UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Lee Kump, dean of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) and professor of geosciences at Penn State, will explore how scientific research at EMS is making a strong impact on students and society in the next session of the Virtual Speaker Series, hosted by the Penn State Alumni Association. The free event will be held online on June 23 from noon to 1 p.m. Registration is now open.
In his presentation, “Scientific Research Impacting Students and Society: Examples from Earth and Mineral Sciences,” Kump will take attendees on a wide-ranging tour of current breakthroughs happening in the college, including projects on:
- LionGlass, a revolutionary new type of glass
- severe weather prediction
- human origins
- volcanic eruptions and ice-sheet collapse
- wildfire
- extracting rare earth elements while treating acid mine drainage
Penn State established the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences 130 years ago to support an interdisciplinary approach to workforce development for industries including mining and petroleum engineering. Today, that interdisciplinary approach is focused on global challenges involving energy and the environment. The research Kump will showcase reflects the breadth and importance of the college’s mission.
Kump’s presentation will highlight the central role of students in these projects.
“In every case, students are working side-by-side with world-class faculty, advancing their education while making a difference in the world," Kump said.
Kump’s own research, conducted alongside his students, investigates atmosphere and ocean evolution, climate change in deep time and biogeochemical cycles.
Kump has served as dean of EMS since 2017 and joined the Penn State faculty in 1986. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences and a fellow of several professional societies.
In addition to more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, Kump has authored textbooks in earth system science and mathematical modeling, as well as popular books on climate change. His work has been featured in documentaries broadcast on NOVA Science Now, the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, BBC, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the History Channel.
The Virtual Speaker Series is one of several programs offered online by the Penn State Alumni Association. For more events and programs that will inform, educate and inspire, visit the Alumni Association’s events listing.
About the Penn State Alumni Association
For more than 150 years, the Penn State Alumni Association has provided alumni with a strong and welcoming community representative of the Penn Staters it proudly serves. The association keeps alumni connected to the University and to each other, while upholding Penn State traditions and supporting the University’s mission of teaching, research and service. The association also produces the award-winning Penn Stater magazine and other publications, and offers alumni and friends volunteer opportunities, educational programming and many other services. For more information about the Alumni Association, visit alumni.psu.edu.