Huskie Trek Talks: Ideas in Motion
Huskie Trek Talks showcases the bold, interdisciplinary work of NIU faculty and students who are driving innovation, research and artistry across campus. Their stories reflect NIU’s commitment to building a better, more equitable future—one idea at a time.
Each year, presenters demonstrate how their innovative projects address pressing challenges in healthcare, environmental sustainability, community engagement and more. The NIU Foundation Board of Directors awards funding to outstanding projects, advancing research that makes meaningful impact.
The Huskie Trek Talks event is produced by the NIU Foundation.
2025 Featured Videos
The 2025 Trek Talk event was held on March 1, 2025. For more information, see our complete list of presenters.
From Plains to Dinner Plates: Safeguarding our Food Supply
Aleena Kallan, a biological sciences major, researches the gut microbiome of bison to better understand their potential role in transmitting harmful pathogens to humans.
Invisible Threats, Visible Solutions and Microplastics Research
Professor Melissa Lenczewski, Ph.D., and her team use laser technology to research microplastics and their impact worldwide on groundwater and the environment.
Making Amends and How Apologies Rebuild Trust
Psychology student Isabelle Van Winkle works with Professor Randy McCarthy to study the impacts of apologies on relationships.
Step-by-Step on How AI-Powered Gait Analysis is Transforming Autism Screening
Ziteng Wang, Ph.D., associate professor of industrial and systems engineering, leads a team testing an app that uses gait analysis to assess a child’s likelihood of autism.
2024 Featured Videos
The 2024 Trek Talk event was held on May 3, 2024. For more information, see our complete list of presenters.