Growing Impact: Microplastics in the marsh
| Featuring Raymond Najjar, Lisa Emili, Nathaniel Warner
How microplastics move, settle, and accumulate in tidal freshwater marshes—and what long-term sediment records reveal about the impacts of plastic pollution.
Liver metabolism of an essential amino acid may play a key role in gut health
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Researchers at Penn State recently found, in mice, that a protein critical to intestinal barrier function — helping the gut absorb nutrients while blocking harmful pathogens — is rhythmically controlled by nighttime liver metabolism of the molecule tryptophan.
Harrisburg faculty member named American Society of Civil Engineers fellow
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Shirley Clark, interim director of the School of Science, Engineering, and Technology and professor of environmental engineering at Penn State Harrisburg, has been named a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
New species emerged faster than thought after dinosaur extinction, study finds
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Nature's recovery after an asteroid struck Earth illustrates how quickly species can evolve after extreme events, said Penn State Professor Timothy Bralower, co-author of a new paper in the journal Geology.
Q&A: How researchers and communities build mutually beneficial work
Community-engaged research often raises questions about who benefits from academic work and how knowledge moves between universities and the people most affected by the issues being studied. In his research and film projects, Kirk French, an assistant professor of anthropology and of film production and media studies at Penn State, works with communities as collaborators rather than subjects, shaping research questions, methods and outcomes alongside local partners.
Institute of Energy and the Environment welcomes 15 new faculty members
Fifteen faculty members have joined the Institute of Energy and the Environment (IEE), reflecting the institute’s growing interdisciplinary reach. Together, they bring expertise that connects energy systems, environmental processes and human dimensions, opening new pathways for collaboration and shared research efforts.Bruce Logan, director of the Institute of Energy and the Environment, said the group reflects the range of career stages represented across IEE’s research network.
Electric eel biology inspires powerful gel battery
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Penn State researchers, including Joseph Najem, assistant professor of mechanical engineering; Dor Tillinger, doctoral candidate of mechanical engineering; and Wonbae Lee, doctoral candidate of engineering science and mechanics, developed a state-of-the-art fabrication method to mimic the processes electric eels use to generate electrical bursts. Their approach produces power sources with higher power densities than other hydrogel-based designs, while remaining flexible, support-free, environmentally stable and biologically compatible.
Ask a scientist: What happens to animals during a volcanic eruption?
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Penn State researchers answer questions submitted by elementary school students about volcanic eruptions.
Biggs talk to share creative approaches to environmental data visualization
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Heidi Biggs, design researcher and assistant professor of digital media at Georgia Tech, and Penn State alum, will present at the Department of Geography’s Coffee Hour lecture series at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, in 112 Walker Building and via Zoom.
Graduate students invited to register for 2026 Graduate Exhibition
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Degree‑seeking graduate students from all Penn State colleges and campuses are invited to register for the 2026 Graduate Exhibition, which will take place Friday, March 27, on the University Park campus.
Now accepting submissions for 18th annual Materials Visualization Competition
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The 18th annual Materials Visualization Competition, an annual scientific and artistic visual competition sponsored by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Materials Research Institute, is now accepting submissions through March 1.
Feb. 6 EEEPI seminar: PFAS contamination, news coverage and home prices
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Christopher Timmins, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will lead a seminar on residential market responses to certain toxins in drinking water. The event is part of a seminar series hosted by the Initiative for Energy and Environmental Economics and Policy.