College of Sciences

Sep 13, 2022

Chemist Pierce Wins a Chancellor’s Innovation Fund Award

Professor and LORD Corporation Distinguished Scholar Joshua Pierce received one of six Chancellor’s Innovation Fund awards this year to continue his research on effective bacterial biofilms treatment. Pierce is also the head of NC State’s new Integrative Sciences Initiative, a cross-disciplinary effort at the university that will bring together students and faculty from all across its campuses to develop new solutions to society’s greatest challenges. 

Sep 6, 2022

COMAP Gift to Science House and Data Science Academy to Support High School Students

A non-profit mathematics education organization has donated $60,000 to the Science House and the Data Science Academy at NC State to support high school programming that gets more students interested in data science. The gift from the Consortium for Mathematics and Its Applications (COMAP) will provide rural and high-need schools with training, resources and support to participate in mini data challenges at NC State that lead to participation in national and international challenges such as the High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling. 

Sep 6, 2022

Teen Wolfpack: Young Graduate Makes History

Sixteen-year-old Madhusudan Madhavan doesn’t yet have a North Carolina driver’s license, but he does have an undergraduate degree in applied mathematics with a minor in physics from NC State. The Cary teenager graduated this spring with a 4.0 GPA in just six semesters, plus a handful of classes in multiple summer sessions, thanks in part to the Gordon Family Scholarship. 

Sep 6, 2022

Chemist Williams Named Head of Department of Chemistry

Chemist, professor and University Faculty Scholar Gavin Williams was recently named head of the College of Sciences’ Department of Chemistry. Williams, who is also a LORD Corporation Distinguished Scholar, joined NC State’s faculty in 2009 and went on to serve as associate head of the department and, since February 2021, interim department head. Among his many schievements thus far is his development of NC State’s first chemical biology course and his research into combining the power of biology and organic chemistry to provide access to new and complex organic molecules, as well as an innovative platform for drug discovery. 

Aug 15, 2022

College of Sciences Dean Chris McGahan to Retire

College of Sciences Dean Chris McGahan will retire effective January 1, 2023, after dedicating 40 years of service to NC State. McGahan was named dean of the college in November 2017 and has played an instrumental role in advancing the college’s teaching, research and innovation efforts since then, including helping the college raise $71 million during the recently completed Think and Do the Extraordinary campaign — $11 million above the campaign goal. 

Aug 15, 2022

Incoming First-Year Student Andrew Sessions Selected As Belin Scholar

Incoming first-year student Andrew Sessions ’26 is certain of two things: he wants to study biology and NC State is the place to do it. As the newest recipient of the Jacob and Betty Belin Scholarship — the College of Sciences’ largest award for undergraduates — the Cumming, Georgia, native can pursue his studies at NC State without financial stress. 

May 24, 2022

Biological Sciences Professor Hoyo Named Goodnight Innovation Distinguished Chair

The College of Sciences has named Cathrine Hoyo of the Department of Biological Sciences as a Goodnight Innovation Distinguished Chair. This professorship was made possible by a gift from longtime NC State supporters Dr. Jim and Mrs. Ann Goodnight and will further Hoyo’s research into improving our understanding of how early development influences the risk of common chronic diseases, especially those that affect minority populations. 

May 10, 2022

A Perfect Circle

Park Scholar Loujain Al Samara ’22 pursued a broad range of experiences during her four years at NC State, and she graduates this May with a new understanding of what she has learned, how she has grown and what comes next — thanks to private support. 

May 3, 2022

Pushing the Limits: Students Find Purpose, Belonging at NC State

Diego Garza Guajardo and Ednah Sangaka grew up across the world from each other, but they both found a home at NC State. Now, they’re looking ahead to graduation and beyond. 

Apr 26, 2022

David Sieg ’25 Adds Spectator Sport Mathematics to NC State

The Park Scholar’s first major project in the College of Sciences was to bring together math enthusiasts from all disciplines for an exciting competition. The Spring 2022 Integration Bee, a calculus-based problem-solving competition named in the style of the familiar grade school spelling bee, is the result.