IEE faculty, staff, and projects in the news
Some corals may survive climate change without paying a metabolic price
| psu.edu
The prevailing belief among scientists has been that corals must suffer reduced growth or other tradeoffs when they partner with symbiotic algae that help them tolerate warmer water. Yet, new research led by Penn State demonstrates that certain corals can be resilient to climate change without paying a metabolic price, and these coral-symbiont partnerships may come to dominate reef ecosystems in a climate-changed future.
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A Penn State expert on learning to live with wildfires, as climate change heats up
| radio.wpsu.org
Wildfires in Canada are breaking records this year, and one effect has been days of haze and unhealthy air in Pennsylvania. WPSU spoke with Erica Smithwick, a fire ecology expert and distinguished professor of geography at Penn State, about the fires and what role climate change is playing.
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EnvironMentors recognized at competition while building STEM skills for future
| psu.edu
Five high school students in the Penn State chapter of the EnvironMentors received awards at the 2023 EnvironMentors National Science Fair and Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C.
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Kathy Shaffer
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J. Mitchell Spear
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Natasha Miles
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Jeremy Gernand
Associate Professor, John and Willie Leone Department of Energy & Mineral Engineering (EME) -
Gregory Jenkins
Symposium to feature student research on climate science and solutions
| psu.edu
Penn State’s Climate Science Research Experiences for Undergraduates program and the Drawdown Scholars program are hosting their final poster symposium from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 3, in the Steidle Building Atrium on the University Park campus, which is open to the public.
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Philly has had a rainy summer. So why is Pa. still under a drought watch?
| whyy.org
Drought declarations are not just based on rain. They also consider soil moisture, stream flow, and groundwater, which tends to lag behind rain. This article quotes Gregory Jenkins, professor of meteorology and atmospheric science.
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Landscape-U program connects grad students with Navajo Nation
| psu.edu
Over spring break 2023, Penn State graduate students traveled to Arizona to participate in a transformational research experience as part of the Landscape-U program. During the week students visited sites connected to food, energy and water topics, the focus of the trip. They also visited traditional working landscapes within Navajo Nation and learned firsthand about its rich culture and history.
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GENIUS workshop equips underrepresented students for geography graduate programs
| psu.edu
Penn State’s Department of Geography held a May workshop aimed at supporting third- and fourth-year students from underrepresented groups in their journeys toward applying for graduate programs in geography, coined the GENIUS workshop — Geography Education Networking Initiative for Underrepresented Scholars.
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Newly identified protein regulates the creation of cellulose in plant cells
| psu.edu
Cellulose — an integral component of plant cell walls — is an important source of food, paper, textiles and biofuels, but how its creation is regulated within plant cells has remained unclear. Now, a team led by researchers at Penn State has identified a protein that modifies the cellular machinery responsible for producing cellulose, which ultimately lends stability to that machinery.
Diversity, inclusivity are driving forces behind wind energy club’s success
| psu.edu
The Penn State Wind Energy Club was awarded second place at the Annual Collegiate Wind Competition, the eighth top-three showing in 10 years, a streak the team attributes to its diversity and inclusiveness.
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'Growing Impact' podcast examines effects of flooding on substance use, support
| psu.edu
The latest episode of the "Growing Impact" podcast explores the world of substance use and addiction through the lens of environmental disasters, specifically how flooding in rural areas can affect drug use and the support needed by those impacted by substance use disorder.
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Seed Grant Projects
Growing Impact: Flooding, addiction, and resilience
Substance use is similar to extreme weather due to climate change in multiple ways. Both have had impacts in rural towns and big cities. Both can affect any socio-economic class. Both are here to stay for the foreseeable future, and both can damage lives. Another connection is the influence of one on the other, specifically, how extreme weather, like flooding, can impact a community's ability to support those afflicted with substance use disorder.
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Seed Grant Projects
Canada wildfire pollution in Western Pa., explained: Why is round 2 so much worse?
| post-gazette.com
As the NWS says, “The solution to pollution is dilution.” This article quotes Miriam Freedman, professor of chemistry.
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