Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
WVU School of Nursing Partners With Johns Hopkins University to Expand Community Nursing Opportunities for Students
MORGANTOWN, West Virginia, Jan. 23 -- West Virginia University issued the following news:
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WVU School of Nursing partners with Johns Hopkins University to expand community nursing opportunities for students
West Virginia University will soon offer nursing students a new pathway for focusing on community nursing, allowing them to make a difference outside the hospital setting by improving access to care and promoting wellness in schools, homes, health departments and elsewhere.
Through a partnership starting this fall, the WVU School of Nursing is launching a rural counterpart to Johns
... Show Full Article
MORGANTOWN, West Virginia, Jan. 23 -- West Virginia University issued the following news:
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WVU School of Nursing partners with Johns Hopkins University to expand community nursing opportunities for students
West Virginia University will soon offer nursing students a new pathway for focusing on community nursing, allowing them to make a difference outside the hospital setting by improving access to care and promoting wellness in schools, homes, health departments and elsewhere.
Through a partnership starting this fall, the WVU School of Nursing is launching a rural counterpart to JohnsHopkins University School of Nursing's "Inside Outside" program, which aims to empower nurses to meet patients where they are, drive health equity across all settings and champion the shift toward whole-person, community-based care.
"We see this program as an innovative and exciting pathway for nursing students who want to become health care leaders in community settings," said Tara Hulsey, WVU School of Nursing Dean and E. Jane Martin Endowed Professor.
WVU nursing faculty Tina Antill Keener, Danielle McGinnis and Angel Smothers spearheaded the effort after learning about the program at JHU.
"Inside" is the traditional academic structure, such as classroom, skills lab, etc., McGinnis explained. "Outside" is the immersive community clinical experience.
"We like taking on big challenges in nursing education," said Robert "Bob" Atkins, executive vice dean of the JHU School of Nursing. "We're excited to partner, co-create, collaborate and share knowledge with the WVU School of Nursing."
Students in the "Inside Outside" track will follow the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing curriculum and participate in classroom and simulation experiences alongside their peers throughout the program. The primary distinction for "Inside Outside" students is that, starting in the junior year, their clinical placements will occur in community settings, where they will be paired with a preceptor.
McGinnis will serve as the track coordinator to ensure all clinical objectives are met. Certain specialty courses -- such as mental health, pediatrics, critical care and obstetrics -- will require "Inside Outside" students to complete a portion of their clinical hours in hospital settings.
Starting with the Fall 2026 semester, students admitted to the WVU School of Nursing will be invited to apply for the track at the end of their first sophomore semester. Eight students will be selected through an interview process. During the interview, applicants must explain their motivation for pursuing the track and provide faculty recommendation letters. Additionally, students must have reliable transportation to and from their assigned community sites.
"One of our biggest strengths is already having an amazing set of sites," McGinnis said. "We can really tap into those to provide some excellent educational opportunities for our students."
During an on-site visit, Atkins and JHU nursing students shared best practices and success stories with the WVU School of Nursing team, including one student who became a leader among their peers after enrolling with the "Inside Outside" track, highlighting how well the program can motivate students interested in a community pathway.
Faculty also note the program will help meet the WVU land-grant mission by educating and training expert health care providers for community settings throughout the state, especially in the rural and underserved regions that need them most.
Find more information about the WVU School of Nursing (https://nursing.wvu.edu/).
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Original text here: https://wvutoday.wvu.edu/stories/2026/01/22/wvu-school-of-nursing-partners-with-johns-hopkins-to-expand-community-nursing-opportunities-for-students
Virginia Tech: Hidden Dangers of Nanoplastics
BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Jan. 23 (TNSjou) -- Virginia Tech issued the following news:
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The hidden dangers of nanoplastics
By Felicia Spencer
Human health risks from direct consumption of toxic nanoplastics are already scary, but researchers have confirmed that nanoplastics in water give rise to an additional threat: They strengthen bacteria.
