Happy holidays from the SDSU Research Foundation! Our offices will be closed from Monday, December 22, through Friday, December 26. Please note that limited staff will be available during the week of December 29. Additionally, we will be closed on Thursday, January 1. ❄️

Led by geology professor Dr. Jillian Maloney, fourteen @sandiegostate.bsky.social students embarked on a week-long research expedition to the Channel Islands to explore what the ocean floor might reveal about early human history. Read the full story: tiny.cc/v8zv001

Stella Tavallaei, a clinical scholar of marketing, co-authored a report on “The Gift Exchange Taboo,” published in Marketing Letters. The study revealed that gift recipients often overestimate how offended givers would feel if their gift were exchanged or returned. tiny.cc/h8zv001

Theresa McCune bought nearly a fifth of an acre of land at a delinquent tax auction in Las Vegas. She designed and built a single-story home in memory of her mother, Alice Theresa Means, a public school teacher who earned a master’s degree at what was then San Diego State College. tiny.cc/a8zv001

@sandiegostate.bsky.social researchers at the Thirdhand Smoke Resource Center studied the effects of thirdhand smoke toxic residue that clings to walls, carpets, and upholstery, which can be especially harmful for children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. tiny.cc/zs5w001

Alex Altomare, Senior Director of SDSU Mission Valley's Innovation District, participated with six students from San Diego State University’s Cyber Security Clinic at the Coronado Roundtable to discuss cyber scams and prevention methods. Read the full story: www.coronadonewsca.com/news/coronad...

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has accepted a $900,000 grant from Health Career Connection, a national nonprofit that expands opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds and inspires the next generation of health leaders. Read the full story: tiny.cc/5hxv001

SDSU Imperial Valley is helping prepare the region’s workforce for opportunities emerging from Lithium Valley, launching new programs in industrial automation, chemistry, plant operations, and critical minerals analysis. Read the full story: calexicochronicle.com/2024/03/18/i...

@sandiegostate.bsky.social, in collaboration with HB Keep, the San Diego Urban League Young Professionals, and First Citizens Bank, recently hosted Adulting 101, a series designed to guide and empower students as they navigate the transition from student to professional life. tiny.cc/ggxv001

@sdsualumni.bsky.social Bion Rice once dreamed of becoming a filmmaker until an idea to create a documentary about winemaking ultimately led him back to his roots and to his family’s winery. Rice is now the owner of Artiste Winery and has released more than 350 original blends. tiny.cc/ygxv001

Robert Luallen, professor of biology at @sandiegostate.bsky.social, and his research team made a discovery using transparent worms that could help improve treatmentsfor gut health issues by revealing how certain beneficial bacteria attach to and establish themselves in the gut. tiny.cc/rtyv001

Kumeyaay artist Johnny Bear Contreras recently installed “Return of the Kumeyaay Creator” outside the library entrance in the Rollie Carrillo Quad at SDSU Imperial Valley. The sculpture brings the university’s Kumeyaay Land Acknowledgement to life through art and interactive lessons. tiny.cc/qfxv001

Inspired by an informal lunch with graduate students at @sandiegostate.bsky.social Faculty-Staff Club, SDSU President Adela de la Torre returned to the classroom after eight years to teach Strategic Leadership in Higher Education. Read the full story: tiny.cc/bexv001

San Diego’s recent heavy rainfall impacted the Tijuana River Valley, causing waterborne contamination as the river swelled with trash, sediment, and pollutants, leading to increased cases of gastrointestinal illness after flooding. Read the full story: tiny.cc/5pcv001

@sandiegostate.bsky.social students spent seven weeks in South Africa through the fully funded Mundt Peace Fellowship, living with host families and working in hands-on service-learning internships with local NGOs. Read the full story: tiny.cc/rkcv001

@sandiegostate.bsky.social recently held its College of Engineering Graduate Research Symposium, where nearly 90 graduate students showcased real-world projects from early flood detection systems for vulnerable populations to robotic skin. Read the full story: tiny.cc/xicv001

