PENN STATE WATER INITIATIVE:�FALL 2022 EVENT

25 OCTOBER 2022

An Event of the Penn State Water Initiative

Hosted by the Penn State Water Council

PENN STATE WATER INITIATIVE:�FALL 2022 EVENT AGENDA��TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 3:00-6:00PM

SESSION 1 (HYBRID VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON):

3:00-3:20 NETWORKING

3:20-3:25 WELCOME AND AGENDA

3:25-3:45 WATER INITIATIVE UPDATES

3:45-4:25 LIGHTNING TALKS

4:25-4:30 REMINDERS & SESSION 1 CLOSE

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SESSION 2 (IN-PERSON):

4:30~4:45 TOUR ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY LABS

4:30-6:00 FOOD, NETWORKING, AND POSTER SESSION

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PENN STATE WATER COUNCIL

Antonia Hadjimichael

Geosciences,

Earth & Mineral Sciences

Andrew Warner

Water Initiative Director

Meng Wang

John and Willie Leone Department of Energy & Mineral Engineering

Susan Boser

Extension – Water Resources

Erin Trouba, Student Member

MS candidate, Rural Sociology

Praharsh Patel, Student Member

PhD candidate,

Energy, Environmental, and Food Economics

Hong Wu, co-chair

Landscape Architecture

Arts & Architecture

Shirley Clark, co-chair

Environmental Engineering; Science,

Engineering, and Technology

Tyler Groh

Ecosystem Science and Management

Laura Guertin

Earth Sciences,

Brandywine

PENN STATE WATER�FOUR THEMATIC AREAS OF RESEARCH EMPHASIS

1. PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT – ADVANCING UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN AND ECOLOGICAL HEALTH AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES, SUPPORTING VIBRANT AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIES, AND DEVELOPING SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS BOTH ENDURING WATER QUALITY PROBLEMS AND CONTAMINANTS OF EMERGING CONCERN.
2. ADVANCING RESILIENT COMMUNITIES ON A DYNAMIC EARTH – STRENGTHENING UNDERSTANDING OF FUNDAMENTAL EARTH PROCESSES ACROSS SCALES, ADDRESSING FLOOD AND DROUGHT CHALLENGES, AND DEVELOPING AND DEMONSTRATING INNOVATIONS THAT ENHANCE RESILIENCE TO EXTREME EVENTS THROUGH ACTIONABLE CLIMATE SOLUTIONS.
3. DRIVING INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY – DEVELOPING AND DEPLOYING NEXT-GEN TOOLS, TECHNIQUES, AND WATER-RELATED MATERIALS AND ACTIVELY USING THE UNIVERSITY AS A LIVING LAB IN THE SERVICE OF MEETING THE WORLD’S MOST PRESSING WATER CHALLENGES.
4. GUIDING SOCIAL ACTION, POLICY AND CORPORATE TRANSFORMATION – STRENGTHENING PUBLIC GOVERNANCE, WATER ETHICS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, ENHANCING WATER SECURITY AT INDIVIDUAL TO NATIONAL SCALES, IMPROVING PRIVATE SECTOR PERFORMANCE, AND INTEGRATING THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES FOR IMPROVED AWARENESS, UNDERSTANDING, AND CULTURALLY-APPROPRIATE SOLUTIONS.

VISITING WATER SCHOLAR PROGRAM�UPDATE FROM: HEATHER PREISENDANZ, AGRICULTURAL AND BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING �FORMER WATER COUNCIL MEMBER/CO-CHAIR

OVERVIEW

• DEVELOP A NEW VISITING WATER SCHOLAR PROGRAM
• PURPOSE: ATTRACT INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED SCHOLARS IN STRATEGIC AREAS OF FOCUS FOR THE PENN STATE WATER CONSORTIUM
• ENGAGE IN WATER-RELATED RESEARCH, SEMINARS, ETC.
• ENGAGE IN COMMUNITY BUILDING AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
• DURATION: EACH SCHOLAR’S TERM WOULD BE FOR UP TO A YEAR
• FUNDING: $30,000 PER SCHOLAR
• GOAL: ONE SCHOLAR IN FISCAL YEAR 2023/24; TWO SCHOLARS IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS

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SPRING 2022 – PROGRAM DESIGNED

