Penn State awarded grant for workforce development for Spanish-speaking farmers

December 10, 2024

The Extension Foundation’s AgriProspects Workforce Development Network recently awarded Penn State Extension a competitive mini-grant to support its “Success Skills in Spanish 4 Ag” project, which focuses on workforce development for Spanish-speaking tree-fruit growers and poultry farmers.

College of Ag Sciences celebrates faculty, staff achievements in research

December 10, 2024

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences celebrated another year of outstanding success and accomplishments in research during the 2024 Research Awards Ceremony, held Nov. 19 at the Hintz Family Alumni Center on the University Park campus.

Q&A: How do microbiomes influence the study of life?

November 14, 2024

Microorganisms — bacteria, viruses and other tiny life forms — may drive biological variation in visible life as much, if not more, than genetic mutations, creating new lineages and even new species of animals and plants, according to Seth Bordenstein, director of Penn State’s One Health Microbiome Center within the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences.

A Note from Neeli: Penn State at the forefront of microbiome research

November 13, 2024

At Penn State’s award-winning One Health Microbiome Center, faculty and students are collaborating to improve human, agricultural and environmental health. With over 540 members, 125 faculty and 160 graduate students from 42 departments across 10 colleges at Penn State, the center is one of the crown jewels of interdisciplinary excellence in the University's research enterprise.

Fungi Futures exhibition showcases work of Stuckeman architecture researchers

October 15, 2024

Three projects from researchers in the Penn State Stuckeman School that focus on the use of mycelium, the root of fungus, as sustainable architectural components are featured in the “Fungi Futures: Exploring Mycelium in Product Design and Crafts” exhibition in the gallery of the (con)Temporary CRAFTS STUDIO in Bremen, Germany.

In photos: Internships prepare students for career success

October 1, 2024

Baking in the test kitchens at The Hershey Company. Studying the effects of space weather on satellite communication with NASA. Working on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., as a congressional intern. Planning events at the Arboretum. These activities are just a few of the many experiential learning and professional development opportunities that Penn State students gained through internships this summer.

Q&A: Using a new approach to shine a light on hidden plant microbes

October 1, 2024

An approach called metagenomics — a type of DNA sequencing — may help scientists learn more about the microbes that affect plants, according to Penn State researchers.

One Health Microbiome Center launches new video series

September 30, 2024

The One Health Microbiome Center announced the launch of a new video series highlighting the use of the center's state-of-the-art resources, research capabilities and collaborative efforts in microbiome sciences.

College of Ag Sciences doctoral student wins national foundation award

September 4, 2024

Ram Neupane, a doctoral student in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, received a $10,000 research award given by the Storkan-Hanes-McCaslin Foundation.

Research teams receive $1.1 million to study microbiomes in agriculture

August 28, 2024

Two Penn State-led research teams have received funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture for projects investigating the ways microbiomes — the microorganisms in a particular environment, such as in soil or a living organism — can affect disease dynamics in agriculture.

Grants will provide real-world learning experiences for College of Ag students

July 30, 2024

Penn State's Engaged Scholarship and Experiential Learning Seed Grant Program, offered through the University's Institute for Sustainable Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Science, has awarded five teams funding to help students apply skills they are learning in class to meet the needs of an external partner or stakeholder. 

Architecture professor receives grant to study 3D-printed sustainable materials

June 3, 2024

With the support of a seed grant from the Materials Research Institute, an interdisciplinary Penn State team is working with researchers at the University of Freiburg in Germany to explore the durability and strength of sustainable 3D-printed building components made with mycelium, the root of fungus. 

College of Ag Sciences faculty, extension leader engage in leadership program

April 22, 2024

Two Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences faculty members and an assistant director with Penn State Extension recently furthered their knowledge of leadership principles by completing the LEAD21 leadership development program, a national yearlong program to develop leaders in land-grant institutions and their strategic partners who link research, academics and extension and can navigate an increasingly complex environment to lead more effectively in their current or future leadership positions. 

Yellow-eyed grasses may have more insect visitors than previously thought

April 11, 2024

A team led by Penn State researchers published the first documentation of arthropods that visited yellow-eyed grasses in Guyana, a South American country where species of the plant are most diverse.

