From Concept to Creation: Uncovering the Making of Scholarly and Creative Accomplishments

What happens when research is shaped not just in labs and offices, but in partnership with the communities it aims to serve? In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Kraschnewski, Director of Penn State’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), and Dr. George Garrow, Chief Executive Officer of Primary Health Network, share a behind-the-scenes look at their collaborative work — and the trust, ope...

Meet Scarlett Miller, the Paul Morrow Professor of Engineering Design and Manufacturing and Director of the Cocoziello Institute of Real Estate Innovation. In this episode, Scarlett shares how her work brings together researchers, students, and diverse partners to explore questions about the built environment--the interconnected systems that shape the spaces where we live and work. Along the way,...

We’re excited to continue a four-part minisode series highlighting undergraduates who’ve earned some of the most competitive awards in STEM research. These recognitions — including the Astronaut and Goldwater Scholarships — celebrate not only the impact of students’ current work but also their promise as future researchers. In each conversation, we explore the experiences that set them on their pa...

We’re excited to continue a four-part minisode series highlighting undergraduates who’ve earned some of the most competitive awards in STEM research. These recognitions — including the Astronaut and Goldwater Scholarships — celebrate not only the impact of students’ current work but also their promise as future researchers. In each conversation, we explore the experiences that set them on their pa...

We’re excited to continue a four-part minisode series highlighting undergraduates who’ve earned some of the most competitive awards in STEM research. These recognitions — including the Astronaut and Goldwater Scholarships — celebrate not only the impact of students’ current work but also their promise as future researchers. In each conversation, we explore the experiences that set them on their pa...

We’re excited to launch a four-part minisode series highlighting undergraduates who’ve earned some of the most competitive awards in STEM research. These recognitions — including the Astronaut and Goldwater Scholarships — celebrate not only the impact of students’ current work but also their promise as future researchers. In each conversation, we explore the experiences that set them on their path...

Get ready to meet Boaz Dvir -- documentary filmmaker, associate professor, and all-around inspiring individual. In this conversation, Boaz takes us behind the scenes to explore how he brings to life the stories of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. We explore the differences between documentary films and journalism, as well as the power of primary research. We also dig into the values...

As an Associate Teaching Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State Scranton, Dr. Melissa LaBuda uses Penn State's Experiential Digital Global Engagement (EDGE) program to connect her students with peers from around the world. When students collaborate across cultures, they’re building a broader worldview while practicing communication, collaboration, self-awareness, and p...

Meet Elizabeth Schachte, a Penn State New Kensington graduate whose path has been shaped by curiosity, compassion, and a deep commitment to research. From her time as a Biobehavioral Health student in the honors program to her work with the National Health Corps to her return to Penn State New Kensington as a research coordinator, Elizabeth has embraced research as a way of understanding the world...

Cheryl Horten has entered the AI landscape head-on. Through her work as an academic coordinator and business analytics instructor at Penn State’s Smeal College of Business, and as a doctoral candidate in business intelligence, Cheryl is deeply invested in considering the opportunities and challenges that AI offers. Join us for a thoughtful conversation about if, how, and when AI can be a valuable...

Command Sergeant Major, Dr. Robert Nelson (US Army Retired) and Sergeant Major Kanessa Trent (US Army Retired) dedicated their lives to military service in the U.S. Army, rising through the ranks to become elite leaders. Along the way, they attended the prestigious Sergeants Major Academy, a rigorous program offered in partnership with Penn State World Campus. But for them, the journey was never j...

Dr. Beth Michalec is passionate about teaching and an advocate for immersive cultural experience, not to mention a huge Dolly Parton fan. As an Assistant Professor of Corporate Communication at Penn State Lehigh Valley, she challenges her students to look at everything with a curious mind. Her recent journey as a Fulbright Specialist took her to Croatia, where she collaborated with students and co...

We’re thrilled to bring you a four-part series casting a spotlight on different sides of undergraduate research and resources that support undergrads’ journeys with research.  In the fourth and final minisode of this series, we talk with Sarah Esslinger. When we spoke with her in Spring 2024, Sarah was just about to graduate with a double major in music education and vocal performance at the Unive...

