds

When Agate “Aggie” Hayes, a spirited and outdoorsy 10-year-old who sketches birds and climbs trees too high, unintentionally causes a devastating fire, she flees in an inflatable boat and hides out in the backwoods, riddled with guilt, dodging bird dogs, and evading rescue. She survives on cattails, salmonberries, and her own instincts and resourcefulness⁠—until someone […]