Penn State Eberly College of Science

Another natural phenomenon visited Happy Valley's skies last night. 🌙 These auroras were caused by severe geomagnetic storm as a result of an outburst from the sun. 📸: Ian Ashcroft #PennStateAstro

Please join us in congratulating Eric Nacsa, assistant professor of chemistry, for being honored with a 2024 Maximizing Investigators' Research Award grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)! His project is focused on developing faster and more effective methods to construct the complex molecular structures that form the basis of medicines, agrochemicals, and other valuable chemical products. Read more: https://bit.ly/4gulBfw #PennStateChemistry

As we wrap up Hispanic Heritage Month, we are showcasing three more undergrads who shared their pride in their culture and in pursuing science. "Hispanic Heritage Month to me is a celebration of who we are and where we come from but also a time to think about the future. My biggest hope is that in 10 years I can look back and marvel at how far we have come and all of our achievements to date." — Valeria Martinez "My time at Penn State these past few years has taught me that being a student from an underrepresented background means that I can bring new perspectives and ideas to the table. That is why I want to pursue a career in STEM, to help and give back to my community that has supported me all these years." — Juan-Rodrigo Solares "Hispanic Heritage Month means celebrating and honoring where I come from. It reminds me of the efforts my parents have made for me and my brother to have better opportunities. I’m grateful for the culture I was raised in and proud to have it be a part of who I am and share it with those around me." — Gaby Vasquez Read their full profiles at https://bit.ly/3TuWzCX #PennStateStats #PennStateBMB #PennStateForensics #HispanicHeritageMonth

We can't stop sharing exciting news about Melanie McReynolds' latest research, and neither can the news! 90.5 WESA shared WPSU's story about McReynolds and her research on Alzheimer’s and other diseases. Her and her team identified that in mice with Alzheimer’s, there is a blockage of glucose, our body's sugar, that the brain needs. “So with the brain not being able to have this fuel source, it really can't perform a lot of its mechanisms or its processes, which, of course, leads to cognitive decline and ultimately disease," she said. Check out the article at https://bit.ly/4gtC83g #PennStateBMB

Our Hispanic Heritage Month Keynote speaker, Hector Aguilar-Carreno, who is currently a professor of virology and associate vice provost for research and innovation at Cornell University, gave an inspiring presentation about his journey into science last week! Thank you to everyone who joined our college at this lecture; we hope you enjoyed hearing him speak.

The next step to your career starts with two of our college's networking events: the annual Networking Reception and inaugural Career Fair. 📋 Hundreds of students attended these events this fall to meet industry leaders, make connections, and explore internship, co-op, and employment opportunities. We are so proud of our student's hard work and dedication!

Our undergraduate researchers will be presenting at the Undergraduate Research Poster Exhibition on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 5 p.m. at the Verne M. Willaman Gateway to the Sciences. Check out their posters and meet representatives from DuPont and Merck who will be answering questions related to employment and internships. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3TXfabc

Science is for everyone, and everyone can do science.🔬 That’s what Alexandria Murphy, one of our graduate students in biochemistry and molecular biology, wants people to know. Through her research, she is focused on helping places, like where she grew up, be less affected by climate change. Learn more about Alexandria at https://bit.ly/3UgX5Fl #PennStateBMB #HispanicHeritageMonth

Stars, galaxies, and black holes, oh my! 🌟🌌 Joel Leja, Lee M. Hammarstrom-Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Endowed Early Career Professor of astronomy and astrophysics, brought his lecture, "Surprises at the Dawn of Time from James Webb: A First Look at the First Stars, Galaxies, and Black Holes" to the Village at Penn State. The Village residents enjoyed hearing Leja discuss the James Webb Space Telescope and the incredible discoveries made about the early universe. #PennStateAstro

Mark your calendars for the Russell E. Marker Lectures in Evolutionary Biology on Oct. 8 and 9! Joan Strassmann, Charles Rebstock Professor of Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, will present two free lectures in Foster Auditorium on Oct. 8 and 9 at 3 p.m. The first lecture is intended for a general audience, while the second one is more specialized. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3zqTgpA We hope to see you there! #PennStateBio