Penn State Energy and Environment News

Christian Pester named Rising Star in polymer research

| news.engr.psu.edu

Christian Pester, associate professor of chemical engineering, was recognized as a 2023 Rising Star in Polymers by ACS Polymers Au, a publication of the American Chemical Society. 

Plan to renovate Osmond Laboratory advances

| psu.edu

The Penn State Board of Trustees Committee on Finance, Business and Capital Planning advanced a proposal today (Feb. 15) to renovate a portion of Osmond Laboratory at the University Park campus, constructing a 48,000-square-foot addition in support of the physics department. 

Ming Ma receives the international Nico van Wingen Memorial Graduate Fellowship

| psu.edu

Ming Ma, a doctoral degree candidate in the John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering at Penn State, received the international Nico van Wingen Memorial Graduate Fellowship from the Society for Petroleum Engineers. The fellowship is given to exceptional doctoral students seeking a career in academia. Ma was nominated for his research on optimizing oil recovery and storage by utilizing carbon dioxide (CO2) injections, which could help reduce CO2 emissions.

Applications open for pilot Provost Endorsement Program Providers for 2024-25

| psu.edu

The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost and the Office of Vice Provost of Faculty Affairs have announced open applications for the Provost Endorsement Program for the 2024-25 academic year. This initiative, part of the University's ongoing efforts to support faculty professional development, invites faculty and academic leaders to apply for the opportunity to lead a program in the coming academic year.

​Provost Endorsement Program spring and summer 2024 offerings for faculty

| psu.edu

The Provost Endorsement Program at Penn State has announced its spring and summer 2024 offerings for faculty professional development.

Feb. 19 EarthTalks: Carbon emissions trading, incentives in building retrofits

| psu.edu

Wangda Zuo, Rahman Azari and Jiazhen Ling will give the talk, “The Economic Impacts of Carbon Emission Trading Scheme on Building Retrofits,” at 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 19 in 112 Walker Building on the University Park campus.

How a legal loophole allows gas leaks to keep on flowing

| e360.yale.edu

A new federal rule will cut major methane emissions from natural gas production. But residents of Pennsylvania’s fracking region contend that the cumulative impact of smaller leaks, which go unreported, will continue unabated, compromising their air, water, and health. This article quotes Jennifer Baka, associate professor of geography and IEE faculty member.

Penn State ranked first for faculty Fulbright Scholars for second straight year

| psu.edu

Penn State has been ranked first in the nation in faculty Fulbright Scholar awards by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, with 12 faculty members offered Fulbright awards for academic year 2023-24.

Plans underway for Penn State AI Week, April 1-5

| happyvalleyindustry.com

Penn State AI Week is set for April 1-5, 2024, with events and activities being planned at Penn State campuses and virtually. “We’re eager to get as much participation as possible for the first-ever Penn State AI Week so we’re planning relevant sessions that are accessible to students, staff, and faculty across all Penn State campuses, both in-person and virtually,” said Penn State AI Hub Director David Hunter.

Heard on campus: Nikki Crowley on 30 years of neuroscience advances

| psu.edu

Nikki Crowley recently spoke at the Ashtekar Frontiers of Science, an annual public lecture series held by the Eberly College of Science, on 30 years of advances in cell signaling and neuroscience.

Applications open for Graduate School's Accelerate to Industry Immersion Week

| psu.edu

Penn State graduate students interested in careers in industry and in gaining business, leadership and communication skills are invited to apply for the Graduate School’s Accelerate to Industry Immersion Week, taking place May 6-10 on the University Park campus.

Stable profits, land preservation matter to farmers debating solar leases

| psu.edu

While a stable and predictable profit is an important factor to Pennsylvania farmers considering leasing out their land for solar energy development, it’s not enough on its own, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers.