Illinois Tech Lewis College of Science and Letters

03/19/2026

A throwback to the Lewis Institute.
While campus has evolved, one thing remains the same: Curious minds, hands-on work, and a campus full of connection.

03/17/2026

Fox News highlights pecans as a heart-healthy snack, citing a 25-year review by the Illinois Tech Food Science and Nutrition team.
The research analyzed more than 20 years of studies and found that people who regularly ate pecans showed improvements in total cholesterol and LDL, often called “bad” cholesterol. Pecans are nutrient dense, providing monounsaturated fats, fiber, and antioxidants linked to cardiovascular health.
Read the full Fox News story to see why pecans are gaining attention as a convenient, heart-smart snack: https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/common-nut-emerges-standout-lowering-bad-cholesterol-25-year-review

Food Science and Nutrition Department, Illinois Tech

03/12/2026

Beekeeping is more than honey, it’s research, education, and community in action.
Assistant Professor of Biology Matthew Smith is working alongside campus partners and local elementary schools to study hive health while teaching students about the vital role bees play in our food systems. By examining how environmental stressors affect colonies, the project connects science, sustainability, and real-world impact.

Watch the full story to see how Illinois Tech’s bees are making an impact:

TranscriptAssistant Professor of Biology

03/10/2026

Luis Mata (MBB 4th Year) came to Illinois Tech with a passion for medicinal science and a curiosity about molecular processes and found a program that turned that curiosity into real-world experience. As a molecular biochemistry and biophysics major, he gained hands-on research experience with faculty memb er David Minh, led an IPRO team in a global synthetic biology competition, and explored innovative approaches to drug design.

Now, Luis is building a path toward a career as a pharmacologist, applying the skills and knowledge that he developed at Illinois Tech to advance the future of drug discovery.

Illinois Tech is not just about a degree; it is about applied learning, meaningful mentorship, and the tools to reach your goals. Read more about Luis’ story through the You, Elevated campaign: https://youelevated.iit.edu/profiles/luis.html

03/05/2026

Catch a glimpse of what everyday life is like at Lewis!

03/03/2026

You, Elevated is back. With new stories that raise the bar. Stay tuned for more!

02/26/2026

Thinking about attending a private college but worried about cost or fit? At Illinois Tech, smaller class sizes, specialized programs, and a close-knit community help students thrive. More than 95 percent of students receive financial aid, and unique partnerships with local companies provide real-world experience in your field. Career connections, student organizations, and Chicago’s urban campus offer opportunities that go beyond the classroom.
Learn more about how a private college experience could work for you: https://www.iit.edu/blog/private-college-benefits

02/20/2026

What does it mean to build systems that truly listen to the communities they serve?
For more than six decades, Esther Sciammarella, M.S. PSYC ’80, has worked to strengthen mental health support within Chicago’s Hispanic community and beyond. As founder of the Chicago Hispanic Health Coalition, she created pathways for training community health workers and advancing culturally responsive care. Her work has helped shape more integrated models of public health in Illinois, grounded in the belief that effective systems begin with listening.
Her leadership later extended statewide through her appointment to the Illinois State Board of Health, where she brought decades of experience advocating for immigrant and Hispanic communities. Throughout her career, Sciammarella emphasized that meaningful change requires collaboration, cultural understanding, and a willingness to work alongside the people most affected.
Read the full alumni story to learn more about her lasting impact: https://bit.ly/4qJtQrK

02/17/2026

Astronomers are uncovering the hidden structure that has quietly shaped our universe for billions of years. Using data from the James Webb Space Telescope, researchers have produced the clearest map yet of dark matter, revealing the cosmic web that guides galaxy formation and large-scale cosmic structure.

Assistant Professor of Physics Emily Leiner explains that this map, created through weak gravitational lensing, traces subtle distortions in distant galaxies to reveal the unseen matter shaping the cosmos. This represents a major advance beyond previous Hubble maps and sheds light on the 85% of the universe’s mass that remains invisible.
Read the full story to learn how this discovery is helping scientists understand the universe like never before: https://www.iit.edu/news/mapping-universes-hidden-framework

02/13/2026

Could AI change the way we handle our health information?

OpenAI’s newly announced ChatGPT Health feature invites users to upload medical records and connect health apps, bringing the ethics of AI in medical contexts back into focus.

Professor of Philosophy and director of the university’s Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions, Elisabeth Hildt, is skeptical of the tool’s role in medical decision-making. She emphasizes that ChatGPT Health is not a medical tool and does not align with medical standards. She also raises a key question: if the tool produces misleading information or causes harm, who is actually accountable?

Her concerns highlight why it’s important to look deeper into the ethics and risks of AI in health care. Read the full story: https://bit.ly/3O7cXd1

02/11/2026

Science moves forward because of women and girls who lead with curiosity and purpose. Today, we celebrate the women and girls in science who push boundaries, challenge ideas, and expand what is possible. Across our campus, women among our faculty, staff, and student body are leaders in discovery, learning, and innovation. Through research, mentorship, and collaboration, they shape the direction of science every day and inspire the Lewis community to ask bold questions and become the change they want to see in science and beyond.

Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science!!!

02/09/2026

Step aboard Halcyon Daze with Illinois Tech Professor Carly Kocurek.

In this special feature, Carly discusses her role as lead researcher and producer on Halcyon Daze: The Final Voyages of Disney’s Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser and how her expertise in helps shape the documentary’s narrative.

Get an inside look at Carly’s approach, her research process, and how she brought this one-of-a-kind immersive experience to life.