Postdoctoral scholar joins Bull Lab

January 21, 2021

The Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology welcomes new postdoctoral scholar, Raymond García-Rodríguez, who joined the Bull Lab earlier this month.

Feral colonies provide clues for enhancing honey bee tolerance to pathogens

January 19, 2021

Understanding the genetic and environmental factors that enable some feral honey bee colonies to tolerate pathogens and survive the winter in the absence of beekeeping management may help lead to breeding stocks that would enhance survival of managed colonies, according to a study led by researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

Doctoral student awarded Distinguished Graduate Fellowship

January 14, 2021

Rachel Herschlag, a doctoral student in the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has been selected as one of the recipients of the 2020-21 Distinguished Graduate Fellowships.

Postdoctoral scholar joins Esker Lab

January 7, 2021

The Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology welcomes new postdoctoral scholar, Felipe Dalla Lana, who joined the Esker Lab in November.

Instructors, students tackle challenges of fall mixed-mode learning environment

December 16, 2020

While Penn Staters may have had some time to adjust to pandemic life for the fall 2020 semester, there were still many challenges to overcome as students and instructors worked through the limitations of a mixed-mode learning environment.

College of Agricultural Sciences announces 2020 Staff Laureate Award winners

December 3, 2020

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences announced recipients of its 2020 Staff Laureate Awards during a recent virtual collegewide staff meeting.

Kaminsky Passes Ph.D. Comprehensive Exam

November 30, 2020

Congratulations to Ph.D. candidate Laura Kaminsky for passing her comprehensive examination.

The Soil Blooms Green

November 12, 2020

In this podcast, Terry Bell, assistant professor of phytobiomes, and Mary Ann Bruns, associate professor of soil microbiology and biogeochemistry, discuss their work on soil surface consortia with Genome Insider host Alison Takemura. They discuss why these consortia might be of interest to farmers, as well as how their interactions with other microorganisms in the environment could influence their activity.

Ehau-Taumaunu Passes Ph.D. Comprehensive Exam

November 11, 2020

Congratulations to Ph.D. candidate Hanareia Ehau-Taumaunu for passing her comprehensive examination.

A Disturbing Twinkie That Has, So Far, Defied Science

October 28, 2020

Penn State plant pathology alumnus Matt Kasson attempts to culture fungi from eight-year-old Twinkie.

'Fungal Jungle' course continues to be hands-on learning despite virtual format

October 21, 2020

Students in “PPEM 120: The Fungal Jungle” are meeting virtually for class, but that hasn’t stopped their professors from ensuring that popular hands-on activities — such as growing oyster mushrooms or enjoying a fungal feast — didn’t fall by the wayside.

Two plant pathology graduate students awarded NIFA pre-doctoral fellowships

October 20, 2020

Two graduate students in the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology received pre-doctoral fellowships from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

Graduate students receive grants from Northeast SARE

October 16, 2020

The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) program selected proposals of four plant pathology graduate students for the 2020 Graduate Student Grant Awards. SARE offers competitive grants to projects that explore and address key issues affecting the sustainability and future economic viability of agriculture.

Graduate student in bioinformatics & genomics receives FFAR Fellow Award

October 15, 2020

Jeremy Sutherland, a graduate student in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences and the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, was one of 23 recipients to receive the 2020 Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) Fellow Award.

Penn State Extension’s Tree Fruit Production Guide wins national award

October 14, 2020

A publication created by Penn State Extension has been lauded for excellence by the American Society for Horticultural Science, a national organization dedicated to advancing all facets of horticultural research, education and application.

Felix Lukezic, professor emeritus of plant pathology, dies at 87

October 13, 2020

Felix L. "Luke" Lukezic, professor emeritus in the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, died in late September at the age of 87.

Plant pathologist at Penn State to aid NASA study on pathogen dispersal

October 8, 2020

A plant pathologist in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences is supporting a multi-institutional research project designed to help track the spread of a plant pathogen.

Behind the Leaf: Plant Virus Expert Marilyn J. Roossinck Adds to Picture of Viral Nature

September 25, 2020

Professor and virologist Marilyn J. Roossinck joins Finding Genius Podcast to discuss the roles viruses have played in evolution to shape us and how evolution and adaptation have shaped viruses; fascinating examples, such as how insects work in the transmission of plant viruses; and surprising functions, such as how the cucumber mosaic virus results from three separate viral particles that infect together to form the genome capable of infection.

Maíra Duffeck successfully defends thesis

September 23, 2020

Maíra Duffeck successfully defended her thesis on September 23, 2020.

18 new NSF graduate researchers join the ranks at Penn State

August 31, 2020

Eighteen students were named National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) recipients for the 2020-21 academic year. These 18 students join 65 prior recipients continuing in the University’s graduate degree programs through the Graduate School in the Eberly College of Science, College of Agricultural Sciences, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, College of Engineering, College of Health and Human Development, and the College of the Liberal Arts, as well as, the Intercollege Graduate Degree Programs.

Bull elected fellow of American Phytopathological Society

August 24, 2020

Carolee Bull, professor of systematic bacteriology and plant pathology in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, has been elected as a fellow of the American Phytopathological Society, an honor given to members in recognition of distinguished contributions to the discipline of plant pathology.

Research helps explain source of pathogen that causes bitter rot disease

August 13, 2020

A new way of looking at the fungal pathogen, Colletotrichum fioriniae, as a leaf endophyte — bacterial or fungal microorganisms that colonize healthy plant tissue — was the outcome of a two-year study conducted by researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Penn State Microbiome Center and GALT enter collaboration to advance research

August 4, 2020

The Penn State Microbiome Center and General Automation Lab Technologies announced their collaboration to advance plant pathology, environmental microbiology and human gut microbiome studies.

VIRUSES: Why do we need them?

July 31, 2020

Professor and virologist Marilyn J. Roossinck discusses good viruses on TRT World's Roundtable.

Plant pathologist receives grant to develop disease management tools for wheat

July 21, 2020

Paul Esker, a plant pathologist in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has received a $455,000 grant from the U.S Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to support a five-year integrated research and extension project designed to improve management recommendations for wheat.

Department grieves loss of Charles Peter 'Pete' Romaine

June 29, 2020

Our students, faculty and staff extend our sympathy to the family of Charles Peter 'Pete' Romaine, who died on June 26 at the age of 70. While Romaine retired from Penn State in 2012, his research continues to positively impact the mushroom industry in the U.S.

Wheatley successfully defends thesis

June 10, 2020

Matthew Wheatley successfully defended his thesis on June 9, 2020.

Plant sciences student finds new ways to cultivate goodwill in her community

June 9, 2020

For Amanda Grube, quarantining at her family’s farm in Manheim, Pennsylvania, gave her a lot of time to think about past summers and how this year’s coronavirus would impact her community. To ease the strain a little for her friends and neighbors, Grube has started an informal community garden and a free library, all while completing a virtual internship and staying in touch with her sorority sisters.

Hinshaw Passes Ph.D. Comprehensive Exam

June 8, 2020

Congratulations to Ph.D. candidate Chauncy Hinshaw for passing his comprehensive examination.

Virus Diversity Dependent on Host: Marilyn Roossinck Discusses Her Research

June 8, 2020

Professor and virologist Marilyn J. Roossinck describes her work and interesting elements of virus behavior. Roossinck tells listeners why plant viruses became the focus of her research, what she’s learned about the host impact on virus diversity and how her work on persistent plant viruses has changed how she conceives of the larger virus community.