The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) most prestigious award for early-career faculty, providing valuable financial support for a specific research project and recognizing that faculty’s potential as a leader in scientific research and a role model in education. Fariborz Tavangarian, associate professor of mechanical engineering at Penn State Harrisburg, is one such example, having landed a CAREER award this year.
Penn State Harrisburg will hold a new student convocation on Sunday, Aug. 21 in the Capital Union Building (CUB) gym. Convocation is the first event of the new academic year and serves as the ceremonial start for all incoming first-year students, marking their formal entry into the life and traditions of Penn State University.
Nik Tsotakos, assistant professor of biology in the Penn State Harrisburg School of Science, Engineering, and Technology, has received a Research Innovations with Scientists and Engineers (RISE) seed grant to pursue research into the benefits of vitamin D as a protective agent against diabetic kidney disease.
Penn State University Libraries recognized seven outstanding faculty and staff on Tuesday, May 24, from among its more than 500 employees. Faculty and staff based at the Penn State Berks, Harrisburg, Mont Alto and University Park campuses were recognized.
Penn State Harrisburg will offer a new doctoral program in engineering systems beginning in fall 2022. The program aims to prepare students to pursue careers in research and development, industry, government, and academia by providing them with interdisciplinary engineering education, critical thinking skills, and research experience.
A Penn State team led by Hessam Taherian, assistant teaching professor in Penn State Harrisburg’s School of Science, Engineering, and Technology was one of 14 collegiate institution teams from across the globe awarded $50,000 in prize funding to build and exhibit a groundbreaking, zero-energy building next spring. The team will compete for contest and grand prizes in April 2023.
Fariborz Tavangarian, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Penn State Harrisburg, has been awarded a $616,000 National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development award for his project “Achieving Resilience in Brittle Materials Through Bio-inspired Nested Cylindrical Structures,” which focuses on the possible use of marine sponges to design bone implants and other applications.
Nikhil Menon, assistant professor of civil engineering at Penn State Harrisburg, has been appointed to two Transportation Research Board standing committees: the Standing Committee on Effects of Information and Communication Technologies on Travel Choices, and the Standing Committee on Women and Gender in Transportation.
Penn State Harrisburg recently recognized outstanding employee contributions at the 2022 Faculty and Staff Recognition Program. Nominated by the college community and selected by various award committees, several faculty and staff members received awards.
Penn State Harrisburg has selected six graduates to serve as student marshals at the spring 2022 commencement ceremony on May 7. The graduates will bear the banners representing each academic school and, together with the faculty marshals, lead the graduating students during the ceremony processional.
