UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Ashtekar Frontiers of Science Lectures in the Eberly College of Science, a series of free public lectures now in its 32nd year, will return to Penn State on Jan. 24.
This year’s lecture series, titled “Unexpected pairings: Addressing today’s biggest societal questions using different disciplinary approaches,” will explore how researchers in the college approach some of today’s biggest societal questions using different approaches. The 2026 lecture series brings together researchers from disparate disciplines to showcase how faculty from across the Eberly College's seven departments leverage wide-ranging methodologies and theoretical approaches to tackle pressing scientific issues and help shape the future of science, health and humanity.
Each of the six lectures held on consecutive Saturdays will feature two high-level overview talks focused one of the big societal questions that drive research in the college. Attendees of the lectures will hear from researchers on topics including origins, medicine, resources, materials, climate and education.
The lecture series this year will be held on the University Park campus on six consecutive Saturday mornings, Jan. 24 through Feb. 28, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in 001 Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Building. Talks will be followed by an audience question-and-answer session, moderated by Eberly College of Science graduate students.
This year’s speakers include:
Jan. 24: Origins
- Suvrath Mahadevan, Verne M. Willaman Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Tom Stewart, assistant professor of biology
Jan. 31: Medicine
- Wenrui Hao, professor of mathematics
- Santhosh Girirajan, T. Ming Chu Professor of Genomics and head of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Feb. 7: Climate
- Helen Greatrex, assistant professor of geography and statistics
- John Harlim, professor of mathematics
Feb. 14: Materials
- Danielle Hickey, assistant professor of chemistry and of materials science and engineering
- Bryce Gadway, professor of physics
Feb. 21: Resources
- Charlie Anderson, professor of biology
- Joseph Cotruvo, professor of chemistry
Feb. 28: Education
- Jennelle Malcos, associate dean for undergraduate education
- Matthew Beckman, associate research professor of statistics
Visit the Ashtekar Frontiers of Science Lectures for more information.
About the Ashtekar Frontiers of Science Lectures
Abhay Ashtekar founded the Penn State Lectures on the Frontiers of Science in 1995, soon after he arrived at Penn State as director of a new research center that subsequently evolved to become the Institute for Gravitation and the Cosmos. It owes its success to tireless efforts and meticulous planning by Barbara Kennedy, who presided over the series during its first 25 years, making it one of the most successful science outreach events in central Pennsylvania.
Accommodations
Penn State encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. Those who anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about physical access provided, can call 814-867-5830 or email sci-comm@psu.edu in advance of their participation or visit.