Institute of Energy and the Environment

Career Opportunity: Assistant/Associate Professor of Toxicology (Tenure-track) The Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences in the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences is seeking applications for a tenure-track, faculty position at the Assistant/Associate Professor rank in Toxicology/Pharmacology. The position specifically focuses on environmental chemical contaminants of emerging importance (e.g. microplastics, PFAS) and the exposome. Expertise in microbiome, toxicology, and metabolism/metabolomics, with research interests encompassing the study of toxicology, the microbiome, inflammation, cancer biology and/or the impact of environmental chemicals on disease. The faculty member will be expected to develop a strong, high profile independent research program supported by extramural funding to generate novel discoveries. The successful candidate will assume a key role in interdisciplinary research collaborations, and is co-funded through the Penn State Institute of Energy and the Environment. The successful candidate should be a collaborative leader who will promote and enhance excellence and innovation in interdisciplinary research. Find out more and apply: https://buff.ly/Y8LaHNB

On this month's episode of Growing Impact, we explore the potential?of PFAS to disrupt the delicate balance of the human gut microbiome. Listen in as we discuss this research with Andrew Patterson and Costas Maranas. https://lnkd.in/esJhrS43 Penn State Research Penn State Eberly College of Science Penn State College of Engineering

On Saturday, March 1, guests from the town of Inukjuak, Quebec, attended the U.S. premiere of “A Century After Nanook.” Funded by a 2020 IEE seed grant, “A Century After Nanook” is an ambitious documentary focused on the drastic environmental and cultural changes that have occurred over the last 100 years in the Inuit village of Inukjuak, the location where Robert Flaherty filmed Nanook of the North from 1920-1921. From the recording of interviews to filming daily life, much of this documentary was produced by members of the community—making it truly a collaborative project. This 90-minute film dives deep into the many traumas experienced by Inukjuakmiut due to colonialism, as well as the devastating effects of Arctic warming. But the film also highlights the strength, adaptiveness, and ingenuity of the community that provides real hope for a better future. The film was co-produced by Penn State University’s Kirk French, Neal Hutcheson (three-time Emmy winner) from North Carolina, and Sarah Samisack from Inukjuak. French is also the director of the CORVA Studio Lab - Penn State where community involvement is an essential ingredient to his holistic approach to filmmaking. Recently accepted by PBS, A Century After Nanook will broadcast across the country later this year. Read more about the documentary: https://lnkd.in/ef8nUafJ Penn State College of the Liberal Arts Penn State Research Penn State University

On Friday, the Penn State Climate Consortium hosted a panel discussion with Inuit leaders from Inukjuak, Canada to discuss the changing Arctic. More info on their visit and the related film, "A Century after Nanook": https://lnkd.in/e9pd8MXX

In February 2021, a cold snap hit the Southwest U.S., causing Texas to experience a deep freeze. More than 4.5 million homes and businesses lost power, due to frozen equipment and a dramatic surge in energy demand for heating. How can this be avoided in the future? To prevent future crises, it’s essential to examine how electricity markets influence grid reliability. What market designs can best ensure resilience against extreme weather? Researchers Chiara Lo Prete and Jiaxing Wu compared three market structures to assess this. They recently talked to us about their work. Q: How do market structures compare in your laboratory experiments? A: The experiments compared three market structures—energy-only, scarcity pricing, and capacity markets—to assess their ability to attract investment and meet electricity demand. Subjects made capacity investment decisions at the start of each experimental day and competed to meet electricity demand across three periods with varying demand levels (low, medium, and high). ?? Read the full Q&A: https://lnkd.in/eQyuSXej Penn State Research Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School at Penn State

While studying as an undergraduate engineering student, Divya Tyagi simplified a century-old aerodynamic equation, making it more practical for wind turbine design. Her work expands on Hermann Glauert’s research, providing insights into rotor forces and blade bending—critical for optimizing turbine efficiency. Tyagi said she sees her work as a step toward improving wind energy production and reducing costs. She completed this work as a Penn State University undergraduate for her Schreyer Honors College at Penn State thesis. Her research was recently published in the journal Wind Energy Science. “When I thought about the Glauert problem, I thought steps were missing and it was very complicated,” said Sven Schmitz, Tyagi's adviser and an IEE and Penn State College of Engineering faculty member. “There had to be an easier way to do it. That’s when Divya came in. She was the fourth student I challenged with looking at it, and she was the only one who took it on. Her work is truly impressive.” Tyagi is currently a J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School at Penn State graduate student, pursuing her master’s degree in aerospace engineering. Read the full story ?? https://lnkd.in/eGVrtZ8Q Penn State Research #PennStateResearch #WindEnergy #WindTurbine #Engineering

Career Opportunity: Assistant or Associate Professor in Energy Transition The John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering (EME) in the Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences is expanding its strategic focus in the dynamic and evolving field of the global energy transition. EME invites applications for tenure-line faculty positions at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank to help shape the future of this field and contribute to our mission of leading the energy transition and ensuring a sustainable energy future. This position may also include a co-funded appointment with Penn State’s Institute of Energy and the Environment, offering access to world-class resources and networks. Find out more and apply: https://lnkd.in/ey6MhKVD

As PFAS chemicals accumulate in the environment, scientists are investigating their potential to disrupt the delicate balance of the human gut microbiome and its effects on well-being. On the upcoming March episode of the Growing Impact podcast, we talk to researchers Andrew Patterson and Costas Maranas about this work. Learn more at iee.psu.edu/podcast. Penn State Research Penn State Eberly College of Science Penn State College of Engineering

In its second year, the Climate Solutions Accelerator has awarded five workshops for 2025: https://lnkd.in/efteWUaK #PennStateClimate Erica Smithwick Jacqueline O'Connor Janet Swim Peter Buck Brandi Robinson Chingwen Cheng鄭景雯, PhD, PLA, LEED AP, ASLA, IFLA Shirley Clark Greg Jenkins Mariantonieta Gutierrez Soto, Ph.D. Kristina Brant Ida Nadia DJENONTIN, PhD María Belén Noro?a Juan Pablo Gevaudan, Ph.D. Sarma Pisupati Anne Menefee

Where do microplastics come from? "One source of microplastics is the disintegration of larger plastic debris into smaller pieces, sometimes into particles that are too small to see. Sources can vary widely, but?major contributors?include synthetic clothing, car tires, city dust, road markings, and marine coatings," says Hlengilizwe Nyoni, an assistant research professor who oversees and is the lead researcher in the Environmental Contaminants Analytical Laboratory. "Another source of microplastics comes from manufactured microbeads. Microbeads are commonly used in personal care products due to their abrasive and exfoliating properties." In a recent Q&A, Nyoni spoke with us about the health risks of #microplastics and how to protect yourself from them. https://lnkd.in/eHuYAeFd Penn State Research Penn State University