In a recent study published in Water Research, Virginia Tech's Jingqiu Liao and a group of international researchers found that nanoplastics' interactions with environmental microbes may pose indirect dangers to people, specifically by way of water
... Show Full Article
BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Jan. 23 (TNSjou) -- Virginia Tech issued the following news:
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The hidden dangers of nanoplastics
By Felicia Spencer
Human health risks from direct consumption of toxic nanoplastics are already scary, but researchers have confirmed that nanoplastics in water give rise to an additional threat: They strengthen bacteria.
In a recent study published in Water Research, Virginia Tech's Jingqiu Liao and a group of international researchers found that nanoplastics' interactions with environmental microbes may pose indirect dangers to people, specifically by way of watersystems.
"It is very important to better understand the adverse effects of the nanoplastics on human health, and not just in humans but also in the environment, which indirectly influences human health," said Liao, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering. "The nanoplastics can make the antimicrobial-resistant pathogens better survive, which could be harmful to the environment and would have public health implications."
In the study, the authors note this resistance to disinfectants has the potential to create great challenges for water treatment and distribution systems.
"When the nanoplastics interact with the biofilm and the bacteria inside them, they can strengthen the biofilm and make it more resistant to any kind of measures that are going to keep the water clean," said Liao, who is also an affiliate with Fralin Life Science's Global Change Center.
Nanoplastics are a subset of microplastics and include particles ranging in size from roughly one to 1,000 nanometers, all of which are too small to be seen by the naked eye. The researchers looked at the effects nanoplastics have on the biofilm formation in drinking water systems.
Biofilms are communities of different bacteria that attach to surfaces, such as water pipes, and form a protective matrix that shields them from environmental stress. In some locations, biofilms can be beneficial, removing potentially harmful elements, but in drinking water distribution systems, they can be hazardous to humans.
According to Liao, this is rooted in the pathogenic nature of certain bacteria within biofilms as well as the fact that bacteria are also hosts to bacteriophages, which are viruses. How these potentially problematic microorganisms interact with nanoplastics was largely unknown prior to the study.
"The primary process that we were particularly interested in is how the bacteria and the bacteriophages interact with each other during the process when the nanoplastics influence the biofilm as a whole," said Liao, also an affiliate with the Fralin Life Sciences Institute's Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens.
Liao's expertise with microbial ecology and metagenomic analysis made her ideal for the study. She's published studies on the role of soil in the spread of antibiotic resistance and recently won a Scaling Scholarship Award through the College of Engineering's Major Grants Initiative related to her work on the Nature Communications publication, "Differential roles of deterministic and stochastic processes in structuring soil bacterial ecotypes across terrestrial ecosystems."
Liao said the researchers discovered that when the biofilm composed of E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa is exposed to nanoplastics, several responses from the bacteria are triggered:
* Different bacteria "talk" with each other and secrete substances that make the biofilm thicker, heavier, and more protective.
* Prophages -- phages that integrate their own genomes (DNA) into their bacterial hosts' genomes -- are activated, destroying the bacterial cells they live in and creating many new virus particles.
* Bacteria fight the prophages using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) of DNA or RNA cells to target them as an antiviral defense system.
In the study, the authors conclude that "the increased mechanical strength of the biofilm and its resistance to the disinfectants highlight a potential challenge for water treatment and distribution systems, as nanoplastics may increase the formation of difficult-to-eradicate biofilms on the surface of some water treatment and distribution systems."
Liao believes more research is needed to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the ecological responses of complex multispecies biofilms to nanoplastics. She also suggests that the size of the plastics matters. She points out that microplastics, which are larger than the nanoplastics, may have different effects on the bacteria-phage interactions within the biofilm.
"Overall, our findings provide novel insights into the interplay between nanoplastics and bacterium-phage dynamics, highlighting increased microbial risks associated with waterborne nanoplastics," Liao said.