• COMMITTEE FORMED TO DEVELOP THE PROGRAM:
• ROXI THOREN, RACHEL BRENNAN, ALAN TAYLOR, YUEFENG XIE & HEATHER PREISENDANZ
• PROGRAM TEXT COMPLETED MARCH 2022; APPROVED APRIL/MAY 2022
• PROGRAM LAUNCHED SUMMER 2022

CURRENT STATUS – FALL 2022

• RECEIVED 2 APPLICATIONS
• REVIEW COMMITTEE: ALFONSO MEJIA, MENG WANG, & HEATHER PREISENDANZ
• ZOOM MEETINGS WITH PENN STATE HOSTS THIS WEEK
• IF AN APPLICANT IS SELECTED, WE WILL HAVE OUR FIRST VISITING SCHOLAR HOSTED AT PENN STATE STARTING IN SUMMER/FALL 2023

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VISITING WATER SCHOLAR PROGRAM�UPDATE FROM: HEATHER PREISENDANZ, AGRICULTURAL AND BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING �FORMER WATER COUNCIL MEMBER/CO-CHAIR

PENN STATE ASSOCIATION OF WATER STUDENTS (PAWS)�ROUHANGIZ YAVARI, PAWS PRESIDENT

OVERVIEW

• BUILD A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE GROUP OF STUDENTS INTERESTED AND/OR ENGAGED IN WATER RESEARCH
• OPEN TO ALL PENN STATE UNDERGRADUATES, GRADUATES, AND POSTDOCS

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Join our mailing list by emailing:

psuwaterstudentgroup@gmail.com

Mailing List

PENN STATE ASSOCIATION OF WATER STUDENTS (PAWS)�ROUHANGIZ YAVARI, PAWS PRESIDENT

BUILDING FORWARD

• UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

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PAWS Conference

• April 2023,

Water Cooler Series

• Presentations and Discussion (First Thursday of Every Month):
• Date: November 3rd, 5-6 pm ET
• Location: Sackett Building Room 327
• For more information email:

rmy5091@psu.edu

bxa5251@psu.edu

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Join our mailing list by emailing:

psuwaterstudentgroup@gmail.com

Twitter: @PennStateWater

Discord: https://discord.gg/PkgPZqwKzU 

sites.psu.edu/pennstatewater/

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WATER RESEARCH FOUNDATION…RECENT 20 RFPS (HTTPS://WWW.WATERRF.ORG/OPEN-RFPS), DUE EITHER NOV 11^TH OR DEC 13^TH� $150K-$350K/PROJECT��DIVERSE WATER-RELATED TOPICS, SUCH AS:

• ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS
• WATER QUALITY, INCLUDING EMERGING CONTAMINANTS
• COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
• EQUITY AND SOCIAL DIMENSIONS
• WATER AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE
• TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES
• PUBLIC HEALTH AND UTILITY OPERATIONS
• WORKFORCE TRAINING AND WORKFORCE DEI

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• REMOTE SENSING TECHNOLOGIES
• WATER UTILITY FINANCE AND RATE DESIGNS
• GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND WEF NEXUS
• WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
• BIOSOLIDS
• AI AND MACHINE LEARNING
• ONE-WATER PLANNING

WRF will release an additional five RfPs in early 2023, listed at the bottom of the website. 

Assistance? Contact Alfonso Mejia (aim127@psu.edu) or Andy Warner (atw11@psu.edu)

WATER:

1. PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT
2. ADVANCING RESILIENT COMMUNITIES ON A DYNAMIC EARTH
3. DRIVING INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
4. GUIDING SOCIAL ACTION, POLICY AND CORPORATE TRANSFORMATION

• DEADLINE: NOV 28, 2022; 5PM
• UP TO $30,000 PER PROJECT
• 2-PAGE PROPOSAL, ACCESSIBLE

• New interdisciplinary research teams pursuing novel research: IEE themes, high-risk proof of concept projects
• Position for high-impact research and substantial external funding
• Promote research and mentorship between junior and senior faculty

PA WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH CENTER (PAWRRC)�FUNDING THROUGH DOI-USGS

104B PROGRAM

• PROJECTS, WITH PA/REGIONAL FOCUS
• TYPICALLY, UP TO $25K-$30K
• ESTIMATED TIMELINE:
• MID-DEC: PAWRRC CALL FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS
• MID-JAN: PROJECT PROPOSALS DUE
• END OF JAN: REVIEW & SELECTION
• ~FEB/MAR: GRANT PROPOSAL DUE TO USGS
• ~SUMMER: USGS NOTICE
• GRANT POP: SEPT 1, 23 – AUG 31, 2024

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104G PROGRAM

• REGIONAL/NATIONAL ISSUES (E.G., PFAS, MISSISSIPPI BASIN AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES)
• COMPETITIVE
• USGS INVOLVEMENT IMPORTANT. STRENGTHENED BY COLLABORATION WITH OTHER INSTITUTES/CENTERS
• ESTIMATED TIMELINE: USGS RFP IN FEB/MAR, WITH PROPOSALS DUE IN 30 DAYS(?)

