“Innovation Across Scales: Biodevices, Genes, and Ecosystems”

In November, we welcome Scott Medina, recently named the new director of the Center for Biodevices, who shares his forward-thinking vision; celebrate two Penn State faculty named National Academy of Kinesiology fellows, and learn about the transformative research being done on genes associated with obesity.

Our own Christina Grozinger, director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, will be the keynote speaker at the 2025 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Charles Valentine Riley Memorial Lecture in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 20.

One last reminder: The Huck Institutes Call: Penn State–Ghana Research Partnerships Seed Grants 2025 deadline is Monday, November 10. Click here for more information on how to apply.

Since its inception in 2020, the Center for Biodevices has united Penn State’s interdisciplinary research in engineering, science and medicine, accelerating innovation by creating a dynamic community focusing on the advancement of biodevices across the medical field.

Recently named the director of the Center for Biodevices, Scott Medina, William and Wendy Korb Early Career Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, is expanding the center’s impact beyond medicine to encompass agricultural and environmental applications.

Medina’s research focuses on nanoscale biodevice design and precision therapeutics. His work interfaces chemical biology, biomaterials and molecular self-assembly to create responsive devices that monitor and manipulate living systems, spanning areas of human health, microbial ecology and plant physiology.

Medina has identified four themes to strategically direct research activities and engagement and guide his overall vision for the center:

In addition to expanded areas of collaborative research, the center is also focusing on new opportunities for industry engagement with accelerated translation and workforce readiness through transfer initiatives, industry partnerships and capstone project sponsorships. By engaging in hands-on translational experiences, students are empowered to accelerate their impact as they enter the workforce.

A new study published in Nature Communications, by researchers at Penn State, involving about 850,000 adults across six continental ancestries, has identified 13 genes associated with obesity across ancestries. While eight of these genes had been found in previous studies, five were identified for the first time, having no previous links to obesity. In addition, the team dissected how these genes influence obesity-related comorbidities such as Type 2 diabetes and heart-failure risk.

The findings provide insight into the genetic underpinnings of obesity around the globe, the researchers said, explaining that this insight could help guide precision medicine efforts by revealing key genes that might be missed in single-population studies.

In a subset of individuals whose biobank entries included plasma proteomics data — a comprehensive list of proteins found in their blood plasma — the team also identified changes in circulating proteins linked to the obesity genes that they identified. These changes point to potential drug targets and biomarkers that could guide future treatments and help track response to therapy, the researchers said.

Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences core facilities are offering a new course for spring 2026, Modern Methods in Biological Research, for upper-level undergraduate students and graduate students studying in the life sciences. This exciting new course will bring students into the classroom and the Huck Core Facilities, preparing students for research in academia, industry and medicine.

Enrollment is open to third and fourth year undergraduate students and graduate students studying within the life sciences fields.

Spotted lanternflies may season themselves to the distaste of potential bird predators, according to a new study led by entomologists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

To help achieve their results, the researchers utilized the Huck’s Metabolomics Core Facility to measure the levels of the toxic chemicals called quassinoids in spotted lanternflies at different stages of development.

Spotted lanternflies that fed on their preferred host plant, Tree of Heaven, stored these chemicals and were less likely to be eaten by several species of bird, providing a chemical defense and contributing to their invasiveness. Chemical analyses by the facility showed that adults had the highest concentrations and that spotted lanternfly eggs also contained these toxic chemicals suggesting potential inherited protection.

At a series of workshops offered by the Huck Institutes' Sartorius Cell Culture Facility, researchers received instruction and training in the use of advanced biotechnology instruments. Undergrads, graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and staff members all took part, building and strengthening their skills under the direction of the experienced, highly qualified facility staff.

Two Penn State Department of Kinesiology faculty members, Lacy Alexander, professor of kinesiology, and Danielle Symons Downs, professor of kinesiology and obstetrics and gynecology, were recently named fellows of the National Academy of Kinesiology (NAK).

Alexander and Downs were two of 12 national and international scholars inducted during the academy’s 94th annual meeting held in Pittsburgh last month. Their induction into the academy recognizes long-standing scholarly excellence, leadership, and contributions to the field of kinesiology. With the induction of Alexander and Downs, the Department of Kinesiology now has 12 faculty members who are fellows in the NAK.

Both Alexander and Downs have also made significant contributions to the specialized areas in the sub-disciplines of women’s health, physiology and behavioral medicine.

Pollinators, plants and people: Building networks for resilience

Dr. Grozinger’s remarks will highlight the crucial relationship between pollinators, plants, and humans, addressing the threats to pollinator populations and the need for habitat improvement strategies, as well as emphasizing the role of technology and data science in supporting these efforts for ecological balance.

These remarks will be followed by a Q&A session and a panel discussion with distinguished experts Dr. Elizabeth Hill, Director of Research for Federal Relations at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr. Gabriela Quinlan, Postdoctoral Researcher and Upcoming Assistant Professor of Pollinator Science at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, and Ms. Claudia West, Principal at Phyto Studio. Dr. Erin Cadwalader, Director of Strategic Leadership and Policy at the Entomological Society of America, will moderate the discussion. A reception will follow for the in-person attendees.

Ensuring Sustainable Bioenergy and Biomaterials for People and the Planet

Seminar Topics:

The Plants for People and the Planet series will showcase cutting-edge research and diverse perspectives on how plants can shape a healthier, more sustainable future. This interdisciplinary series is designed to:

Participants will gain insights into the future of plant innovation and its role in solving real-world problems. The knowledge shared will directly inform the development of the Plant Innovation Complex, a major initiative of the Huck Institutes for 2025–2030.

Join moderators, Karen Kemirembe and Maria Petrilak from University Foundation Relations and the following panelists, as they share how they collaborate with researchers to manage foundation funding from start to finish, discussing key challenges and strategies for success.

Huck research attracts media attention from around the world. Here are some highlights from the past month:

Do you have an important or impactful story to share? Have something to celebrate? Let us know by emailing [email protected].