Other researchers in the study include the following:
* Haibo Wang, associate professor, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
* Hui Chen, associate research fellow, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
* Chujin Ruan, postdoctoral fellow, environmental microbiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dubendorf, Switzerland
* Cory Schwarz, postdoctoral fellow, civil and environmental engineering and Rice WaTER Institute, Rice University, Texas
* Baoyou Shi, professor, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
* Pedro J.J. Alvarez, professor, civil and environmental engineering and Rice WaTER Institute, Rice University, Texas
* Pingfeng Yu, postdoctoral fellow, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Original study: doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2025.124712
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Original text here: https://news.vt.edu/articles/2026/01/dangers-of-nanoplastics-jingqiu-liao.html
University of Nevada: Endowment Gives Economic Geology Program a Boost
RENO, Nevada, Jan. 23 -- The University of Nevada issued the following news:
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New endowment gives economic geology program a boost
Proceeds from a land sale will support the Ralph J. Roberts Center for Research in Economic Geology
By Michelle Werdann, '21
In 2018, Charlotte Branham and Suzanne ("Suzi") Decker '71 (Home Economics - Extension) made a unique gift to the University of Nevada, Reno to honor the lives and legacies of their late husbands, Alan Branham and Donald J. Decker '72 M.S. (Geology). As the owners of Wonder Minerals, a mineral exploration company focused on the western
... Show Full Article
RENO, Nevada, Jan. 23 -- The University of Nevada issued the following news:
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New endowment gives economic geology program a boost
Proceeds from a land sale will support the Ralph J. Roberts Center for Research in Economic Geology
By Michelle Werdann, '21
In 2018, Charlotte Branham and Suzanne ("Suzi") Decker '71 (Home Economics - Extension) made a unique gift to the University of Nevada, Reno to honor the lives and legacies of their late husbands, Alan Branham and Donald J. Decker '72 M.S. (Geology). As the owners of Wonder Minerals, a mineral exploration company focused on the westernUnited States, Charlotte and Suzi donated more than 6,500 acres of land in the Wonder Mining District with a clear and intentional purpose: to support the future of economic geology through the Ralph J. Roberts Center for Research in Economic Geology (CREG).
The donors structured the gift so the University could sell the land and use the proceeds to create an endowed faculty position within CREG. The gift reflected not only generosity, but also the deep personal and professional ties that Donald and Alan shared with Nevada, the mining industry and the University.
Donald Decker earned his master's degree in geology from the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering in 1972. He went on to build a distinguished career in mining, founding multiple companies and acquiring a lease from the University to operate the Marigold Mine. Donald remained committed to the Mackay School, serving on its executive advisory board for 16 years and helping guide the next generation of geologists.
Alan Branham spent 20 years as a geologist with Newmont Gold Mining Company before becoming president and CEO of Midway Gold Corp. He later founded American Vanadium Corp. and played a key role in the discovery of several major gold deposits along Nevada's Carlin Trend.
In 2011, Donald and Alan partnered to form American Innovative Minerals (Wonder Minerals is a subsidiary of American Innovative Minerals), which included the Wonder Mining District property that would ultimately become the transformational gift to CREG. After Donald's passing in 2012, Alan led the company until his own passing in 2015. Since then, Suzi Decker and Charlotte Branham have managed and sold company assets, culminating in the donation in 2018 of the Wonder Mining District property to the University of Nevada, Reno.
"Don and Alan are perfect examples of the impactful and successful exploration geologists that we strive to develop at CREG," said Simon Jowitt, former director of CREG and current Nevada State Geologist. "Their legacy will certainly enable the education of numerous economic geologists well into the future."
The Wonder Mining District, located adjacent to Naval Air Station Fallon, sold in mid-2025 to the U.S. Navy for just over $6 million. After settling remaining fees, $5.5 million is being allocated to provide CREG faculty and student support. While Suzi and Charlotte originally intended the gift to establish an endowed chair position, the sale price made an even greater impact possible. The University instead chose to endow the CREG director position.
"This is the first endowed director position we've had at the University, which speaks to the significance of this gift," Leigh Fitzpatrick, development director for the College of Science, said.
