The Penn State's Institute of Energy and the Environment (IEE) has welcomed four new faculty members whose research expands the breadth of expertise within its interdisciplinary community.
During her final semester at Penn State, Marsella Degnan gained hands-on research experience through the Department of Geography by helping track how opioid settlement funds are being used across Pennsylvania.
Three geographers whose research examines climate justice, energy systems and changing relationships between people and the environment will take part in a public keynote discussion panel from 3:45 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 2, at the Overlook Pavilion at the Arboretum at Penn State.
Luyi Han, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology and Education at Penn State, will give the talk “Local food prices, SNAP purchasing power, and food insecurity,” at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 14, in 157 Hosler Building on Penn State’s University Park campus.
Renee Obringer, assistant professor of energy and mineral engineering at Penn State, will give the talk “Understanding climate change impacts on renewable energy: Insights from explainable AI” at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, in 117 Earth and Engineering Sciences Building on the University Park campus. The talk will also be available via Zoom.
As new regulations and changes in global energy markets affect electricity costs, Penn State alumna Madalyn Guzman Loffredo is there to help. She helps Pennsylvania schools, hospitals and other large organizations make smarter energy decisions that can protect their budgets and help strengthen local communities.
Shannon Speed, Paula Gunn Allen Chair and professor of American Indian studies, gender studies and anthropology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), will deliver the Penn State Department of Geography’s annual E. Willard and Ruby S. Miller Endowed Lecture at noon on Friday, Oct. 23, in the Foster Auditorium at Penn State University Park and via Zoom.
Lauren Zarzar, professor of chemistry and materials science and engineering, has been named a recipient of the 2026 Schmidt Science Polymath Award. This award supports mid-career researchers who are expanding into new research domains, experimenting with new methodologies, and inspiring scientific breakthroughs.
John Barlett grew up in a Penn State family. Now, the College of Education alumnus is watching that legacy continue with his own children. “I never considered going to school anywhere but Penn State,” Barlett said. “I knew from growing up around here how special the University is, both as an institute of higher learning and as an atmosphere.”
Zhifeng Gao, professor in the Food and Resource Economics Department at the University of Florida, will give the talk “How availability and accessibility shape online grocery choices: evidence from hypothetical and real choice experiments,” at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 30, in 157 Hosler Building on Penn State’s University Park campus.
