2023 Annual Report
The Eberly College of Science pushes the frontiers of science through its cutting-edge experimental and theoretical research, exceptional scientists, and world-class facilities. Ongoing research includes a unique mix of fundamental science—much of which may become the cornerstone for future scientific breakthroughs—and translational science that has a real-time impact on society today. Researchers in the college also work with companies and private foundations to realize the potential of their discoveries.
One of the greatest strengths of the college is the collaborative, cross-disciplinary research, which is facilitated by 14 centers and institutes that attract top students, foster robust fundamental and applied research, and make an impact through collaborative research and teaching.
Research expenditures totaling $128,534,000 in the college during fiscal year 2022–2023, up 17 percent over last year.
More than $1.1 billion in research expenditures in the college in the last decade.
External research awards granted to 511 researchers in the college, totaling $75.6 million during fiscal year 2022–2023.
We spoke with members of the college community about how the Technology Advisory Boards helped guide their research at any stage of development.
In the past year, nine Eberly college researchers from four departments authored articles for The Conversation, a nonprofit news outlet that makes scientist-authored articles freely avabile to other news outlets.
at the University Park campus have taken at least one science class.
at the University Park campus require Eberly College of Science classes for all their degree programs.
are among the top ten across Penn State for the highest number of student enrollments—the most of any college.
As the STEM backbone of Penn State, the Eberly College of Science has the responsibility and privilege of educating and inspiring students and research trainees in Eberly as well as in majors across the entire University. The reach is broad: Eberly college faculty teach the second-highest number of student credit hours across the University, and majors in every college at Penn State University Park have a science course requirement.
RiSE UP (Representation in Science at Eberly for Undergraduate Prehealth Students) supports about a dozen incoming first-year students who have interest in health professions, through six weeks of summer programming in collaboration with the Penn State College of Medicine and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Eberly College of Science alumna Katie McPeak, a primary-care pediatrician and medical director for health equity of the CHOP Primary Care Network, has been an integral partner who sources mentors to work with each of the RiSE UP students throughout the summer program and organizes laboratory tours and real-world experiences during a day trip to the hospital.
In spring 2023, the Remote Area Medical group—a student organization led, in part, by Eberly College of Science students David Starnes and Hannah Klatte—held a free clinic with more than 200 volunteers that provided over $76,000 in free medical, dental, and vision care to more than 100 patients. Many of these student volunteers are part of our premedical programs.
8,000 to 10,000 undergraduate students are impacted by the Learning Assistant Program each year.
Two hundred six Eberly College of Science students studied abroad in 2022–23, the most ever in an academic year.
Hear from our students, in their own voices, about the experiences shaping their college careers.
In the last year, outreach programs sponsored by the college’s Office of Science Outreach directly impacted more than 1,600 K–12 students and 250 undergraduate and graduate students and partnered with more than 30 internal and external partners. These programs included several hundred Penn State students, staff, and faculty from around the University.
The college and its Office of Science Outreach began a new partnership with the Milton Hershey School, a private K–12 boarding school in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Qualifying students live on campus for a cost-free educational experience, and 61.2 percent of enrolled students identify as a minority that has been historically underrepresented in STEM fields. Students attended workshops on the Milton Hershey School’s campus and visited Penn State University Park. The college will continue developing this partnership, with the goal of supporting a diverse future STEM workforce and encouraging students to attend Penn State.
The college entered a new partnership with the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for its 2023 Space Day event, which focused on educational content around space exploration and entrepreneurship. The college’s outreach and communications offices worked with the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics to integrate graduate and undergraduate student volunteers into programming that provided hands-on activities and demos, displayed rocket parts and satellite models, and provided talks on trending space topics. The popular event attracted more than 300 visitors from central Pennsylvania.
ENVISION
More than 85 middle and high school students attended ENVISION: STEM Career Day Supporting Young Women. Students participated in hands-on workshops led by over 50 college faculty members, graduate students, and outside partners—learning what women in STEM do, what they can accomplish, and how STEM is relevant to their own journey.
Rockets for Inclusive Science Education
School-aged students in the RISE program work with members of the McEntaffer lab to build and launch model rockets.
Science-U at Home
“Science-U at Home,” a regional Emmy–winning short documentary intended to inspire children and their caregivers to engage in science activities at home, features original animation and live-action sequences involving campers, instructors, and student mentors.
AstroFest
AstroFest welcomed visitors to Davey Lab during the 2023 Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. Attendees of all ages had the opportunity to participate in an egg-drop challenge, launch bottle rockets, try the video game used in the popular ASTRO 7N: Artistic Universe class, use the rooftop observatory telescopes, and attend a talk about astronomical art.
Ashtekar Frontiers of Science
The Ashtekar Frontiers of Science Lectures—a free public outreach series sponsored by the Eberly College of Science—returned to an in- person format for 2023 and was accompanied by a virtual format to support out-of-town attendees. The Winter 2024 lectures celebrated the 30th anniversary of the series by revisiting past topics.
"Your generous gift has allowed me to have a balanced college experience by focusing on my studies, joining and participating in clubs and other extracurricular activities, attending conferences and seminars, and developing new relationships. It has allowed me to develop as a well-rounded and better student and supports my dream of making a difference in society as a medical doctor and biomedical researcher."
Adegboyo, class of 2026, is a recipient of the Aldine Lucille Cech Honors Scholarship.
"I am a first-generation college student and aspire to be the first member of my family to earn a Ph.D. Your gift helped cover expenses from my move to Penn State and helps provide a supportive home to go to at the end of the day. I hope my research on green-energy catalysis will help make the world a better place in terms of energy consumption and waste."
Hart is a recipient of the Nellie H. and Oscar L. Roberts Scholarship
See how you can make a difference by contacting the Office of Development and Alumni Relations. Call (814) 865-5798 or email science.alumni@psu.edu today.
The state of Pennsylvania ranks 49th out of all 50 states for its support of higher-education funding. Additionally, students in the Eberly College of Science have higher-than-average need compared to other students at the University Park campus, and the average dollar amount of University-level scholarships granted to Eberly students is less than the average for students at University Park. With your help, the college awarded $5.951 million in merit- and need-based scholarships to 1,578 students in the 2022–23 academic year. By offering your support, you can make a considerable impact on Eberly College of Science students, make recruitment more competitive, and continue to elevate our college among the top academic and research institutions in Pennsylvania, nationally, and globally.
Alumnus’s gift honors life-changing generosity
Alumnus Joseph Moffitt has given $1.5 million to Penn State to support premedicine and education students.
Q&A with Distinguished Alumnus Mark Becker
Dean Langkilde sat down with alumnus Mark Becker, president of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) and former president of Georgia State University.
Outstanding Science Alumni
The college recognized three alumni who have a record of significant professional achievements in their field and who are outstanding role models for students in the college.
Honoring family and recognizing the importance of plant biology
College alumnus Harold Kohn and his wife, Carol Kohn, have honored the legacy of their grandparents Louis and Hedwig Sternberg in several ways.
Science Journal 2023 Annual Report PDF
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