The endowment will generate more than $240,000 annually, giving the CREG director flexible resources to support faculty recruitment, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, research travel, fieldwork, equipment and innovative research initiatives.
"This gift was an act of vision by the families," Fitzpatrick said. "It supports the next generation of explorers and leaders in economic geology while giving back to the Silver State where Donald and Alan found so much opportunity."
CREG itself stands as a testament to generosity and partnership. Established in 1996, the program brings together the Mackay School, Nevada's mining industry and the U.S. Geological Survey. Its founding donor, Ralph J. Roberts, moved his endowed program from Harvard University to the University of Nevada, Reno after Harvard ended its economic geology program. Roberts' groundbreaking research contributed to the discoveries of both the Carlin and Marigold mines -- work that Donald and Alan would later help advance.
"The generosity of the Decker and Branham families ensures that CREG will remain one of the most impactful economic geology programs in the United States," Jowitt said. "Their gift will support new generations of students and researchers for decades to come."
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Original text here: https://www.unr.edu/nevada-today/news/2026/creg-endowment
UAlbany Expands Global Collaboration During Visit to India, Launches Strategic Partnership With Ramaiah University
ALBANY, New York, Jan. 23 -- SUNY University at Albany issued the following news:
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UAlbany Expands Global Collaboration During Visit to India, Launches Strategic Partnership with Ramaiah University
By Amy Geduldig
The University at Albany developed new international academic and research collaborations during a multi-city visit to India last week, highlighted by the launch of a new strategic knowledge partnership with Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences (RUAS).
UAlbany President Havidan Rodriguez, Provost Carol H. Kim, Vice President for Research and Economic Development Thenkurussi
... Show Full Article
ALBANY, New York, Jan. 23 -- SUNY University at Albany issued the following news:
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UAlbany Expands Global Collaboration During Visit to India, Launches Strategic Partnership with Ramaiah University
By Amy Geduldig
The University at Albany developed new international academic and research collaborations during a multi-city visit to India last week, highlighted by the launch of a new strategic knowledge partnership with Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences (RUAS).
UAlbany President Havidan Rodriguez, Provost Carol H. Kim, Vice President for Research and Economic Development Thenkurussi"Kesh" Kesavadas and a delegation of campus leaders traveled to Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru to build new academic, research and industry collaborations. During the week-long visit, the group met with leadership, faculty and students from local schools, innovation partners and UAlbany alumni.
"For more than 180 years, the University at Albany has been a leader in academic and research excellence and throughout that time we have prioritized international engagement, even welcoming our first international student to campus in 1877. The collaborations we have established and expanded in India build upon that legacy. They strengthen the connection between our countries and cultures, reflecting a shared mission to prepare engaged global citizens who are ready to lead and serve in an interconnected world. I am grateful to our partners across India for their collaboration," said Havidan Rodriguez, President of the University at Albany.
President Rodriguez's visit to India builds on a multi-year, international strategy to develop academic and research partnerships and workforce collaborations--an effort that began two years ago, when he led a UAlbany delegation to India. During that trip, he met with RUAS to discuss opportunities in microelectronics, artificial intelligence, public health, cybersecurity and environmental sustainability. RUAS later visited UAlbany, helping lay the foundation for the expanded partnerships announced this month.
A global partnership that combines academic excellence with societal impact
In Bengaluru, UAlbany and Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences (RUAS) formalized a long-term partnership to collaborate on engineering education, advanced skills development, faculty and student exchange, joint capstone projects, curriculum co-design and translational research.
The partnership emphasizes future-facing fields including semiconductors, very large-scale integration (VLSI) design, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence and applied sciences.
A flagship element of the collaboration is the joint development of a BTech program in VLSI Design & Technology at RUAS, benchmarked against UAlbany's internationally recognized strengths in nanoscale engineering. The collaboration will support curriculum development, laboratory planning, faculty training and ongoing academic review, aligning the program with global standards and industry needs. It is expected to roll out in phases this year, with early initiatives in curriculum development, faculty engagement, student projects and innovation-led industry partnerships.