Sherri Goodman, the Pentagon’s first deputy undersecretary of defense for environmental security, spoke at @sandiegostate.bsky.social Uechi ISCOR Lecture. Goodman’s lecture focused on climate change and how environmental challenges amplify existing security threats. tiny.cc/jvjv001

San Diego State University engineering professor Hassan Davani visited the San Diego River to address flooding concerns and install cameras for a real-time Artificial Intelligence-based flood warning system that detects rising water levels early. Watch the short video: tiny.cc/5l0w001

Dr. Ellen Ochoa, @sdsualumni.bsky.social, the first Hispanic woman in space and former director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, shared insights on her achievements in a recent interview, where she discussed being a role model for the Latino community, career highlights, & challenges. tiny.cc/mlcv001

@sandiegostate.bsky.social has launched Project HARMONY, a $1.25 million initiative that builds on SDSU’s 30-year partnership with tribal communities to prepare school counselors and psychologists to work effectively with Indigenous youth. Read the full story: tiny.cc/zicv001

The California State University’s system economic impact analysis showed that @sandiegostate.bsky.social generates $9.65 billion in statewide industry activity and ranks first among the CSUs for jobs supported and tax revenue produced. Read the full story: tiny.cc/npcv001

@sandiegostate.bsky.social collection of 5,000 “Dear Doc” letters written by SDSU students, faculty, and staff serving in World War II was brought to life on the USS Midway for its 80th birthday celebration through dramatic readings by actors. Read the full story: tiny.cc/d37v001

@sdsualumni.bsky.social and historian Daniel E. Walker spent 15 years researching former @sandiegostate.bsky.social professor Dr. Danny Lyon Scarborough, an Emmy-winning Africana Studies dance pioneer, uncovering more than 150 hours of archival footage to document his legacy. tiny.cc/b37v001

@sandiegostate.bsky.social students participate in the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics, led by UC Berkeley and supported by Google.org. The program gives students hands-on cybersecurity experience while helping under-resourced organizations protect against digital threats. tiny.cc/437v001

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving. SDSURF will be closed on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28, in observance of the holiday! 🦃

Alicia Guerrero shares her journey from a determined athlete overcoming a prosthetic challenge to becoming a World Para Athletics medalist, showcasing the impact of @sandiegostate.bsky.social Adapted Athletics program. Read the full story: tiny.cc/w27v001

@sandiegostate.bsky.social is launching the SDSU Scam Institute to educate and protect vulnerable households and train a new generation of fraud fighters by partnering with industry, government, and national leaders to combat the rapidly growing $158 billion scam economy. tiny.cc/n27v001

@sandiegostate.bsky.social Aztecs Rock Hunger campaign expanded to San Diego State University Imperial Valley for the first time, with 80% of proceeds supporting the campus food pantry to combat student food insecurity. Read the full story: tiny.cc/i27v001

@sandiegostate.bsky.social associate professor of engineering and an expert in integrating innovative digital, robotic, and AI systems in construction, who has been named the inaugural recipient of the SDSU College of Engineering’s Jim Ryan Chair in Construction Management. tiny.cc/p27v001

@sandiegostate.bsky.social student Jaimie Erle shares how SDSU’s Courage Through Cancer Fund helped her stay in school & eased her family’s financial burden after learning her mother had been diagnosed with stage II breast cancer during freshman move-in weekend. Read the full story: tiny.cc/h27v001

For the first time in its history, Associated Students @sandiegostate.bsky.social will be led by an all-female executive team for the 2025–2026 academic year, uniting leaders from different slates under a shared, student-focused vision. Read the full story: thedailyaztec.com/124856/news/...

