From New Jersey Business: Community Energy and Princeton University’s Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment announced a joint academic-industry research partnership to study the U.S. energy transition and identify an optimal buildout plan for scaling carbon-free power over the next decade to meet climate challenges.https://bit.ly/2QkRCvr

From SPIA:

The poor are perceived to be “hardened” by negative events and therefore less harmed by them than those with more means, even when this is patently false, according to a series of studies published by Princeton University researchers. https://bit.ly/32hsc7N Additional coverage from Fast Company: Princeton researchers just exposed the most pervasive and harmful myth about poverty

From SPIA: Researchers at Princeton University will receive a $9-million grant from the National Institute of Health to conduct an innovative study on heart health, genetics, and social determinants among vulnerable children in 12 cities across the United States.https://bit.ly/3geH63r

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced funding for a new Physics Frontier Center, hosted at the University of Rochester, with Princeton co-principal investigators Adam Burrows, professor of astrophysical sciences, and Tom Duffy, professor of geosciences, to study the physics and astrophysical implications of matter under extreme pressures and temperatures.https://bit.ly/3l9T2qO

Princeton professor Leonard Wantchekon is bringing his experience building academic pipelines in Africa to universities in the United States. This month, he announced a new partnership between ASE and Hunter College in New York City that, through a collaboration with Princeton University, will take direct aim at the underrepresentation of Black and minority students in the field of economics.https://bit.ly/3gkKLNp

From ROI-NJ: The article notes that Princeton did not accept an appropriation and is requesting that any money it was intended to receive go to institutions in greater financial need.https://bit.ly/2Yoh33J

From TrentonDaily: Mercer County Community College and Upward Bound, MCCC’s educational program for Trenton high school students, partnered with Princeton University’s Materials Academy to teach students about developing their own apps, which they used to showcase their work.https://bit.ly/2EpnnRD

From Town Topics: Storefronts throughout Princeton will display a rotation of artworks from the Princeton University Art Museum thanks to the new “Art for the Streets” program. Stephen Kim, the museum’s associate director for communications and information, said the idea is to fill the empty windows by making use of the museum’s diverse collection. The first round is being funded by the museum.https://bit.ly/34kpnVZ

From Town Topics: The article mentions a community-focused longitudinal study related to COVID-19, being led by a Princeton University research team. The data collected from this study will help draw a more accurate picture of the number of infectious cases, even among people showing no symptoms, and get a better sense of the antibody response at the individual and the community level.https://bit.ly/32bprVz

When the pandemic dashed dreams of traditional summer internships, the University helped students pivot to internships that are 100% digital. These opportunities span academic disciplines; others include a service component.https://bit.ly/31fjA2b

Olga Russakovsky, an assistant professor of computer science, has been recognized with two early-career awards from organizations that promote diversity in technical fields. The awards honor her contributions in research, education and outreach. https://bit.ly/32183Tq

A Princeton team has developed a class of light-switchable, highly adaptable molecular tools with new capabilities to control cellular activities. The antibody-like proteins, called OptoBinders, allow researchers to rapidly control processes inside and outside of cells by directing their localization, with potential applications including protein purification, the improved production of biofuels, and new types of targeted cancer therapies. https://bit.ly/2EcBWYw

Princeton’s Graduate School has launched a new pre-doctoral fellowship, which will fund students to study at Princeton for a year before they enroll as first-year Ph.D. students. Students from groups historically underrepresented in higher education are especially encouraged to apply for the new fellowship, which is among University efforts to increase diversity on campus and within academia. https://bit.ly/2Yu7D79

Princeton University is launching a comprehensive asymptomatic COVID-19 testing protocol for on-campus students, faculty, researchers and staff members as part of our public health plan to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Asymptomatic testing — which is for individuals not currently experiencing symptoms — will be required for members of the University community who are physically on campus for at least 8 hours per week. The cost of testing will be paid by the University.https://bit.ly/2EeLv9k

Even as Princeton’s students deal with the unprecedented challenges COVID-19 has created in their personal and academic lives, many remained committed to fostering a spirit of civic engagement within the University community during this presidential election year. For example, the Vote100 campaign is working with communities across campus to encourage civic engagement in all forms. Sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students and led by students, Vote100 plans voter registration drives, campus-wide debate watch parties, assistance with absentee ballot voting, Election Day celebrations, and social media campaigns to encourage others to engage civically in elections and democratic processes locally, nationally, and internationally. Other Tigers have taken up similar causes: from recruiting young poll workers and providing voter resources, to advocating against gerrymandering. Keep reading for these and more stories of Princetonians working “In the Nation’s Service…” 

Stay safe and healthy.
Michael Hotchkiss, Ayana Gibbs, Jess Fasano, and Ben Chang

Princeton’s vital research across the spectrum of environmental issues is today and will continue to be pivotal to solving some of humanity’s toughest problems. Our impact is built on a long, deep, broad legacy of personal commitment, intellectual leadership, perseverance and innovation. This article is part of a series to present the sweep of Princeton’s environmental excellence over the past half-century.https://bit.ly/2PR4nxB

Politics&Polls: The GOP went from full control in only three state governments in 1992 to 26 in 2018. How did the party achieve such rapid success on the state-level? Political scientist Matt Grossmann joins Julian Zelizer in this week’s episode to discuss the rise of the modern conservative movement, its grassroots origins, and its state legislature strategy. https://bit.ly/3271OgX

From The Daily Princetonian: Though just one part of anti-racist activism, reading Black authors and supporting Black-owned bookstores have allowed people across the nation to engage more deeply with the movement. From student organizers and alumni activists to nearby bookstores, many in the University community are incorporating reading into their activism. https://bit.ly/33ZdzZ7