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.
Carleen Maitland named interim associate dean for research in the College of IST
| psu.edu
Carleen Maitland, professor in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology, has been named interim associate dean for research, effective Aug. 1.
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.
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.
Faculty success and equity workshop registration now open
| psu.edu
Registration is now open for the “Initiative for Faculty Success and Equity Workshop” on Aug. 17 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center.
Growing cover crops under vineyard vines is a sustainability strategy
| psu.edu
The perfect pairing for certain fine vines may be grasses. A new study by Penn State researchers shows that in regions with fertile soils that receive plenty of rainfall, growing cover crops under the vines so that the vineyard floor is completely covered with vegetation is a sustainability strategy.
Crop exhibits, renewable energy, hay contest featured at Ag Progress Days
| psu.edu
Crop management, wildlife and conservation education, as well as the signature hay show, will be offered in and around the J.D. Harrington Crops, Soils and Conservation Building during Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, Aug. 8-10.
'Green chemistry' courses at Shenango discussed at global conference
| psu.edu
Associate Teaching Professor of Chemistry Kathy Shaffer presented virtually at the "Integrating Green Chemistry into Higher Education Day" event about the integration of "green chemistry" courses into Penn State Shenango's chemistry curriculum.
Search launched for new dean of the Penn State College of Engineering
| psu.edu
Penn State has launched a national search for the next Harold and Inge Marcus Dean of the College of Engineering. Tracy Langkilde, dean of the Eberly College of Science, will chair the search committee.
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.
Tandem Repeat is revolutionizing sustainable fashion with AI-designed squid proteins to reduce plastic harm
| forbes.com
Squitex technology is poised to transform the fashion industry with a sustainable, non-polluting replacement for petroleum and animal-based fibers. This article quotes Melik Demirel, Huck Chair in Biomimetic Materials and Pearce Professor of Engineering.
MatSE establishes 115th Anniversary Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Fund
| psu.edu
To help support its commitment to creating an environment that promotes diversity in the field so that the next generation of experts tasked with creating and improving materials incorporates all perspectives, the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MatSE) at Penn State established the 115th Anniversary Materials Science and Engineering Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Fund.
Smallholder farmers, despite facing enormous challenges, produce a significant portion of the world's food, especially in regions like Africa and Asia. PlantVillage, a project aimed at empowering these farmers through smartphone technology and machine learning, has grown into a global initiative with ambitious plans to expand its impact and address the growing threat of climate change. Listen to the podcast.
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