Penn State Energy and Environment News

Presidential Public Impact Research Awards program holding informational webinar

| psu.edu

The Presidential Public Impact Research Awards (PPIRA) program at Penn State will hold an informational webinar and Q&A from 9-10 a.m. on Friday, March 15, via Zoom. PPIRA will recognize and support teams of two to four faculty members and their students across Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses who are interested in or are already conducting research that benefits their communities in pursuit of public impact.

Penn State finalizing plans for major renovations to Sackett Building, Hammond Building demolition

| statecollege.com

Penn State plans to begin work late this year for a project that will significantly renovate the historic Sackett Building and, eventually, demolish the much-maligned Hammond Building.

Sun and space: Harnessing cold universe and solar power for renewable energy

| psu.edu

As traditional energy methods increase in cost and take their toll on the environment, Penn State researchers are turning to two underutilized renewable resources, the sun and outer space, for solutions to generate electricity and passively cool down structures. A mechanical engineering research team developed and tested a dual cooling and power strategy that simultaneously harvests solar energy in a solar cell and directs heat away from Earth through radiative cooling.

March 18 EarthTalks: Heat adaptation actions for cities to improve public health

| psu.edu

Benjamin Hobbs, Theodore M. and Kay W. Schad Professor of Environmental Management, Rui Shi, doctoral student, and Ali Eyni, doctoral student, all at Johns Hopkins University, will give the talk, “City-HEAT (Heat Equity Adaptation Tool): A multi-objective, uncertainty-based planning framework for urban heat adaptation and management,” at 4 p.m. on Monday, March 18, in 112 Walker Building on the University Park campus.

E. Willard and Ruby S. Miller Endowed Lecture slated for March 15

| psu.edu

Harvey J. Miller, professor of geography at Ohio State University, will give the talk "Mapping Columbus' Ghost Neighborhoods: Using AI and GIS to Create 3D Models of Neighborhoods Damaged by Urban Highways and Urban Renewal in the 20th Century" at the annual E. Willard and Ruby S. Miller Endowed Lecture at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, March 15.

Call for ambassadors for Research-to-Policy Collaboration program

| psu.edu

Research findings can often be underutilized in policymaking, leading to limited public benefit from taxpayer-funded research. A program at Penn State is offering scholars from across the country the opportunity to engage with policymakers to help research evidence and expertise inform policy decisions.

Clinical and Translational Science Institute hosts external program leadership

| psu.edu

Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute’s recent annual External Advisory Board meeting overflowed with innovative ideas; impactful work across the commonwealth; and recognition, praise and insightful feedback from board members.

Knappenberger named chemistry department head

| psu.edu

Kenneth Knappenberger Jr., professor of chemistry, has been named the new head of the Penn State Department of Chemistry, effective July 1. Knappenberger succeeds Phil Bevilacqua, who has served as the head of the department since 2018.         

Robert J. Kumpf to present 2024 Richard E. Tressler Lecture on March 14

| psu.edu

The 2024 Richard E. Tressler Lecture in Materials will be held at 3:05 p.m. Thursday, March 14, in 111 Wartik Laboratory on the Penn State University Park campus. Robert J. Kumpf, managing director at Deloitte, will deliver the lecture, “The long history and bright future of applied materials science.”

2024 Climate Solutions Symposium registration open

| psu.edu

Registration is open for the 2024 Climate Solutions Symposium, which is designed to bring people together to stimulate projects and partnerships where Penn State’s interdisciplinary research strengths can inform and transform climate solutions.

Project reveals pandemic perceptions in Alaskan fishing community

| psu.edu

Penn State researchers examined community member's COVID-19 perceptions in Bristol Bay, Alaska, home to the world’s largest commercial salmon fishery, and found perceptions of risk varied across race/ethnicity groups by residency and income.

Eco-poet ties narratives of protecting insects to larger themes of resilience

| psu.edu

Penn State Sustainability is hosting eco-poet and author Heather Swan, March 20-23, to explore the importance of insects and the work of those trying to protect them, as well as how these efforts can model more productive narratives about our global future.