Penn State Harrisburg research enterprise sees record growth, measurable impact

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Penn State's research enterprise exceeded $1.44 billion in research expenditures in fiscal year 2024-25 - marking another year of record University-wide growth - and Penn State Harrisburg made crucial contributions to that momentum. Building on the strength of the University's expanding research impact, the college reached its own record levels of productivity this year, contributing $9.8 million in research expenditures, a 32% increase over the previous year. This investment has been fueled by a combination of external and internal investment.

Research expenditures are commonly understood as indicators of a university's commitment to innovation and its ability to compete nationally and internationally for the resources that support such work.

This has underscored the college's expanding influence within the University's research ecosystem and its increasing impact on Central Pennsylvania and beyond, according to Penn State Harrisburg Chancellor David M. Callejo Pérez.

"Penn State Harrisburg is proud to be a part of Penn State's overarching commitment to advancing research that benefits Pennsylvania and the world at large. This year's growth reflects not only the strength of our faculty, staff and student-led projects, but also our strategic investment in innovative equipment, facilities and interdisciplinary collaboration," Callejo Pérez said. "Our growth signals a deepening role in driving innovation for the region, including strengthening local industries, supporting the needs of our surrounding communities and preparing the next generation of researchers."

Research investment at the college spans critical areas - from social and behavioral health and STEM innovation to environmental protection, education and community resilience. Together, these projects address some of the most pressing community needs, according to Callejo Pérez.

Among this year's standout projects:

• A $4.5 million award from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to expand the Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center through 2029: The Recycling Markets Center is a nonprofit organization based at Penn State Harrisburg that helps create new uses for recycled materials and supports recycling businesses across the state. The center works with companies, communities and educators to turn recyclable materials into valuable products. Through this work, the center helps protect the environment, support local jobs and strengthen Pennsylvania's $22.6 billion recycling economy.

• A $355,500 major research instrumentation grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation to acquire a state-of-the-art scanning electron microscope (SEM). The new instrument is the only one of its kind in Pennsylvania's capital region. The SEM will enable high-resolution imaging and elemental analysis for advanced studies in areas such as solar energy, additive manufacturing, solid-state batteries and cellular physiology. Researchers at the college said it will transform research, education and outreach across disciplines including engineering, materials science, biology, chemistry, and medicine by providing hands-on training and research opportunities for students, enhancing collaborations with regional industries, and supporting STEM engagement through K-12 programs and community partnerships.

• A $282,770 award from the Office of Naval Research to enhance the Signal Integrity Laboratory with the purchase of a high-end instrument to research next-generation connectivity. Signal integrity is the engineering field that analyzes high-speed electrical interconnects - structures that connect device elements - with the overall goal of improving the design, reliability and performance of digital systems.

• A $100,000 award through the AIM-AHEAD Program for Artificial Intelligence Readiness program, funded by the National Institutes of Health, to establish a research lab focused on using artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve health care access and outcomes.

• Multiple projects sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to advance education, workforce development and disaster resilience initiatives.

These research efforts are making a tangible difference - improving public health, supporting educators and families, advancing workforce readiness and building a more sustainable future, according to Callejo Pérez.

"By strengthening our research infrastructure, expanding laboratories and encouraging collaborative approaches, we are preparing our students with hands-on experiences that reflect the challenges they will solve in the real world," Callejo Pérez said. "This helps us drive the regional economy forward while contributing to national and global solutions. This continued investment underscores our mission to turn knowledge into action. From addressing the needs of Central Pennsylvanians to contributing to global scientific advancement, Penn State Harrisburg is expanding what is possible through research."