Tyler S. Love (left), assistant professor of elementary/middle grades STEM education and director of the Capital Area Institute for Mathematics and Science (CAIMS), and Reuben Selase Asempapa (right), assistant professor of mathematics education, were recently awarded for their research on mathematical modeling.
Fariborz Tavangarian’s research focuses on investigating the microstructure, micromechanical properties, and crack development patterns and mechanisms found in certain marine sponges. Although their structural components — known as marine spicules (pictured above) — are made of a brittle ceramic (silica), they show unusual toughness and flexibility due to unique factors within the structure.
Fariborz Tavangarian, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, and Olivia Lowe, mechanical engineering student, examine a Euplectella Aspergillum marine sponge to select the proper strand (spicule) to be evaluated by scanning electron microscope. Tavangarian is researching the potential for the spicules to be used in human bone tissue engineering and other applications.
Students Lilly Buzard, left, and Felicity Kibaya, right, discuss their research project with President-elect Neeli Bendapudi, center, and Penn State Vice President for Government and Community Relations Zach Moore during Penn State Beaver's Undergraduate Exhibition on April 21.
