Urban stormwater study finds little difference between managed, unmanaged flows
| news.psu.edu
At a time when many municipalities are seeking to control urban stormwater by investing heavily in green infrastructure — such as water-quality ponds, infiltration basins, porous pavement and riparian plantings — a new study suggests that these expensive efforts may not have much of an impact.
Researchers address need for bridges in remote Alaska as climate warms
| news.psu.edu
Bridges are increasingly critical for remote communities in rural Alaska, where global warming is causing rivers to freeze later, thaw earlier and form thinner ice. With a new grant from the National Science Foundation, researchers at Penn State plan to investigate the importance of bridges for the well-being of remote Alaskan communities and develop a protocol for these and other communities to fund, construct, monitor and maintain bridges.
Proposals for energy, environment research projects being accepted
| news.psu.edu
The Institutes of Energy and the Environment announced its 2021–22 Seed Grant Program, inviting researchers throughout the University to submit proposals by Nov. 19.
Building expert joins national STEM diversity and inclusion program
| news.psu.edu
Esther Obonyo, director of the Global Building Network and associate professor of engineering design and architectural engineering, was recently named a fellow in the third cohort of the IAspire Leadership Academy, a leadership program aimed at helping STEM faculty from underrepresented backgrounds ascend to leadership roles at colleges and universities.
Study explores link between earthquakes, rainfall and food insecurity in Nepal
| news.psu.edu
The effects of monsoon rainfall on food insecurity in Nepal vary by earthquake exposure, with regions that experienced both heavy earthquake shaking and abundant rainfall more likely to have an inadequate supply of nutritious food, according to a researcher in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.
Urban sustainability inspires students' contribution to Pittsburgh neighborhoods
| news.psu.edu
College of Agricultural Sciences student Capricia Williams said she learned something while enrolled in the City Semester Pittsburgh program that she could not find in a book, or a classroom, and it opened her eyes to the issues and realities caused by food apartheid.
Biology lecturer brings Penn State Schuylkill closer to arboretum certification
| news.psu.edu
Mary Ann Smith, lecturer of biology at Penn State Schuylkill, has received grant funds to support and grow native plant and pollinator populations on campus. The added biodiversity will help combat food insecurity and position Penn State Schuylkill to become a certified Level I arboretum, a project Smith hopes to see completed by the end of the year.
Learn about undergraduate research at this series of fall Zoom workshops
| news.psu.edu
Students who are interested in learning more about undergraduate research, including how to get started, can attend a series of online workshops during the fall 2021 semester.
New civil engineering faculty examines how technology impacts the way we travel
| news.psu.edu
Xianbiao "XB" Hu, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, recently joined Penn State to study how technology can improve the way we travel, especially behind the driver's seat.
Penn State's first Schlumberger fellow aims to 3D-print a sustainable future
| news.psu.edu
Eden Binega is Penn State's first Schlumberger Foundation fellow, which funds women from developing countries to pursue their doctorates or post-doctoral research in science, technology, engineering or math. Her studies are focused on 3D printing sustainable residential buildings, with the plan to eventually implement the work in her home country of Ethiopia.
Scientists explain Gulf Coast’s high hurricane risk and the role of climate change
| mississippifreepress.org
Four articles offer insight into why the New Orleans/Gulf Coast area is at high risk for intense hurricanes and the effect climate change is having on them.
Thole scholarship continues to support underrepresented groups in engineering
| psu.edu
With a new cohort of recipients, the Professor Karen A. Thole Annual Scholarship for Diversity in Engineering continues its track record of supporting underrepresented groups in engineering education and encouraging a more equitable workforce.