Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center holds 50th Anniversary Celebration
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Community members gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center in May as the site recently reopened following a multi-month improvement project. The center is now open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with expanded parking, improved accessibility and upgraded stormwater infrastructure, alongside its longstanding hands-on learning and wildlife programs.
Mattress-topper recycling pilot diverts waste, reduces emissions during move out
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Across the first two years of a pilot mattress-topper recycling program, Penn State recycled more than 1,100 mattress toppers and diverted nearly 8,700 pounds of material from disposal. The effort also helped avoid approximately 3.8 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.
College of the Liberal Arts creates Department of Africana Studies
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A proposal to reunite the Department of African American Studies and the African Studies Program in the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts into a single academic unit — the Department of Africana Studies — has been approved by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost after receiving the endorsement of the University Faculty Senate and faculty in the respective units.
Cocoziello Institute advances workforce development through student summit
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Penn State students got a firsthand look at the future of construction during the Cocoziello Institute’s Constructing Tomorrow Student Summit in Pittsburgh. From construction robotics demonstrations to networking with industry leaders, the trip showcased how innovation, workforce development and collaboration are shaping the industry’s next generation.
Q&A: Are plants the key to solving energy and food crises worldwide?
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Costas Maranas, Robert V. & Gloria H. Waltemeyer Chair and Donald B. Broughton Professor of Chemical Engineering at Penn State, is developing computer models and algorithms to help scientists better understand, analyze and redesign biological organisms, including plants. In this Q&A, Maranas discussed how recent breakthroughs in modeling, artificial intelligence and systems biology are accelerating their work, helping plant scientists better understand and repurpose plants into fuel, plastics and more.
Q&A: Pushing the boundaries of observation for the lowest atmospheric layer
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Despite being difficult to comprehensively observe, the lowest layer of the atmosphere, known as the boundary layer, is critical to weather forecasting, according to a team of meteorology and atmospheric science researchers at Penn State. New grant will help the research team expand their data collection and analysis of the boundary layer.
Pennsylvania fruit growers face catastrophic losses after historic spring freeze
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Across Pennsylvania, fruit growers are facing catastrophic losses after repeated swings between warm spring temperatures and hard freezes damaged crops already pushed into bloom. As growers assess the damage, Penn State Extension educators are providing on-farm consultations, management guidance and crop status reporting to help orchards navigate an unprecedented season.
Faculty member marks 50 years of service with College of Agricultural Sciences
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Sridhar Komarneni, Penn State distinguished professor of clay mineralogy, marked 50 years with the College of Agricultural Sciences March 1. He came to the University in 1976 in a career move he said he has never regretted.
Q&A: New text to serve as reference for advances in plant development
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Hong Ma, professor of biology and Huck Chair in Plant Reproductive Development and Evolution, is the co-editor of a new book, Regulation of Plant Development, recently published by Springer Nature. The book presents a synthesis of recent advances in plant vegetative growth and diverse aspects of reproductive development and provides an integrated reference for scientists advancing genetic improvement of crop plants for sustainability, according to Ma and the co-editors.
Engineering professor named American Society of Mechanical Engineers fellow
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Ibrahim Ozbolat, a professor of engineering science and mechanics and of biomedical engineering, has been elected a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. The honor places him among a select group of engineers acknowledged for their impact on research, innovation and the profession.
Third Center for RNA Molecular Biology Symposium brings together researchers
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In this Q&A, Paul Babitzke, Don Bryant Chair in Microbial Physiology, and Philip Bevilacqua, distinguished professor of chemistry and of biochemistry and molecular biology, shared about the history of the Center for RNA Molecular Biology and the importance of its annual symposium.
Penn State student wins international award for sourdough microbiome research
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Quinn Burnett, a fourth-year food science student in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, was recognized for her research on how sourdough starter microbiomes affect the digestibility of breads at the IPA World Congress + Probiota 2026 conference.