Fungi into the Future

January 29, 2024

Mushrooms, and specifically the common white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, are big business in Pennsylvania. The state grows almost two-thirds of all Agaricus produced in the United States. Penn State’s leadership in research and education has shaped and supported the industry since its beginnings. In recent years, however, mushroom-related research at Penn State has expanded, fungus-like, across departments and even colleges into new and surprising areas, from food science to environmental clean-up to architecture and design.

College of Ag Sciences recognizes faculty, staff for research achievements

November 21, 2023

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences lauded outstanding accomplishments in research during the 2023 Research Awards Ceremony, held Nov. 1 at the Hintz Family Alumni Center on the University Park campus.

$7M grant funds project to develop new ways to protect mushroom crops

November 16, 2023

A new grant for more than $7 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture will fund an upcoming project led by Penn State researchers, who aim to develop new pest management tools for mushroom crops.

Plant pathologist to research plant diseases in organic vegetables

October 24, 2023

Sharifa Crandall, a plant pathologist in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has received support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to study plant diseases in organic vegetable operations.

Gugino to enhance impact of agricultural research in new role in Ag Sciences

October 1, 2023

A longtime faculty member and research leader in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences will serve in the newly created role of associate director of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station. The Agricultural Experiment Station is the college's umbrella organization for managing and reporting state and federally funded research.

Penn State professor elected to Mycological Society of America leadership

September 12, 2023

David M. Geiser, professor of mycology in the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, was elected to the executive leadership of the Mycological Society of America, where he will serve successive terms as vice president, president-elect, president and past president over the next four years.

One Health Microbiome Center honors creativity and mentoring with award series

September 7, 2023

The One Health Microbiome Center (OHMC) in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State has named eight recipients for its 2023-24 Inaugural Award Series, which reflects on a profound year of impacts and achievements and recognizes the talents of the OHMC community.

One Health Microbiome Center's 2023-24 Interdisciplinary Innovation Fellows

August 22, 2023

The One Health Microbiome Center in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State has named five recipients for its 2023-24 Interdisciplinary Innovation Fellowships program, which aims to promote collaborative training opportunities for center members and research development.

Penn State faculty member elected to plant pathology society leadership

August 2, 2023

Carolee Bull, professor of systematic bacteriology and plant pathology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has been elected to the presidential lineage of the American​ Phytopathological Society.

Under the canopy: Penn State researchers study beech leaf disease in PA forests

June 22, 2023

Researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences are studying the effects of beech leaf disease, spearheading efforts to learn more about the disease and how to combat it.

Penn State international agriculture students explore careers at the capital

May 22, 2023

A group of Penn State undergraduate students recently traveled to the nation’s capital to meet with governmental and nonprofit leaders in the international agricultural sector. The visit was an opportunity to learn about current issues from those actively working in the industry.

Penn State student awarded prestigious NSF grant for nematology research

May 17, 2023

Mariah Kidd, a Penn State student earning her master’s degree in plant pathology in the College of Agricultural Sciences, recently was awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program grant for her research in nematology.

Penn State doctoral student receives prestigious agriculture research fellowship

May 8, 2023

Theo "Chelsea" Newbold, a doctoral student in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, has been awarded the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research Fellowship for 2023–26.

2023 Undergraduate Exhibition welcomed 237 participants

April 28, 2023

A total of 237 Penn State undergraduates presented during the Undergraduate Exhibition from April 10-12, showcasing their research, projects and performances during a virtual and in-person event.

Penn State Global announces 2022-23 faculty, staff, student awards

April 7, 2023

Penn State Global has announced the 2022-23 recipients of its annual awards that recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals and academic programs at Penn State who have helped to advance the University’s global engagement goals.

Thirteen graduate students honored with Alumni Association Dissertation Award

April 6, 2023

Thirteen graduate students received the Alumni Association Dissertation Award, one of the most prestigious awards given to Ph.D. candidates at the University. The award was made possible through a gift from the Penn State Alumni Association and provides funding and recognition to outstanding full-time research doctorate students who have passed their comprehensive examinations and have received approval of their dissertation topic.