Dr. Lauren Esposito is the Curator and Schlinger Chair of Arachnology at the California Academy of Sciences. Lauren’s current research investigates the patterns and processes of evolution in spiders, scorpions, with a focus on tropical islands.
Past Events: Penn State Energy and Environment Calendar Archive
You're viewing an archived collection of past energy and environment events from around Penn State and beyond. Please visit our Event Calendar to view current and upcoming events.
For almost 2 decades, plastic usage has grown with each passing year; as such, plastic waste has also grown substantially during that period. Over the last 10-15 years, the calls to increase recycling rates of plastic have also grown, but virtually nothing has happened. There is a confluence of events now taking place that will drive change, but the most important question to address is not “why” this will happen, but “how” it will occur.
Seth Cassell is State Forester/Director of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry. In his role, he is responsible for overseeing management of the 2.2 million acre, third-party certified State Forest system and conserving and protecting the health of the Commonwealth’s forests and native wild plants. Cassell has served the Bureau of Forestry in various roles since 2000, in field forestry, urban forestry, communications, land acquisitions and resource planning.
Cellulosic biofuels fell short of expectations a decade ago but are likely needed as part of the sustainable energy transition. Perspectives will be offered pursuant to configuring Cellulosic Biofuel 2.0 for success, including:
•The need for cellulosic biofuels as key components of the sustainableenergy transition, with an emphasis on negative emissions.
•Selected technologies with potential to enable cost-competitive conversionof cellulosic biomass to fuels for light and heavy duty vehicles.
A free screening of the documentary "From the Heartland" hosted by the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN). Following the screening, there will be a Q&A panel discussion with Shawn and Becky Feikema, co-owners of Feikema Farms featured in the film. Also with Carolyn Heckman of EEN, Professor Sjoerd Duiker of Agricultural Sciences, and Emeritus Professor Fred S. Cannon of Environmental Engineering. Visit CreationCare.org/Screening to register now and save your spot!
Farmland in the US is of prime interest for grid-scale solar energy development, yet the legalities and governance of solar energy leases are complex and ever-evolving. Therefore, there is a growing need to define and legitimate what farmland is worth prioritizing for (or protecting from) solar development and to clarify the processes for negotiating private solar leases, particularly with developers’ use of non-disclosure agreements and option contracts.
Climate Dynamics Seminar (Meteo 575)
Attend the AWRA 2024 Spring Specialty Conference, co-hosted by the AWRA Future Risk Committee and the Alabama Water Institute. The theme for the conference is "Water Risk and Resilience: Research and Sustainable Solutions."
Dow is a global producer of polymers such as packaging and specialty plastics. Driving sustainability and circularity in the market is part of Dow’s corporate ambition. However, shifting from a linear to a circular economy has technical and infrastructural challenges. In this talk, Dr. Majumdar will provide an industry perspective on the opportunities, challenges, and potential solutions for driving circularity using plastic wastes as alternate feedstocks.
Recently, and maybe longer, a topic dominating headlines in higher education has focused on some aspect of access. And by access, the focus has been on the ability to afford to attend an institution of higher education. Sometimes there is a hint of helping overcome other barriers to entry, but those all seem to be secondary. Yet, if we truly consider access to higher education, we must include all aspects of our tripartite mission – teaching and learning, research and creative expression, and community or public engagement.
A publication is often considered to be a key product of academic research. It is the public-facing record of the research that is archived and available for others to read, as well as part of a portfolio that impacts the professional advancement of researchers. Authorship is therefore an important aspect of a publication. This talk will highlight some considerations that are relevant when determining the list of authors that is included on a publication.
Sleep is a vital behavior for health and well-being, but who has time to sleep? This presentation will highlight the interdisciplinary research of the Sleep Health, & Society Collaboratory, Including the role of work in sleep and cardiometabolic health, recent findings using machine learning in sleep wearable, how sleep is involved in healthy aging and brain health, and tips for healthy sleep.
It's been over two years since we began planning for the CHIPS Act opportunities, and finally, we are seeing the first programs to which PSU can contribute. In this brief presentation, I will provide you with an update on our current status and explain how you can get involved.
The Millennium Café runs 10-11am in the 3rd floor Café Commons of the MSC Bldg. Join researchers from across campus for a stellar cup of coffee and two <10 min interdisciplinary talks.
Attend the AWRA 2024 Spring Specialty Conference, co-hosted by the AWRA Future Risk Committee and the Alabama Water Institute. The theme for the conference is "Water Risk and Resilience: Research and Sustainable Solutions."
Happy Valley is in a path of 95% totality for the solar eclipse that will darken the skies on Monday, April 8, and the Penn State and local communities are invited to join Eberly College of Science faculty, staff, and students for a public viewing and science activities. The college is partnering with the State College Spikes to host the SolarFest event at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Attend the AWRA 2024 Spring Specialty Conference, co-hosted by the AWRA Future Risk Committee and the Alabama Water Institute. The theme for the conference is "Water Risk and Resilience: Research and Sustainable Solutions."
The Penn State Eberly College of Science’s Sustainability Council has announced that the 2024 Sustainability Expo will be held Saturday, April 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center.
This free event, open to the public, will focus on sustainability efforts at Penn State and feature a research poster competition with cash prizes for undergraduate and graduate students and postdocs, nature walks and guest speakers, as well as a special presentation by Eberly College of Science Sustainability Council Chair Charles Anderson.
The Penn State student chapter of the American Nuclear Society (ANS) won the bid to host the 2024 ANS student conference at University Park. The conference is scheduled for April 4-6, 2024, and will have the theme of “Keystone of Tomorrow.”
The ANS is the “premier organization for those that embrace the nuclear sciences and technologies for their vital contributions to improving people’s lives and preserving the planet,” according to the ANS website. Each year, the organization’s student conference is hosted by a student chapter of ANS and its affiliated university.
We are pleased to announce the 26th annual Penn State Interdisciplinary Environmental Research Symposium (PIERS), formerly Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology Student Symposium (ECMSS), at the University Park campus on April 5 and 6, 2024! PIERS is a student-run symposium providing a platform for graduate and undergraduate researchers working in environmentally relevant fields to come together.
Geography Coffee Hour with Dr. Emily Bernhardt, Duke University
Emily Bernhardt, ecosystem ecologist and biogeochemist at Duke University, will present "Resist, adapt or retreat? The consequences of rapid climate change for coastal landscapes and communities," at the Department of Geography's Coffee Hour lecture series.