Skip to main content
Penn State Altoona
Hotline Give Visit Apply
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Research and Engagement
    • Eiche Library
    • Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • New Student Orientation
  • Admissions & Financial Aid
    • Visit Us
    • Admissions Overview
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Tuition and Financial Aid Resources
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
  • Student Success
    • Student Affairs
    • Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • Housing
    • Athletics
    • Career Services
    • Safety and Security
  • Information For
    • Prospective Students
    • Transfer Students
    • Current Students
    • International Students
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Alumni
    • Parents & Families
Full site navigation menu

This dialog contains the full navigation menu for this site.

Penn State Altoona
Enter the terms you wish to search for.
Search type:
Hotline Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • College Leadership
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Center for Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • International Student Services
    • Housing
    • Parking
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
    • Police and Safety
    • Career Services
  • Research and Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Community-Based Studies
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
    • Schedule
    • Facilities
    • Recreation and Club Sports
    • Staff and Coaches Directory
    • Athletic Training and Sports Physicals
    • Athletics News
    • Camps and Clinics
    • Hall of Fame

Find Information For:

  • Prospective Students
  • Transfer Students
  • Current Students
  • International Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
  • Parents & Families

Helpful Links

  • Campus Map
  • Academic Calendar
  • Campus Calendar
  • Faculty & Staff Directory
  • Offices and Divisions
  • Employment Opportunities

Connect With Us

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • flickr
  • linkedin
  1. Home
  2. Research and Engagement
  3. Grant Resources and Policies

Currently Active External Awards

The faculty and staff of Penn State Altoona seek a variety of external awards from foundations, agencies, and other sponsors to support their research, teaching, creative activities, and service responsibilities.

Listed below are those awards that are currently active, the faculty or staff member responsible, and the source of funding.


Dr. Carolyn Mahan, Professor of Biology
Title: Biodiversity Along Pennsylvania Right-of Ways
Sponsor: Tree Research & Education Endowment Fund
Website: https://sites.psu.edu/transmissionlineecology/

The Pennsylvania State Game Lands 33 (SGL33) research project in central Pennsylvania SGL33 is the site of the longest continuous study (~60 years) measuring the effects of herbicides and mechanical vegetation management practices on plant diversity, wildlife habitat, and wildlife use within a right-of-way (ROW). Similar studies have been conducted at a companion site, Green Lane Research and Demonstration Area (GLR&D), in southeastern Pennsylvania since 1987. Both projects provide invaluable information for understanding the response of plants and animals to vegetation management on rights-of-way. Long-term studies conducted on SGL33 and GLR&D sites have shown economic, aesthetic and wildlife habitat benefits associated with integrated vegetation management practices on transmission line rights-of-way. This information is critical to help right-of-way managers implement proper vegetation management practices that meet needs of their industry, the public, and wildlife. Future research will be shaped based on the needs of the utility industry to address conservation issues, new vegetation management techniques, and concerns generated by the public and scientific community. Asplundh, Dow Chemical Company, and First Energy are all funding partners of this long-term ecological research project.

Dr. Christopher Martin, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Title: Investigation of Ion Currents in the Oxyfuel Cutting Flame and their Links to Critical Process Parameters
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Websites: https://sites.psu.edu/cmartin/ion-currents-in-oxyfuel-cutting-flames/ and https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1900698

Researchers at Penn State Altoona are proud to lead a collaboration with partners at Virginia Tech and IHT Automation GmbH to investigate ion currents in the oxyfuel cutting flame. The team aims to exploit tiny naturally-occurring electrical currents in the flame between cutting torch and steel work piece to form a sophisticated sensor that is invulnerable to damage during this harsh process. Funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, this three-year project engages undergraduate students at Penn State Altoona to address a critical need for cheaper and more reliable sensing suites to prepare traditional steel-cutting systems for the future of manufacturing.

Dr. Hai Haung, Associate Professor of Rail Transportation Engineering and Dr. Shihui Shen, Professor of Rail Transportation Engineering
Title: Rural Railroad Safety and Workforce Development Center
Sponsor: Federal Railroad Administration

In collaboration with Kansas State University, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, University of Florida, and California State University, Chico, Penn State Altoona is part of the $2.5 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration to create the Rural Railroad Safety Center. Specifically, our faculty will realize real-time monitoring and assessment for railway bridges, especially for those under-represented rail groups such as short lines and regional service lines located in rural areas, to improve their safety and reliability.

Dr. Lacey Wallace, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
Title: 2020 Rural Youth Survey - Trends and Developments in the Attitudes and Aspirations of Rural Pennsylvania Youth
Sponsor: Center for Rural Pennsylvania

Residents leaving the Commonwealth, unemployment, and substance abuse challenge rural Pennsylvania communities disproportionately compared to urban populations. Yet, the interplay between youth expectations, aspirations and the fate of rural youth is poorly understood. Significant insight was gained from the 2010 Rural Youth Education Project (RYEP), but many factors have changed since then. This project will build on the RYEP by developing and administering a comparable survey tool that is more relevant to what youth face in 2020. The new survey will expand the scope of the prior data collection by including a brief survey of school administrators as well as more detailed data on peers, delinquency, and substance use. Ultimately, this research will help policy makers address the current needs of Pennsylvania’s rural youth.

Faculty Research Resources

  • Search for Collaborators and External Funding
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Opportunities
    • Faculty Research Areas
  • Grant Resources and Policies
    • College Policies Regarding Research
    • Currently Active External Awards
    • Responsible Conduct of Research
    • Students as Research Subjects
    • Risk Management Travel Guidelines
    • Penn State response to new NSF and NIH requirements
  • Internal Grants and Awards
    • Applications for Internal Support
    • Fred Allen Womack and Frances Sue Zimmerman Womack Book Award
    • Outstanding Achievement in Research and Creative Activity Award
    • Publication Support
  • Research Advisory Committee
  • Notice of Intent to Apply for External Funding
  • Standard Budget Notes
  • Contact Us

Research and Engagement

W110 Smith Building
814-949-5768

HOURS
Monday–Friday
8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Research and Teaching at Penn State Altoona

An online magazine highlighting research, teaching, scholarship, and creative activity

Read It Now

See Also

  • Academic Affairs
  • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
  • Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Fair
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State's campuses with Penn State Altoona highlighted

Penn State Altoona

A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 21 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors.
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • flickr
  • linkedin
Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • College Leadership
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-Class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Center for Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • International Student Services
    • Housing
    • Parking
    • Police and Safety
    • Career Services
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
  • Research & Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Community-Based Studies
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
    • Schedule
    • Facilities
    • Recreation and Club Sports
    • Staff and Coaches Directory
    • Athletic Training and Sports Physicals
    • Athletics News
    • Camps and Clinics
    • Hall of Fame
  • Stay Connected
    • Faculty and Staff Directory
    • Offices and Divisions
    • Campus Calendar
    • PSUAlert Text Messaging Service
    • COVID-19 Information
    • Penn State Altoona Connect
    • Penn State Student Engagement Network
Penn State University
3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, Pennsylvania 16601 814-949-5000

Footer Legal Menu

  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Directory
  • The Pennsylvania State University © 2023
  • We Are Penn State