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Pennsylvania �Sea Grant�College Program

Where We Work

Mission

To enhance the use and conservation of Pennsylvania’s coastal and Great Lakes resources to create a healthy environment, resilient and inclusive communities, and a strong and sustainable economy.

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• Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development  
• Healthy Coastal Ecosystems
• Resilient Communities and Economies 
• Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

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Focus Areas:

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• For 2024-2026 Funding:
• RFP will be released in January 2023
• Preproposals due February 24, 2023

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• Research Funded
• Total: $5.8 million for 189 projects (47 institutions)
• Penn State: $3.1 million for 65 projects
• All projects listed at: http://seagrant.psu.edu/research

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• Undergraduate and graduate student support
• 146 undergraduate students
• 37 graduate students
• 24 Ph.D. students

Research – Biennial Competition

Fellowships

John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship

• What: An esteemed, one year fellowship that matches highly qualified graduate students with "hosts" in the legislative and executive branches of government located in Washington, D.C.

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• Where: Washington, D.C.

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• When: February 1, 2024 to January 31, 2025

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• Finances: Stipend = $66,500, Allowable: $5,000
• Host office may provide $17,500 for travel and trainings

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• https://seagrant.noaa.gov/Knauss-Fellowship-Program

NOAA Coastal Management Fellowship

• What: A two-year prestigious fellowship that provides on-the-job training in coastal resource management and policy by matching postgraduate students with state coastal resource agencies

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• Who: Any student who will complete a master's or other advanced degree in natural resource management or environmental-related studies at an accredited U.S. university between August 1, 2021 and July 31, 2023 is eligible.

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• Where: Matched with various states

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• Finances: Stipend = $42,000; Benefits: health insurance, worker’s compensation, relocation and travel reimbursement

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• https://coast.noaa.gov/fellowship/

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• Applications due in January

Contact Us!

Sean Rafferty

Research Director,

Pennsylvania Sea Grant

srafferty@psu.edu

814-898-7082

seagrant.psu.edu

Sarah Whitney

Director,

Pennsylvania Sea Grant

swhitney@psu.edu

610-304-8753

seagrant.psu.edu

We believe that all people should have access to science-based education.

IMAGE CREDIT: FREEPIX.COM

Again in May 2023!

Working with PSU Researchers

Dr. Lisa Emili

Research Subject: Microplastics

Research Subject: Radium and Salinity in Well Water

Research Subject: PFAS

Dr. Nat Warner

Dr. Heather Preisendanz

Email: tag5611@psu.edu

Huck SciArt Group

Daryl Branford & Talley Fisher

Huck SciArt seeks multi-disciplinary collaborations to design, develop and implement interactive, experiential projects that represent scientific concepts, research, and advancements, through the arts.

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Our projects explore the relationship between art, science, and technology to enhance the communication of scientific research, drive innovation, and broaden our understanding of complex systems to make them more accessible to a wider audience.

The Zombie Ant Experience

The ZAE is a unique multimedia installation that includes metal sculpture, visualizations, performance, and augmented reality. Through a detailed metal sculpture and an augmented reality iPad application, the story of the life cycle of the fungus, Cordyceps, that creates the so-called “Zombie Ants” unfolds.

