Our newest faculty members—Belén Noroña, Zhenlong Li, Dani Aiello, and Victoria Nimmo—have completed their first year with Penn State Geography. They discuss their most memorable experiences, new projects they are passionate about, and what makes the department special. They also share some of their hobbies outside of work and offer recommendations for hidden gems around State College. Read on to learn more about their first-year journeys.
Belén Noroña
What new initiatives or projects did you start this year that you’re particularly excited about?
As soon as I arrived at the department, I was able to network with other institutes and departments across campus and move forward with initiatives that protect the Amazon rainforest, particularly in Ecuador. As a result, I enable collaborations between Penn State and Indigenous youth and elders interested in protecting critical regions in the Amazon. I have built a relationship with the Environmental Engineering Department to combine environmental science and Indigenous traditional knowledge, empowering efforts to protect the Yasuni National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Being part of the department has also allowed me to build bridges between faculty working on climate change adaptation and policy at the multilateral level with Indigenous women and girls experiencing its effects near extractive frontiers.
What aspect of Penn State’s Geography Department are you most proud of?
I am proud of adding to our department’s efforts to make Geography a discipline that has the potential to impact policy and environmental advocacy and justice at multiple levels, including our classrooms and labs. Our current mission encourages a culture of listening, working with communities, and on-the-ground initiatives to solve timely problems. This includes bringing these skill sets and experiences into our classrooms. Many of our undergraduate students get to access fieldwork experience as early as their second year, along with an ethos that revolves around justice, equity, and compassion.
Zhenlong Li
What was the most rewarding/memorable experience you had during your first year in the department?
The most rewarding experience during my first semester at Penn State Geography has been the incredible support I received from the department staff during my transition. Transferring a number of grants to Penn State was a complex process, but their assistance made it seamless. They offered tremendous help to set up my office and lab, including furniture purchases, painting, and computer configurations. Their guidance in navigating departmental policies and procedures, such as travel arrangements, was invaluable. This strong support network has made my transition smooth and has been a testament to the department’s welcoming and collaborative culture.
What hobbies or interests have you pursued outside of your academic work this year?
This year, I developed a passion for biking. State College offers numerous biking trails, and Tussey Mountain Trail has become one of my favorites due to its stunning views and great ridge riding. Biking has been a fantastic way for me and my family to explore the area and stay active. It’s an outdoor activity I highly recommend to newcomers looking to experience the natural beauty and recreational opportunities in and around State College!
Dani Aiello
What new initiatives or projects did you start this year that you’re particularly excited about?
This past October, I attended the 9th ICCG (International Conference of Critical Geography) in Mexico City—and through a small grant and some of my own research resources, I was able to begin new collaborations with housing colleagues and tenant organizers there. This allows me and several of my other collaborators in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Vancouver, and Detroit to make our housing justice network a much more continental and diverse effort—and I am really looking forward to learning from the housing justice movement there.
Have you discovered any hidden gems in State College that you’d recommend to newcomers?
Definitely the outdoors—there is so much to explore all year long, and one of my favorite times to hike is during the winter. Alan Seeger Natural Area and Wykoff Falls Run both really stand out. Also, the smash burgers at the Reedsville Creamery.
Victoria Nimmo
What new initiatives or projects did you start this year that you’re particularly excited about?
I’m currently working on a new class for fall 2024, which will focus on field methodologies and experiment design, and I’m very excited for it! Getting to bring students outside to develop hands-on skills is something I’m very focused on.
What hobbies or interests have you pursued outside of your academic work this year?
I’ve tried to embrace the hilly landscape and get more into trail running this past year, I’ve loved how many trails are so nearby and accessible with just a short drive.