"UAlbany is committed to mission-driven global partnerships that combine academic excellence with societal impact," Rodriguez said. "UAlbany's collaboration with Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences brings together education, research and innovation to address real-world challenges while preparing students for leadership in advanced technology domains."
"This partnership reflects a shift from episodic international engagements to a mature knowledge alliance," said Dr. M. R. Jayaram, Chairman of the Ramaiah Group and Chancellor of RUAS. "Our intent is co-creation -- of curricula, talent, and translational capability -- aligned to India's national priorities and global technological trajectories. The collaboration with University at Albany strengthens RUAS's ambition to be a globally connected, industry-relevant applied sciences university."
During the visit to RUAS, President Rodriguez also attended the inauguration of the Dassault-Ramaiah Innovation Centre, established in partnership with Dassault Systemes. The center will support collaborative student projects, faculty research and workforce-aligned training.
Expanding learning and research opportunities
The UAlbany delegation met also with campus leaders, faculty and students at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad), RV University of Applied Sciences in Bengaluru, Vidya Prasarak Mandal's Polytechnic in Thane and Smt. Sulochanadevi Singhania School. In addition to signing memorandums of agreement with IIT Bombay and IIT Hyderabad, the group discussed academic pathways, student mobility, joint research initiatives and long-term collaboration models designed to expand learning and research opportunities in both countries.
The delegation also engaged with industry and innovation leaders to explore partnerships aligned with research, education and workforce needs, including advanced technologies, digital health and entrepreneurship, with a focus on translating academic research into real-world impact.
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Original text here: https://www.albany.edu/news-center/news/2026-ualbany-expands-global-collaboration-during-visit-india-launches-strategic
Penn State Law School: Professor Andrea J. Martin Participates in Law Faculty Trip to Israel
CARLISLE, Pennsylvania, Jan. 23 -- Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law issued the following news:
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Professor Andrea J. Martin participates in law faculty trip to Israel
The delegation included 23 law and interdisciplinary faculty from leading institutions nationwide
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Professor Andrea J. Martin was selected to participate in the Academic Engagement Network's (AEN) inaugural delegation of U.S. law faculty to Israel in November 2025--a highly selective initiative recognizing the pivotal role legal educators play in shaping how future lawyers understand ethics, equality,
... Show Full Article
CARLISLE, Pennsylvania, Jan. 23 -- Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law issued the following news:
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Professor Andrea J. Martin participates in law faculty trip to Israel
The delegation included 23 law and interdisciplinary faculty from leading institutions nationwide
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Professor Andrea J. Martin was selected to participate in the Academic Engagement Network's (AEN) inaugural delegation of U.S. law faculty to Israel in November 2025--a highly selective initiative recognizing the pivotal role legal educators play in shaping how future lawyers understand ethics, equality,discrimination, and the rule of law. The program underscores the importance of informed academic leadership in addressing antisemitism and anti-Israel bias on campus and in broader public discourse.
The delegation included 23 law and interdisciplinary faculty from leading institutions nationwide, including Harvard University, Cornell University, Penn State Dickinson Law, Duquesne University, the University of Missouri, Northwestern University, Northern Arizona University, Florida International University, and Colorado State University. Participants engaged in an intensive series of briefings and site visits across Israel, meeting with Israeli legal scholars, jurists, civil society leaders, activists, policymakers, and thought leaders.
During the visit, the group toured key legal and governmental institutions--including the Israeli Supreme Court and the Knesset--as well as universities and non-governmental organizations. These engagements offered critical insights on constitutional law, civil rights, democratic resilience, and the role of legal systems in responding to crisis and conflict.
Martin will integrate insights from this experience into her teaching and scholarship and contribute to informed dialogue within the academic community. In addition, Martin reflected on the delegation in a published essay in the Times of Israel, sharing lessons on resilience, faith, and moral clarity drawn from her interactions in Israel: "Dancing Through Darkness: What Israelis Taught Me About Faith, Resolve, and Choosing Joy."
