Science Journal Winter 2018

Lab Bench to Bedside

The science of human health.

instrument in Davey Lab

About this Photo A Message from the Dean A Note from Our Guest Editor
TWO METHODS OF GENOME EDITING USING THE CRISPR-CAS9 SYSTEM
The Science Underneath

Basic research underlying the quest to cure genetic disease

Harnessing CRISPR-Cas9
Sequence to Solution title page

Synthesizing genetic data to facilitate drug discovery

IDEAS method
Sequence to Solution
Physicians from three different eras in three different settings trace their roots back to Penn State.

Different Journeys in Lives Dedicated to Medicine

Three notable physicians from different eras stand out as examples of academic and medical excellence, and all got their start at Penn State.

Physician Alumni Maker of M.D.’s: Robert Mitchell
Plant biologist Sally Mackenzie

Adaptation-triggering technique could radically alter agriculture

Sally Mackenzie
Mathematician Carina Curto

In the ‘America of science,’ diversity yields inspiring opportunities for mathematicians

Carina Curto
Physicist David Weiss

Ultra-cold atoms chilled and trapped with light enable unimaginable discoveries

David Weiss
Mathematician Kirsten Eisenträger

Trying to create unbreakable encryption using ancient equations

Kirsten Eisenträger
Two-Dimensional Crystal Consortium

New $18M facility catalyzes synthesis and novel study of 2D materials

equipment in the Davey Lab 2DCC
Research briefs

Research Now

A colorized electron micrograph of a malaria-causing Plasmodium parasite (right) attaching to and invading a human red blood cell. The inset shows the attachment point at higher magnification. Credit: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH
Startup Week
‘Impacting the World’ at Startup Week
Startup Week
Haunted U students pull slime out of cups with spoons
Haunted-U
Haunting the community through science
Arisian Lens

The Arisian Lens: A novel solution for low-cost lightweight microscopy

Intellectual Property: Research leading to practical benefits for society

ESTABLISHING THE RESOLUTION OF THE ARISIAN LENS To determine the resolution limit of the Arisian Lens, the Mahadevan team used a standard created by the United States Air Force. Resolution is determined by the largest set of three bars that a system cannot distinguish. The Arisian Lens was able to distinguish even the smallest group of bars, suggesting that it has a resolution limit at, or below, 0.78μm. Credit: Arpita Roy, Mahadevan Lab
Analyzing crime scenes

Forensic scientists have a blast in Happy Valley

Training North African crime lab personnel in leading-edge crime scene investigation techniques.

Trainees analyze evidence, including bullet holes and trajectories, at a mock crime scene. Credit: Penn State
Habitable Zone Planet Finder and NEID

The hunt for more planets to call home

Two new space-exploration instruments will hunt for nearby planets in regions around their star where liquid water may exist.

Habitable Planet Zone Finder lens
Millennium Science Building for the Millennium Society page.
Faculty and Alumni Spotlight

Millennium Scholars: STEM firmly rooted

First Cohort of Millennium Scholars Graduates
Millennium Scholars commencement photo.

Getting firsthand global health experience in Tanzania

Study Abroad in Tanzania
Students pose for a photo while participating in a Penn State Global Health program in Tanzania

Science discovery in the public square

Science Senior Turns Toward Advocacy
Samantha Geisinger

First year, first applicant: Early admission success

Premedical Early Admission Program
Richard Ni and Ron Markle stand outside

Spring 2017 Student Marshal

Sylvia Biscoveanu
Sylvia Biscoveanu

Summer 2017 Student Marshal

Labeed Almani
Labeed Almani
Building an affordable diagnostic device

A $40 solution to empower East African energy research

Chris Li assembling a potentiostat.
Chemistry graduate student Julie Fenton

Graduate student selected to meet with Nobel Laureates

Julie Fenton
Person to Person: Matt Keefe

A laboratory for success: An undergrad reflects on research outside the classroom

Matt Keefe
student speaks with alumni mentor

Alumni Neww

Problem solving skills learned in the lab extend to the board room Alumni Mentor Program takes off Generous alumni benefactors support mathematics at Penn State Unique opportunities for donors to make a difference