Professor’s 'Anthropology of Alcohol' course a perennial favorite with students
| psu.edu
Kirk French, assistant professor of anthropology and film production/media studies, is wrapping up another fall teaching "ANTH 140: Anthropology of Alcohol," which for nearly a decade has been one of Penn State’s most popular general-education courses.
American Nuclear Society names Penn State professor to 40 under 40 list
| psu.edu
Penn State Professor of Nuclear Engineering Stefano Terlizzi was named to the 2025 American Nuclear Society's 40 Under 40 list, recognizing rising leaders shaping the future of nuclear science and technology.
Transparent ceramic could boost internet speeds and cut energy use
| psu.edu
A new class of ceramics are not only transparent, but they can control light with exceptional efficiency — better than any theories predicted. Now, an advanced theory put forth by researcher at Penn State may explain why this material is so good at light control, which could lead to large-scale manufacturing of these materials for faster, smaller and more energy efficient technologies used in high-speed communications, medical imaging and advanced sensing.
Backyard insect inspires large-scale invisibility particles production
| psu.edu
A team at Penn State has now developed a high-speed platform capable of producing synthetic versions of brochosomes at a rate exceeding 100,000 per second, a technological achievement that could lead to next-generation camouflage, sensors and other advancements for humans.
Penn State chemist named 2026 Optica Fellow
| psu.edu
Ken Knappenberger, department head and professor of chemistry in the Penn State Eberly College of Science, was selected as a 2026 Optica Fellow. Fellows are selected based on factors including outstanding contributions to research, business, education, engineering and service to Optica and the community.
Even with Trump’s support, coal power remains expensive – and dangerous
| by Hannah Wiseman, Seth Blumsack
As projections of U.S. electricity demand rise sharply, President Donald Trump is looking to coal – historically a dominant force in the U.S. energy economy – as a key part of the solution.
Penn State College of Ag Sciences to offer food science short courses
| psu.edu
In 2026, food inspectors and sanitarians, quality assurance managers, food plant managers and food engineers can learn the latest developments in food science with short courses offered by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.
Penn State students bridge food security, education inspired by World Food Prize
| psu.edu
Five students in Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences traveled to Des Moines, Iowa, for a week-long immersion in global food security at the World Food Prize event.
Warblers borrow color-related genes from evolutionary neighbors, study finds
| psu.edu
A new study has uncovered several instances of wood warblers — some of the most colorful birds in North America — passing color-related genes to other wood warbler species, including those that are not closely related. This glimpse into the hidden evolutionary dynamics of these songbirds may help explain why some species display certain colors as well as how the group diversified into so many different species in such a relatively short evolutionary time, the researchers said.
Penn State student documentary 'Rethinking 322' explores ways to minimize construction impacts
| alleghenyfront.org
The State College Area Connector will replace a section of Route 322 near State College and impact farmland, waterways and homes.
Fusion energy research fellowship supports nuclear engineering grad student
| psu.edu
Camila Lopez Perez, a doctoral student in nuclear engineering, received the Dr. Robert A. Ellis Fellowship to support her research on improving materials for fusion energy reactors. Her work focuses on advancing lithium coating techniques and testing new plasma-facing materials to help make fusion energy more efficient and sustainable.
Penn State and Leibniz University of Hannover celebrate a year of collaboration
| psu.edu
Penn State and Leibniz University of Hannover, Germany, recently wrapped up an active year of partnership collaborations — one “defined by vibrant student exchanges, faculty initiatives, and staff engagement across multiple disciplines,” said Alexandra Persiko, director for global partnerships in Penn State Global.