We’re thrilled to bring you a four-part series casting a spotlight on different sides of undergraduate research and resources that support undergrads’ journeys with research.  In the third minisode of this series, we talk with Rishika Patil. When we spoke with her in Spring 2024, Rishika was a junior majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University Park campus, as well as a Researc...

We’re thrilled to bring you a four-part series casting a spotlight on different sides of undergraduate research and resources that support undergrads’ journeys with research.  In the second minisode of this series, we talk with Mia Peifer. When we spoke with Mia in Spring 2024, she was a senior majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University Park campus, as well as a Research Amba...

We’re thrilled to bring you a four-part series casting a spotlight on different sides of undergraduate research and resources that support undergrads’ journeys with research.  In the first minisode of this series, we talk with Tineka Lebrun, Director of Penn State’s Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Mentoring (URFM) office. Are you an undergrad looking for some help getting started with resea...

It’s that time of year when the air gets cooler, the moon feels fuller, and you always feel like you are being…ummm…watched? Let’s face it, we are all afraid of things that haunt the woods, but what does that fear tell you about human life and culture? Well, today’s guest, Jack Daly, is a Ph. D. candidate in American Studies at Penn State Harrisburg. In this conversation, Jack shares insights abou...

We can’t wait for you to meet Dr. Linda Treviño, Distinguished Professor of Organizational Behavior and Ethics in the Department of Management and Organization in the Smeal College of Business at Penn State. A true leader in her field, Dr. Treviño talks with us about what it means to be curious and how to turn that curiosity into action -- and how to persist in the face of pushback, too. Join us f...

Do you love unique inquiry projects that engage and empower students? Do you want to learn about experiential and experimental teaching and learning in the humanities? We thought so! Join us as we learn from our three guests about their work with undergraduates around transcribing and researching historical recipes. Dr. Marissa Nicosia is an Associate Professor of Renaissance Literature at Penn St...

Just wait until you hear Dr. Pauline Milwood, associate professor of hospitality management at Penn State Berks, talk about teaching, research, and her own path into academia. It’s a roller coaster in the best possible way. In one semester, she guides students through the opening of a pop-up restaurant that serves more than 100 patrons! Her work is engaging and transformative and she shares all of...

We can’t wait for you to hear everything Marisa DeCollibus has to say in this episode. Marisa is a PhD Candidate and Graduate Research Assistant in School Psychology at University Park.  If you’re curious about what it’s like to pursue a PhD and write a dissertation, this episode is chock full of great insights. But just as important, Marisa pulls back the curtain on the attitudes and habits of mi...

We’re so excited for you to meet undergraduates Mary Wilson, Tobey Field, and Ethan Davies in this episode.  Mary, Tobey, and Ethan sparked an enthusiasm for engineering in us that we didn’t know we had! And we bet they’re going to do the same for you. Their stories about research experiences -- from the Multi-Campus Research Experience for Undergraduates (MC REU) at Penn State to their Engineers...

In today’s episode, we talk with Chris Millet about his work, his PhD experience, and his passion for staying ahead of the curve. Chris Millet has been at Penn State University for more than 25 years. From stepping onto campus as an undergraduate to becoming the Senior Director of Learning Design for Penn State World Campus, Chris has earned his degrees and climbed the ranks as a Nittany Lion. Cur...

Meet Dr. Chris Shelton and Remington Orange, virtual reality pioneers at Penn State Behrend!  Dr. Chris Shelton is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology and Director of the Virtual/Augmented Reality Lab (VAR Lab) at Penn State Behrend. Remington Orange is a sophomore in the Digital Media, Arts, and Technology program at Penn State Behrend.  Dive into their (virtual) world with us and learn...

We’re thrilled to bring you our conversation with educator, researcher, and editor, Ellysa Cahoy. Ellysa is an Education Librarian and co-director of Reference Services in Penn State University Libraries, based at the University Park campus. Ellysa is also the editor of portal: Libraries and the Academy .  Ellysa is the research coach you didn’t know you needed. And her stories about her own resea...