Prasanta K. Kalita, professor of agricultural and biological engineering in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences with a joint appointment in The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, died on July 5. 

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign student Xylia Greeson is a recipient of the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.

“I didn’t initially believe it,” Greeson said about when she first received the announcement. “It was a very pleasant surprise, and it will open so many more doors in the field. Being at Illinois, and now receiving this fellowship, has been a dream come true. I’m so thankful and blessed.” 

On the evening of Tuesday, June 30, the Family Resiliency Center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and collaborators from local chapters or sections of “Divine Nine” organizations—the nickname for the coalition of nine historically Black sororities and fraternities—as well as affiliated organizations like the National Council of Negro Women and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People hosted a video premiere event titled “Out of the Basement.” Attendees f

Bin Peng, assistant professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, recently received a Conservation Research Award from the Soil and Water Conservation Society, recognizing his excellence in soil, water, and nutrient conservation research.

The Illinois 4-H Experience Auction returns Sept. 18–20, offering 24 one-of-a-kind experiences and exclusive memorabilia that help support programming and opportunities for Illinois youth. 

Supporters can preview the auction now, explore the offerings, and start planning their bids before bidding opens at 8 a.m. Central Time on Friday, Sept. 18, and closes Sunday, Sept. 20. 

The great rivers of the world function not only as physical landscapes, but also as complex systems shaped by human intervention, warfare, and climate change as explored in a series of books by emeritus soil scientist and environmental researcher Kennenth R. Olson. 

A couple of miles south of the main quad at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a remarkable agricultural experiment is taking shape. The so-called Alma Mater Plots are unique in their setup — with 64 one-acre plots, each individually tile-drained, it’s the largest experiment of its kind anywhere. And, to maximize the value of the experiment to Illinois and Midwest agriculture, scientists are teaming up with farmers in deciding what, exactly, to study.

Technological advances in autonomous truck technology are poised to have significant economic ripple effects for U.S. interstate commerce, highway infrastructure and labor costs, says new research co-written by a team of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign economists.

Self-driving truck technology “has a very high potential to change the economic geography of the U.S.,” said Taejun Mo, an Illinois graduate student and first author of the paper.