AEN's Faculty Against Antisemitism Movement (FAAM), launched after October 7, empowers AEN faculty members, as well as other academics who choose to get involved, to stand against antisemitism, the denigration of Jewish identity, and anti-Israel bias on their campuses and to collectively urge university leaders to take appropriate action. More than 25,000 faculty nationwide have become active in FAAM over the last year.
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Professor Andrea J. Martin's research encompasses constitutional law, anti-discrimination law, and the study of historical and contemporary antisemitism. Through her scholarship in the emerging field of Jewish Law and Policy, she develops legal frameworks and advances strategies to influence legal, governmental, and institutional policies to combat antizionism and other contemporary forms of Jew-hatred and protect civil rights.
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Original text here: https://dickinsonlaw.psu.edu/news/professor-andrea-j-martin-participates-in-law-faculty-trip-to-israel
Pedrina to Represent LC State, Conference at National Academy
LEWISTON, Idaho, Jan. 23 -- Lewis-Clark State College issued the following news release:
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Pedrina to represent LC State, conference at national academy
CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) has announced Raymond Pedrina of Lewis-Clark State College as its representative for the NAIA Governance and Leadership Academy (GLA). The event will be held on April 10 in Kansas City, Missouri.
"Congratulations to Raymond on his selection to represent the CCC at the upcoming NAIA Governance Leadership Academy," Commissioner Robert Cashell stated. "There is no doubt that he will
... Show Full Article
LEWISTON, Idaho, Jan. 23 -- Lewis-Clark State College issued the following news release:
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Pedrina to represent LC State, conference at national academy
CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) has announced Raymond Pedrina of Lewis-Clark State College as its representative for the NAIA Governance and Leadership Academy (GLA). The event will be held on April 10 in Kansas City, Missouri.
"Congratulations to Raymond on his selection to represent the CCC at the upcoming NAIA Governance Leadership Academy," Commissioner Robert Cashell stated. "There is no doubt that he willadd a great perspective to the Academy as a former standout NAIA student-athlete and now as an administrator in the LC State athletic department, while also gaining valuable insight from peers around the association."
Participants gain hands-on exposure to NAIA committee involvement while building leadership and professional skills.
"I am excited for Ray to attend the NAIA Governance Academy and represent both LC State and the Cascade Conference," said LC State Athletic Director Jim Klemann who nominated Pedrina for the opportunity. "Ray is a servant leader on our campus and a champion for our student-athletes' experience. This experience will be one of learning and growth, and I am excited to see his continued development in the NAIA and higher education."
Pedrina is an LC State baseball alumnus. He earned his bachelor's degree in kinesiology with minors in exercise science and business administration from LC State in the spring of 2018 and recently graduated in the fall with his master's degree in physical education with an emphasis in athletic administration from Idaho State University. He currently serves as assistant athletic director for marketing and promotions.
"Being selected for the GLA is both an honor and a responsibility that I do not take lightly. It affirms my commitment to continued growth as an administrator and reinforces my desire to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of intercollegiate athletics," said Pedrina.
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Original text here: https://www.lcsc.edu/news/2026/01/22/pedrina-to-represent-lc-state-conference-at-national-academy
CUNY: Science Spotlight - From the Lab to Lift-Off
NEW YORK, Jan. 23 -- The City University of New York Graduate Center issued the following news:
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Science Spotlight: From the Lab to Lift-Off
Distinguished Professor Steven Greenbaum's work in energy storage, and his dedication to mentoring, propels students to fellowships, faculty roles, and NASA internships.
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Distinguished Professor Steven Greenbaum (GC/Hunter College, Chemistry, Physics, Nanoscience) and a team of researchers based at Hunter College and City College recently received a five-year, $5 million grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to help identify
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Jan. 23 -- The City University of New York Graduate Center issued the following news:
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Science Spotlight: From the Lab to Lift-Off
Distinguished Professor Steven Greenbaum's work in energy storage, and his dedication to mentoring, propels students to fellowships, faculty roles, and NASA internships.
