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Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology

Message from the Bull Penn

Message from the Bull Penn
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RECENT GRADUATES
Undergraduate Program 
  • Amanda Grube
    Plant Pathology Minor
    B.S., Plant Sciences
AWARDS
2021 Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology awards ceremony. IMAGE: PENN STATE
2021 Department awards and scholarships recipients announced

The Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology announced its 2021 awards and scholarships recipients during their virtual awards ceremony on March 31. Continue reading...
Terry Torres-Cruz
Plant pathology, biogeochemistry graduate student receives Lewis and Clark award

Terry Torres-Cruz, a plant pathology and biogeochemistry graduate student in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, was selected as a recipient of the 2021 Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research grant. Continue reading...
Caylon Yates
Graduate student receives British Ecological Society award

Caylon Yates, a graduate student in the Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, has been selected as a recipient for the 2020-21 British Ecological Society award. Continue reading...
Penn State Shield
2021 Graduate Exhibition award winners announced

Forty-three graduate students received awards for their research and creative scholarship in the 36th annual Graduate Exhibition. A complete list of winners is available below. Continue reading...
Penn State Shield
Four honored for commitment to diversity in College of Agricultural Sciences

 Four individuals have received the 2021 Dr. William Henson Diversity Achievement Award from Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, an honor that recognizes distinctive and outstanding teaching, research, extension or creative work that advances diversity in the college. Continue reading...
PROMOTIONS
Old Main IMAGE: PENN STATE
Penn State announces academic promotions, effective July 1, 2021

The following tenured and tenure-line faculty in the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology have been promoted, effective July 1.
  • María del Mar Jiménez Gasco has been promoted to the rank of full professor
  • Paul Esker has been promoted to the rank of associate professor with tenure
  • Melanie Miller Foster has been promoted to the rank of associate teaching professor
RESEARCH
A Penn State-led team of scientists has developed a diagnostic test for early detection of citrus greening, a disease that causes green, misshapen and bitter citrus fruit — making it unmarketable and threatening the $3.35 billion U.S. citrus industry. IMAGE: DAVID BARTELS, USDA ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE
CRISPR/Cas technology could enable early diagnosis of devastating citrus disease

Penn State and U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists have used cutting-edge CRISPR/Cas technology to develop a diagnostic test that could enable early diagnosis of citrus greening, or Huanglongbing, a serious disease that threatens worldwide citrus production, which is valued at roughly $17 billion from the sale of fresh fruit and juices. Continue reading...
To determine forces that needed to be programmed into the robotic picker, researchers took mushroom-picking-dynamics measurements using force sensors and an inertial measurement unit.  IMAGE: PENN STATE
Researchers develop prototype of robotic device to pick, trim button mushrooms

Researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have developed a robotic mechanism for mushroom picking and trimming and demonstrated its effectiveness for the automated harvesting of button mushrooms. Continue reading...
EXTENSION & OUTREACH
Scott Isard, an aerobiologist in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, and his team created an internet-based monitoring and modeling system, the Integrated Pest Information Platform for Extension and Education Cooperative Agricultural Project, that can help growers monitor and anticipate pest problems and take appropriate action before crops are damaged. IMAGE: SCOTT ISARD
Innovative platform developed at Penn State monitors pests, predicts problems

Scott Isard, an aerobiologist in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, and his team created an internet-based monitoring and modeling system, the Integrated Pest Information Platform for Extension and Education Cooperative Agricultural Project, that can help growers monitor and anticipate pest problems and take appropriate action before crops are damaged. Continue reading...
D. Seifrit, Penn State Extension
Podcast: Dr. Tree Fruit and Don - Mid-Season Concerns and Weather Station Installation

Don Seifrit, Kari Peter, Greg Krawczyk and Rob Crassweller talk about what growers should be keeping an eye on during mid-season development, including the end of periodical cicadas for 2021. They also discuss how one should go about finding a weather station to install on-farm. Listen to podcast...
Plant pathologists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences can diagnose turfgrass diseases that impact home lawns, landscapes and golf courses. Shown is an example of extensive destruction of a golf course fairway caused by gray leaf spot disease. IMAGE: PENN STATE
Cutting edge: Clinics at Penn State help citizens, industry solve lawn problems

When the grass is not greener on your side of the fence, plant pathologists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences may be able to provide the information needed to bring your lawn back to life. Continue reading...
D. Seifrit, Penn State Extension
Podcast: Dr. Tree Fruit and Don - Thinning Advice and an Insect Extravaganza

Don Seifrit, Kari Peter, and Greg Krawczyk are joined by Dr. Jim Schupp (Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center) for the first time. Dr. Schupp is a pomology professor, and he highlights some of the most important considerations for spring thinning. Greg talks about the complex entomology issues facing PA this spring, and Kari discusses the fire blight concerns facing orchardists. Listen to podcast...
Marilyn J. Roossinck
Discover More: The Good Viruses

Professor and virologist Marilyn J. Roossinck discusses viruses in a recent interview with The Linnean Society of London. Continue reading...
Penn State Shield
Podcast discusses new HLB research

Podcast, My Ag Life in Citrus, talks with the head of new HLB research project and Professor at Penn State, Yinong Yang. Listen to podcast...
TEACHING
Buckhout Lockout: With many labs and other teaching facilities off-limits during the fall semester, Gretchen Kuldau (left) and María del Mar Jiménez Gasco provided homebuilt kits for mushroom growing, and sent their students into their backyards and parks for hands-on investigation. Photo: Cardoni
Ag Science Magazine Feature: Remote Connection

Going fully remote didn't prevent instructors of the popular Fungal Jungle: A Mycological Safari from Truffles to Slime Molds (PPEM 120) course from providing a unique learning experience to students. Gretchen Kuldau and María del Mar Jiménez Gasco provided homebuilt kits for mushroom growing and sent their students into their backyards and parks for hands-on investigation. Continue reading...
ALUMNI NEWS
Penn State alumnus Hunter Swisher, CEO of Phospholutions, credits his company's success to the resources and support he received from the Invent Penn State initiative and the University's entrepreneurial ecosystem.  IMAGE: PENN STATE
Startup's recent success tied to Penn State entrepreneurial ecosystem

In the past year, State College-based Phospholutions has grown from seven to 20 employees, and recently raised $10.3 million in venture capital funding to support the development and growth of its RhizoSorb soil-enhancement technology across market segments and expand to global markets. Continue reading...
Penn State Shield
Fruit farmers keep wary eye on weather

Penn State graduate, Sara Hricko, discusses how the weather affects their 90-acre farm that specializes in apples and peaches. Continue reading...
 
NEW FACULTY AND STAFF
IN MEMORIAM
Prince Tewfik Adil (T.A.) Toussoun
Department grieves loss of T.A. Toussoun

Our students, faculty and staff extend our sympathy to the family of Prince Tewfik Adil (T.A.) Toussoun, who died on April 3, 2021, at the age of 95. Continue reading...
FOOTBALL - AG ARENA PARKING
The College of Agricultural Sciences has a limited number of Ag Arena parking permits for home football games for volunteers, donors and advocates of the College as a small token of our appreciation for their support. 

Interested volunteers, donors and advocates should submit their name and home mailing address by July 16, 2021, if they would like the department to put their names forward. 
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