Landscape-U program connects grad students with Navajo Nation
| psu.edu
Over spring break 2023, Penn State graduate students traveled to Arizona to participate in a transformational research experience as part of the Landscape-U program. During the week students visited sites connected to food, energy and water topics, the focus of the trip. They also visited traditional working landscapes within Navajo Nation and learned firsthand about its rich culture and history.
GENIUS workshop equips underrepresented students for geography graduate programs
| psu.edu
Penn State’s Department of Geography held a May workshop aimed at supporting third- and fourth-year students from underrepresented groups in their journeys toward applying for graduate programs in geography, coined the GENIUS workshop — Geography Education Networking Initiative for Underrepresented Scholars.
Faculty success and equity workshop registration now open
| psu.edu
Registration is now open for the “Initiative for Faculty Success and Equity Workshop” on Aug. 17 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center.
Growing cover crops under vineyard vines is a sustainability strategy
| psu.edu
The perfect pairing for certain fine vines may be grasses. A new study by Penn State researchers shows that in regions with fertile soils that receive plenty of rainfall, growing cover crops under the vines so that the vineyard floor is completely covered with vegetation is a sustainability strategy.
Crop exhibits, renewable energy, hay contest featured at Ag Progress Days
| psu.edu
Crop management, wildlife and conservation education, as well as the signature hay show, will be offered in and around the J.D. Harrington Crops, Soils and Conservation Building during Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, Aug. 8-10.
'Green chemistry' courses at Shenango discussed at global conference
| psu.edu
Associate Teaching Professor of Chemistry Kathy Shaffer presented virtually at the "Integrating Green Chemistry into Higher Education Day" event about the integration of "green chemistry" courses into Penn State Shenango's chemistry curriculum.
Search launched for new dean of the Penn State College of Engineering
| psu.edu
Penn State has launched a national search for the next Harold and Inge Marcus Dean of the College of Engineering. Tracy Langkilde, dean of the Eberly College of Science, will chair the search committee.
Newly identified protein regulates the creation of cellulose in plant cells
| psu.edu
Cellulose — an integral component of plant cell walls — is an important source of food, paper, textiles and biofuels, but how its creation is regulated within plant cells has remained unclear. Now, a team led by researchers at Penn State has identified a protein that modifies the cellular machinery responsible for producing cellulose, which ultimately lends stability to that machinery.
Tandem Repeat is revolutionizing sustainable fashion with AI-designed squid proteins to reduce plastic harm
| forbes.com
Squitex technology is poised to transform the fashion industry with a sustainable, non-polluting replacement for petroleum and animal-based fibers. This article quotes Melik Demirel, Huck Chair in Biomimetic Materials and Pearce Professor of Engineering.
MatSE establishes 115th Anniversary Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Fund
| psu.edu
To help support its commitment to creating an environment that promotes diversity in the field so that the next generation of experts tasked with creating and improving materials incorporates all perspectives, the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MatSE) at Penn State established the 115th Anniversary Materials Science and Engineering Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Fund.
Drought Task Force maintains drought watch status for all of Pennsylvania
| news.yahoo.com
Following a meeting of the Commonwealth Drought Task Force this week, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will maintain a statewide drought watch. This article mentions Penn State.
Allegheny County is no longer in ‘moderate drought’ designation; observers say current trends good for crops, greenery
| post-gazette.com
After a spat of heavy storms in the last week, the drought situation in Allegheny County has been downgraded to “abnormally dry” — but close observers of weather say it’s not yet known if the trend holds in the coming weeks. This article quotes Brian Wolyniak, renewable natural resources and urban forestry educator with Penn State Extension.
Once a frozen haven, climate-driven rising temperatures are rapidly thawing the Arctic permafrost, posing a major threat to communities and infrastructure. Researchers are investigating how these changes will transform rivers, with potential consequences for erosion, sediment transport, and the entire Arctic landscape. Additionally, their project incorporates art to communicate these critical findings in an engaging way. Listen to the podcast.
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