Joshua A. Robinson, professor of materials science and engineering at Penn State, has been named director of the University’s Materials Research Institute (MRI), effective July 1. “Josh has a proven track record of identifying opportunities, building structure, connecting people and, ultimately, creating impact,” said Andrew Read, senior vice president for research at Penn State.

When Isabel Rivera arrived at Penn State, she did not expect undergraduate research to become such a defining part of her college experience. Now, as she prepares to graduate this month, the senior double majoring in geography in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and community, environment and development (CED) in the College of Agricultural Sciences said research helped give her both direction and a clearer sense of the kind of work she hopes to pursue next.

Penn State’s Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences has named Dipanjan Pan, Dorothy Foehr Huck & J. Lloyd Huck Chair Professor in Nanomedicine and professor of materials science and engineering and of nuclear engineering, to serve as the Huck’s first director for innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems.

Emily Shor, from Swarthmore, has been named the student marshal for the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences’ (EMS) spring 2026 commencement ceremony, which will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, in the Pegula Ice Arena at Penn State University Park.

Nitin Samarth, Verne M. Willaman Professor of Physics and professor of materials science and engineering, has been elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for distinguished contributions to the physical sciences. He is one of 252 leaders in academia, the arts, industry, journalism, philanthropy, policy, research and science elected in 2026.

Penn State Sustainability recently published a guidebook to support Penn State faculty in implementing sustainability into their curricula. The guidebook was created by Sustain Penn State, located within the Office of Undergraduate Education and one of the offices that makes up Penn State Sustainability.

Metin Çakır, the Austin A. Dowell Professor of Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota, will give the talk, “California Drought, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Prices, and Consumer Welfare,” at noon on Wednesday, April 29, in 157 Hosler Building at Penn State University Park. The event is part of a spring seminar series hosted by the Initiative for Energy and Environmental Economics and Policy (EEEPI). Talk is free and open to the public.

Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) recognized exceptional students and faculty for their academic excellence, service and leadership during its annual Wilson Awards Celebration, held on March 29. The Wilson Awards are named in honor of Matthew and Anne Wilson, major benefactors of the college.

Sophia White, a sophomore majoring in geosciences, said she was drawn to Penn State because of her interest in the world around her, especially how the field of geosciences could better help scientists understand the interplay between land, water and life.

Registration is now open for the John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering’s annual "MINING ROCKS!" summer camp. The camp will be held on Penn State's University Park Campus on July 12–17. Coordinated by the Mining Engineering program, the five-day camp is designed for 20 high school students between the 10th and 12th grades to provide firsthand lab experience with mining technology and even includes a visit to a local mining company and quarry.