Kuhlkarni Theater, Penn State Harrisburg

Institutes for Energy and the Environment, EEL Building Lobby, University Park

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH

-REPRESENTS RESEARCH ON CLIMATE,

CARBON DATING, WATER QUALITY, &

MICROPLASTICS

BATTERY RESEARCH

-ANODE & CATHODE PATTERNS

-ION & METAL OXIDE REPRESENTED

ENERGY RESEARCH

-SOLAR PANEL RESEARCH

-PEROVSKITE SOLAR MODULE

THE BIOMACHINE

-REPRESENTS VIRUSES AND HUMAN

RESPONSE THRROUGH RESEARCH

-DISPLAYS ROTATE VISUALIZATIONS

OF RESEARCH AT THE HUCK

Huck SciArt Group

https://hucksciart.com

Daryl Branford, Director of Science-Art Initiatives

Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences

W-310 Millennium Science Complex

dnb107@psu.edu

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Talley Fisher, Senior Research Artist

Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences & Institutes

for Energy and the Environment

W-310 Millennium Science Complex

tef11@psu.edu

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WATER SCIENCE, POLICY AND MANAGEMENT IGDP�KEN DAVIS

OVERVIEW

• INTERDISCIPLINARY WATER IGDP (MS & PHD)
• STRONG COHORT DESIGN
• INTENDED TO ATTRACT STUDENTS THAT WE COULD NOT RECRUIT WITH EXISTING DEGREE PROGRAMS
• THREE NEW CORE COURSES (1^ST YEAR)
• INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDENT COMMITTEES

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WATER SCIENCE, POLICY AND MANAGEMENT IGDP�KEN DAVIS

STATUS

• WATER 501, 502, 503 PROPOSALS…
• NEARLY FINISHED, THANKS TO LAUREN MCPHILLIPS, JON DUNCAN AND MICHAEL MASHTARE.
• SIGN UP TO JOIN THE WATER GRADUATE FACULTY HTTPS://FORMS.OFFICE.COM/R/CYMGMEB2CW
• PROGRAM PROSPECTUS SUBMITTED TO THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON GRADUATE EDUCATION. APPROVED. (1 MEMBER WITH MAJOR CONCERNS…TRYING TO LEARN WHO / WHAT CONCERNS)
• FULL PROPOSAL TO BE SUBMITTED THIS SEMESTER, ALONG WITH NEW COURSE PROPOSALS.
• NEEDS: BUDGET REVIEW, PROGRAM HEAD / DIRECTOR, MODEST PROPOSAL EDITS.
• WANT TO REVIEW THE PROGRAM PROPOSAL? STILL POSSIBLE. CONTACT US.

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Ken Davis: kjd10@psu.edu

Andy Warner: atw11@psu.edu

WATER RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATES�NATHANIEL WARNER, CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

OVERVIEW

• REU SITE: CONTAMINANTS AND COMMUNITY: ADDRESSING LEGACY AND EMERGING WATER QUALITY CONCERNS
• 3 YEARS - TOTAL OF $389,998
• 10-WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM W/4 WEEKS COHORT TRAINING-
• PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EXAMINE ROTATING EMERGING CONTAMINANTS, MICROPLASTICS, PFAS, SALINITY
• BROADENING ACCESS BY RECRUITING STUDENTS FROM HBCU, TRIBAL COLLEGES, AND THE “NEW MAJORITY” STUDENTS— FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS, ADULT LEARNERS AND VETERANS/RESERVISTS
• IN REVIEW

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Relevant website(s)

nrw6@psu.edu

Are you interested in leading an NSF Water Research Traineeship (NRT) proposal?

If you are, please get in touch with me (aim127@psu.edu) and Andy Warner (atwarner@psu.edu)

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• The NRT Program trains STEM graduate students in interdisciplinary research areas through the use of traineeship/education models (https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2021/nsf21536/nsf21536.htm)

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• The creation of sustainable programmatic capacity at institutions is an expected outcome of NRT Program

• Proposal deadline is September 6, 2023, but need to start early
• $3 million/award (14-16 award), five years in duration
• Only two proposals per institution (internal down-select at Penn State)
• The program especially welcomes proposals that include partnership with NSF INCLUDES – increasing inclusion of under-represented groups
• Implementation of robust program assessment and evaluation
• NRT-funded trainees cannot be charged tuition or any other required costs of education while they are receiving a NRT stipend.
• Six priority areas:
• Harnessing the Data Revolution
• The Future of Work at the Human-Technology Frontier
• Navigating the New Arctic
• Multi-Messenger Astrophysics
• Quantum Revolution
• Rules of Life: Predicting Phenotype

https://beta.nsf.gov/news/nsf-research-traineeship-program-expands-include

NSF Innovations in Graduate Education (IGE) program

• For

Opportunities for graduate students:

• Professional development workshops
• 1-6 months research abroad
• 12 graduate students for 2023 cohort
• No citizenship requirement

Application deadline: Dec.1, 2022

Project descriptions and application:

https://sites.psu.edu/wefnexus/opportunities/