Discovery of Planet Too Big for Its Sun Throws Off Solar System Formation Models

The discovery of a planet that is far too massive for its sun is calling into question what was previously understood about the formation of planets and their solar systems, according to Penn State researchers.

Researchers report the discovery of a planet more than 13 times as massive as Earth orbiting the “ultracool” star LHS 3154, which itself is nine times less massive than the sun. The mass ratio of the newly found planet with its host star is more than 100 times higher than that of Earth and the sun. Read more.

Ala Stanford Honored with Distinguished Alumni Award

Eberly College of Science alumna Ala Stanford is among eight Penn State alumni to be selected by the Board of Trustees to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award, the University's highest honor presented to its alumni. The award salutes the achievements of outstanding alumni whose "personal lives, professional achievements, and community service exemplify the objectives of their alma mater." Read more.

Aleksandra "Seš") Slavković Named Associate Dean for Research in the Eberly College of Science

Aleksandra "Seša" Slavković, Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Chair in Data Privacy and Confidentiality, professor of statistics and of public health sciences, and associate dean for graduate education in the Penn State Eberly College of Science, has been named the associate dean for research in the college, effective December 1, 2023. Read more.

Jennelle Malcos Named Eberly College Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Students

Jennelle Malcos, teaching professor in the Department of Biology and associate director of the Center for Excellence in Science Education in the Penn State Eberly College of Science, has been named the assistant dean for undergraduate students in the college, effective January 1, 2024. Read more.

Ashtekar Frontiers of Science Lectures

In this celebration of 30 years of the Eberly College of Science’s public-facing preeminent winter lecture series, we look at how science has changed over the passage of time, including updates, breakthroughs, and how research fields have evolved. This anniversary year will look back at past topics, including updates from some speakers, as well as look ahead to the new advancements and future prospects of the impactful research in the college and across Penn State. Read more and view the lecture schedule.