The Institute of Energy and the Environment (IEE) has recognized eight Penn State researchers for outstanding contributions to energy and environmental research, scholarship and mentorship. Selected through nominations from across the Penn State community, the awardees are honored for their collaborative, interdisciplinary work and their commitment to mentoring students and colleagues.
U.S. Geological Survey grant to fund ag study of PFAS in small watersheds
| psu.edu
Researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have received a grant of nearly $309,000 from the U.S. Geological Survey, part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, to study the movement and impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in small agricultural watersheds across the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Why a key India–Pakistan water treaty is under strain — and why it matters globally
| by Tejal Shirsat, Kausik Ghosh, Christopher Scott
The Indus Water Treaty governs a river system that supports nearly 300 million people, but climate change, rising demand, and political tensions are putting the agreement under pressure.
Abandoned Pennsylvania mines and waste-heat recycling could make the state’s massive new data centers far more sustainable
| by Wangda Zuo
As more data centers are proposed across the state, residents and policymakers are asking important questions: How much energy and water will these data centers use? And what can be done to manage their environmental footprint?
Institute of Energy and the Environment welcomes 15 new faculty members
Fifteen faculty members have joined the Institute of Energy and the Environment (IEE), reflecting the institute’s growing interdisciplinary reach. Together, they bring expertise that connects energy systems, environmental processes and human dimensions, opening new pathways for collaboration and shared research efforts.
Bruce Logan, director of the Institute of Energy and the Environment, said the group reflects the range of career stages represented across IEE’s research network.
Governor recognizes Penn State program for 30 years of geospatial data service
The Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access (PASDA) program, established by Penn State in 1995, is celebrating 30 years of helping the commonwealth use data to make better decisions, from protecting the environment to planning for emergencies.
The mystery of the missing ocean plastic
| by Raymond Najjar
Millions of tons of plastic enter the ocean every year, yet we can find only a fraction of it. New research uncovers where this missing pollution may actually be hiding.
Water, AI researcher honored with IEE 'Person of the Year' award
Chaopeng Shen, a leading innovator in blending artificial intelligence (AI) with water and Earth systems research, has been named the Institute of Energy and the Environment Person of the Year for 2025.
IEE seeks innovative research proposals for 2026 Seed Grant Program
Proposals are now being accepted for Penn State's Institute of Energy and the Environment’s (IEE) 2026 Seed Grant Program.
Five faculty members join the Institute of Energy and the Environment
The Institute of Energy and the Environment (IEE) has welcomed five new faculty members to its community. Their expertise spans artificial intelligence, water treatment, marine ecosystems, sustainable buildings and solar cell efficiency, strengthening IEE’s interdisciplinary approach to addressing complex challenges.
Heatwaves in US rivers increasing up to four times faster than air heatwaves
As the frequency and intensity of heatwaves increase across the U.S., a similar but more striking phenomenon is occurring in American rivers. Analysis of data from nearly 1,500 sites in the contiguous United States between 1980 and 2022 revealed that heatwaves in rivers are accelerating faster than and lasting nearly twice as long air heatwaves, according to a new study by researchers at Penn State.
Tidal marshes trap microplastics, raising risks for ecosystems and people
Freshwater tidal marshes, critical for wildlife and coastal protection, are now serving as microplastic catch basins, according to a team of researchers at Penn State. They recently found that these marshes trap large amounts of diverse plastics, with concentrations and ecological risks increasing downstream.