UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Institute of Energy and the Environment (IEE) has recognized eight Penn State researchers for outstanding contributions to energy and environmental research, scholarship and mentorship. Selected through nominations from across the Penn State community, the awardees are honored for their collaborative, interdisciplinary work and their commitment to mentoring students and colleagues.

This year’s recipients are Rahman Azari, Ashmita Bhattacharya, Sven Bilén, José Pinto Duarte, Tamy Guimarães, Konstantinos Papakonstantinou, Aleksandra Radlińska and Gordon Warn.

Bruce Logan, director of IEE, said the awards reflect the collective impact of research that crosses disciplinary boundaries and advances solutions to complex global challenges.

“These researchers exemplify the collaborative spirit and innovative thinking that drive meaningful progress in energy and environmental research,” Logan said. “Their work not only advances knowledge but also strengthens Penn State’s role as a leader in interdisciplinary research and partnership building.”

Advancement of Knowledge Award

Recipients: Ashmita Bhattacharya, doctoral student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; Konstantinos Papakonstantinou, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering; and Gordon Warn, professor of civil and environmental engineering

The Advancement of Knowledge Award recognizes a team whose efforts on a topic within one of the five IEE research themes have led to an outstanding peer-reviewed article that represents a significant scientific advancement. Bhattacharya, Papakonstantinou and Warn accepted the award on behalf of the team for their study, “Optimal life-cycle adaptation of coastal infrastructure under climate change,” which reframes climate risk management as a dynamic, data-informed decision-making problem, using advanced modeling to guide adaptive coastal strategies over time under uncertainty. The study was recognized because it provides an important, alternative framework for climate adaptation that moves beyond static approaches and helps communities make cost-effective, flexible decisions over time in response to evolving and uncertain climate conditions. The study has received substantial recognition through science communication platforms, social media outlets and citations. Other Penn State researchers on the study include Chris Forest, professor of climate dynamics; Lauren McPhillips, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering; and Digant Chavda, doctoral student in civil engineering.

Translational Research Award

Recipients: José Pinto Duarte, professor of architecture; Sven Bilén, professor of electrical engineering; and Aleksandra Radlińska, professor of civil and environmental engineering

The Translational Research Award is given to a team of two or more Penn State faculty researchers whose collaborative, interdisciplinary research efforts have benefited society. Duarte, Bilén and Radlińska accepted the award on behalf of their team that developed and applied sustainable 3D concrete printing technology to build durable, customized homes using low-carbon, recycled and locally sourced materials, while reducing construction time, cost and waste. Their effort, Affordable Housing Through Additive Construction, was recognized for translating this innovative research into meaningful real-world impact, including 3D-printing homes in extreme environments and with local nonprofit partners, advancing sustainable construction practices and fostering regional economic development. Other Penn State researchers on the team include Ali Memari, professor and Bernard and Henrietta Hankin Chair in Residential Building Construction, architectural engineering; and Nathan Brown, associate professor of architectural engineering.

Research Guidance Award

Recipients: Rahman Azari, associate professor of architecture; and Tamy Guimarães, assistant professor of mechanical engineering

The Research Guidance Award recognizes a faculty member’s efforts in demonstrably helping a pre-tenured or non-tenured faculty member through collaborative partnership. Through ongoing mentorship and collaboration, Azari and Guimarães have jointly explored a new interdisciplinary research trajectory at the intersection of digital twins, indoor air quality and decarbonization, grounded in conceptual guidance, shared student mentoring, and collaborative scholarship. This partnership was particularly impactful in enabling Guimarães to successfully launch an IEE-aligned research program, resulting in peer-reviewed publications, funded projects, integrated student mentoring and a lasting expansion of her early-career research portfolio into climate- and environment-focused domains.

The awards process was guided by IEE’s Awards Committee, which is led by Hannah Wiseman, associate professor of law. The committee members for this year’s awards were Ying Gu, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology; Siela Maximova, research professor of plant science; and Sanjay Srinivasan, professor of energy and mineral engineering.