ISS Faculty Research Fellows & Graduate Student Fellows

ISS is excited to announce the launch of its new Faculty Research Fellows and Graduate Student Fellows programs in 2025. These initiatives aim to strengthen PSU's sustainability research community by fostering collaboration, providing professional development opportunities, and supporting impactful scholarship that advances a more resilient and sustainable future.

The Faculty Research Fellows program is designed to engage active PSU faculty researchers in sustainability-related disciplines. Fellows will gain access to unique networking opportunities within and beyond PSU, potential funding for ISS projects, and support for proposal writing and research collaborations. Faculty Fellows are expected to contribute to ISS research efforts during their three-year fellowships, which may include submitting research proposals or joining ISS-funded projects. The inaugural cohort so far includes 11 faculty members from a range of disciplines (see list at right).

The Graduate Student Fellows program invites graduate students from a variety of PSU programs to join the ISS research community. Open to students conducting sustainability-related research, the program offers networking, professional development, and research collaboration opportunities. Graduate Fellows will remain active throughout their studies by participating in at least one ISS event per year, including symposia, networking events, or professional workshops. The first cohort features 18 exceptional students representing disciplines ranging from mechanical engineering and civil engineering to sociology and urban planning.

Together, these programs exemplify ISS’s commitment to fostering a dynamic and collaborative research ecosystem at PSU. By supporting faculty and student scholars, ISS is advancing its mission to tackle critical sustainability challenges and cultivate the next generation of leaders in sustainability science and practice. 

For information on our Fellows programs, contact Paul Loikith.

ISS Faculty Research Fellows:

Randy Bluffstone, Economics
Alida Cantor, Geography
Sahan Dissanayake, Economics
Jonathan Fink, Geology
Elliott Gall, Mechanical & Materials Engineering
Andres Holz, Geography
Martin LaFrenz, Geography
Amy Lubitow, Environmental Sciences & Management
Catherine McNeur, History
Pronoy Rai, Geography

ISS Graduate Student Fellows:

Isaac Ball, Geography
Tatjana Beck, Geography
Alex Bentley, Environmental Sciences & Management
Siiri Bigalke, Environmental Sciences & Management
Ryan Bixler, Mechanical Engineering
Thien-Kim Bui, Environmental Sciences & Management
Carlyse Cheshier, Environmental Sciences & Management
Ana Tijerina Esquino, Civil Engineering
Laura Fleming, Urban & Regional Planning
Zachary Golden, Mechanical Engineering
Justin Huber, Environmental Sciences & Management
Amy Johnson, Geography
Parker Malek, Geography
Himani Ojha, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics
Arielle Sherbak, Geography
Rachel Springer, Sociology
Brett Stinson, Mechanical Engineering
Lillian Weaver, Environmental Sciences & Management