The San Diego Food Bank, in partnership with the State of California, the City of San Diego, and @sandiegostate.bsky.social, hosts an emergency food distribution event at Snapdragon Stadium, supporting more than 2,100 people impacted by the government shutdown. Read the full story: tiny.cc/7hyu001

@sandiegostate.bsky.social professor and recent 2025 Cybersecurity Executive of the Year recipient, Dr. Lance Larson, shares how his unique background and academic leadership influence his approach to cybersecurity. Congratulations, Dr. Larson. Read the full story: tiny.cc/obyu001

SDSU Imperial Valley received a $35,000 grant from the Imperial Irrigation District to fight regional heat and the lack of shaded areas, creating safe, comfortable outdoor spaces where students, staff, and faculty can study, gather, and relax. Read the full story: tiny.cc/t2ou001

SDSU Alumni honors Christopher Sickels and the late Frederick W. Pierce IV with the 2025 Ron Fowler Impact Award at San Diego State University’s annual Evening Celebrating Philanthropy, for their impact that goes beyond financial support. Read the full story: tiny.cc/x2ou001

U.S. Navy veteran and @sandiegostate.bsky.social student Roy Foley shares how SDSU’s Military and Veterans Program (MVP) and Troops to Engineers (T2E) helped turn his military experience into an academic career and secure a mechanical engineering job. Read the full story: tiny.cc/q2ou001

@sandiegostate.bsky.social researchers are investigating the health effects of extreme heat on farmworkers in California’s Imperial Valley by using wearable heat-stress monitors and environmental sensors to gather data. Learn more about their research: tiny.cc/gyeu001

Today, we honor the heroes who fought for our freedom and recognize the sacrifices many have made for our country in the name of freedom and democracy! SDSURF will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, in observance of the holiday. #VeteransDay

SDSU College of Engineering professor and researcher George Youssef collaborates with doctoral, master’s, and undergraduate student engineers in his Experimental Mechanics Laboratory to develop and patent materials and manufacturing techniques. tiny.cc/eyeu001

In this inspiring story, @sdsualumni.bsky.social Zeynep Ilgaz shares her journey centered on purpose-driven entrepreneurship and global impact. Learn more about her journey: tiny.cc/cyeu001

Led by Associated Students in partnership with the Economic Crisis Response Team, A.S. Food Pantry, and the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, the annual San Diego State University Aztecs Rock Hunger campaign is back and raising funds to fight food and nutrition insecurity! 🥫 tiny.cc/byeu001

Launched sixty years ago in partnership with UC San Diego, @sandiegostate.bsky.social Joint Doctoral Program in Chemistry was SDSU’s first doctoral program and the first in The California State University system. Read the full story: tiny.cc/9yeu001

@sandiegostate.bsky.social Aztec men’s basketball program received a $5 million gift pledge to support recruitment and retention as it prepares for a 2026 move into the Pac-12 Conference. Read the full story: tiny.cc/7kau001

In the 'Voices of Student Success' podcast, host Ashley Mowreader talks with James Frazee, @sandiegostate.bsky.social chief information officer, about how the university leaders created an equitable AI alliance to address equity gaps in artificial intelligence tools. tiny.cc/kkau001

@sandiegostate.bsky.social stands out in The California State University’s decade-long effort to boost graduation rates, achieving a 62% four-year completion rate and helping lead the system’s student success initiatives. Read the full story: tiny.cc/ikau001

@sandiegostate.bsky.social and Southwestern College recently signed an agreement to develop university-level academic and student support programs at the college in South County to help students progress in careers relevant to the region’s workforce. Read the full story: tiny.cc/8kau001

Congratulations to SDSU Imperial Valley alumna and lecturer Andrea Sanchez, who recently earned the Healthcare Simulation Educator Certification from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. Read the full story: tiny.cc/dkau001

The San Diego Cybersecurity Clinic recently marked its first anniversary at Snapdragon Stadium in SDSU Mission Valley. Launched in 2024, the clinic trains students in practical cybersecurity and AI skills while helping to defend vulnerable organizations and from cyberattacks. tiny.cc/bkau001

Fowler College of Business student Victoria Tapia shares her journey from feeling out of place when she first started at @sandiegostate.bsky.social to receiving an invitation to the HSI Affairs Student Advisory Board & now helping other Latinx students find their purpose on campus. tiny.cc/akau001

This Native American Heritage Month, we honor the rich histories and diverse cultures of Indigenous people and communities. #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth