Penn named Institute on the Environment resident fellow

Associate Professor of Chemistry R. Lee Penn has been named a resident fellow of the University of Minnesota's Institute on the Environment (IonE). She is among 14 faculty members from 13 departments and eight colleges/schools, including four from the College of Science & Engineering (CSE), to receive this honor.

Representing a broad range of disciplines, the new fellows join 32 others in taking on the task of building bridges across disciplines to solve environmental challenges. The fellowships also help accelerate professional and leadership development.

Penn begins her three-year appointment with IonE this month. She will maintain her appointment in the Department of Chemistry, but will receive additional funding to pursue projects that cross disciplinary boundaries.

Penn intends to build collaborations with faculty in microbiology, civil engineering, and other fields and organize scientific conference presentations related to advancing understanding of the impact of nanotechnology on microorganisms and other ecologically relevant life forms.

"Our emphasis with this program is to give exceptional faculty the jump-start they need to break through barriers to collaboration and seek 'outside the box' environmental solutions through synergy," said IonE Director Jonathan Foley. "These eclectic thinkers and doers were chosen for their creativity and willingness to try new ideas. We're thrilled to welcome them to the Institute."

The Department of Chemistry is part of the College of Science & Engineering. For additional information, visit the CSE's website.