The John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering helps solve the world’s energy problems through high-quality, innovative teaching, research, and service. From mineral recovery to its use, the department plays a major role in the "power of life." Its mission is to help supply society with an affordable supply of energy and minerals; work to ensure human health and safety; and protect and maintain the quality of the environment.
Department head: Luis Ayala
Associate Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Chiara Lo Prete
Associate Head for Undergraduate Education: Eugene Morgan
Associate Head for Graduate Education: Shimin Liu
Degrees offered: B.S., B.A., M.S., Ph.D., minors, and certificates
Website: https://eme.psu.edu
Two EME graduate students are preparing to put their research communication skills to the test for monetary prizes of up to $1,000 in the final round of Penn State’s third annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition.
Fourth-year environmental systems engineering major Sofia Hoffman spent a month in Ecuador’s Amazon Basin researching contamination linked to off-the-grid oil extraction as part of Assistant Professor of Geography Belén Noroña’s research in the Yasuní National Park.
The inaugural Penn State-Ghana Research Partnerships Seed Grant Program has awarded nine projects including three researchers from EMS.
Gretchen Watkins, board director at The Mosaic Company and former president of Shell USA and executive vice president of Global Shales, will give the 2026 G. Albert Shoemaker Lecture in Energy and Mineral Engineering at Penn State
Qian Zhang, a doctoral student in EME, has been awarded the Nico van Wingen Memorial Graduate Fellowship in petroleum engineering by the Society of Petroleum Engineers Foundation.
Barbara Arnold, chair and professor of practice of mining engineering in the John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering, was elected to National Academy of Engineering.
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.
Patrick Sarpong and Shakshi Sekar, both doctoral students in energy and mineral engineering, have been named finalists for the 2025-26 J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition.
Fifteen faculty members have joined IEE. Together, they bring expertise that connects energy systems, environmental processes and human dimensions, opening new pathways for collaboration and shared research efforts.
An interest session on Feb. 4 will present details of the program for interested communities looking to learn more about partnering with LCAP.