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Distinguished Professor Steven Greenbaum (GC/Hunter College, Chemistry, Physics, Nanoscience) and a team of researchers based at Hunter College and City College recently received a five-year, $5 million grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to help identifynew ways to store energy in the harsh environment of space. As with most aerospace research, the discoveries are likely to find their way back to earth in innovations that improve everyday living.
While the work is exciting, Greenbaum is equally thrilled about the impact it will have on CUNY students who are interning on the project.
"The best part here is that our students will get a front-row seat," he told Hunter College when the grant was announced in 2024.
Learn More About the Ph.D. Program in Physics (https://www.gc.cuny.edu/node/490)
Greenbaum is spending this academic year at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he last was in 1997 and 1998 to help design lithium-ion batteries for the Mars Exploration Rovers, to conduct his latest research and supervise several CUNY student interns.
Greenbaum is known for his research on energy storage -- a hot area in an age of climate change, electric vehicles, and proliferating space exploration. But, alongside the science, mentoring students is one of his great joys. It has become a hallmark of his career, and in 42 years, he has made a deep impact.
To date, he has mentored over 30 Ph.D. students, 24 postdocs, and numerous undergraduates.
"I regard mentoring students, both undergraduate and graduate, as the most fulfilling thing that I do," he said. "Of course, I love the science too, but the way that exposure to science research can change the professional and life trajectories of my students is what really helps me sleep at night."
In 2002, he received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring from the White House and the National Science Foundation.
In 2016, he won the Distinguished Scientist Award from the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) in recognition of his teaching and mentoring. Graduate Center alumnus Armando Rua (Ph.D. '14, Physics), whom Greenbaum mentored, nominated his professor.
Now Rua is a physics professor at the University of Puerto Rico/Mayaguez. In 2023, he received a prestigious $1.25 million Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation grant for his materials science research.
Rua remembers Greenbaum recruiting him to the Ph.D. program during a trip to Puerto Rico, "convincing me," Rua said, "when no other university could."
"From my first day in New York, he guided me through classes, qualifiers, and thesis work with dedicated support," Rua said. Greenbaum fostered camaraderie in his lab, "teaching resilience and collaboration that shaped my research approach," Rua added. "His lessons drive my lab's successes and the motivation we give our students."
Graduate Center alumnus Eugene Mananga (Ph.D. '05, Physics), a professor at the Graduate Center and Bronx Community College, was both mentored by Greenbaum but has won similar mentoring honors: the 2025 Presidential Award in Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring and the 2024 Distinguished Mentor Award from SACNAS.
Mananga called Greenbaum "an extraordinary mentor whose guidance combined intellectual rigor with genuine care."
"His ability to inspire curiosity and foster independence shaped my academic journey profoundly," Mananga said. "Through his mentorship, I learned not only the science but also the art of perseverance and innovation, which became the foundation of my trajectory."
Among Greenbaum's many mentoring accomplishments, one stands out -- having mentored two physicists in the same family, a generation apart.
He co-supervised Graduate Center alumnus J.R.P. Jayakody (Ph.D. '93, Physics), now a faculty member at the University of Kelaniya. Years later, Greenbaum mentored Jayakody's daughter, Nishani, who graduated in 2022 with a Ph.D. in Physics.
Nishani recently secured a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, and she credited her position to Greenbaum's guidance.
Greenbaum, in turn, said, "I cannot describe in words how fulfilling it is to be the Ph.D. mentor of father and daughter, and what a unique experience it has been for me."
"I always counsel prospective Ph.D. students to seek an adviser -- not necessarily me -- who has a reputation for looking out for their students," Greenbaum said. "In my judgment, this is more important than the actual dissertation topic because it can make the difference between an unhappy experience that can lead to changing groups or leaving the program and successful pursuit of the Ph.D."
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Original text here: https://www.gc.cuny.edu/news/science-spotlight-lab-lift
