Global mentoring program builds skills, international connections for students

December 1, 2022

Graduate students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences were offered mentorship through the college’s participation in the Global Challenges University Alliance 2030. The alliance, called GCUA, is a network of more than 15 universities worldwide with a shared vision of contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through international collaboration and research.

IST faculty, students develop digital solutions to help mushroom farmers

December 1, 2022

A team of researchers at Penn State is aiming to speed up and streamline the collection of important environmental data that impacts the mushroom farming industry through a new digital solution.

Kaminsky successfully defends thesis

November 30, 2022

Laura Kaminsky successfully defended their thesis on November 30, 2022

Northeast SARE Selects Aleman for 2022 Grant

November 15, 2022

Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (Northeast SARE) awards Max Aleman a 2022 Graduate Student Grant.

Faculty in College of Ag Sciences recognized for research achievements

November 8, 2022

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences lauded outstanding accomplishments in research during the college’s inaugural Research Awards Ceremony, held Oct. 25 at the Hintz Family Alumni Center on the University Park campus.

Latinx Agricultural Network earns national award for uplifting Latino community

November 7, 2022

The Latinx Agricultural Network in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has been lauded nationally for enhancing engagement with and support for Pennsylvania’s Latino agricultural community.

Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology to Welcome Assistant Professor in Global Change Pathology

October 30, 2022

Dr. Veronica Roman-Reyna will join Penn State’s Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology (PPEM) as a professor of Global Change Pathology on July 1, 2023.

Gugino named assistant dean for graduate education in College of Ag Sciences

October 7, 2022

Beth Gugino, professor of plant pathology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has been named assistant dean for graduate education in the college.

Bull steps down at Microbiome Center, looks forward to future innovation

October 3, 2022

After more than five years at the helm of Penn State’s Microbiome Center, founding director Carolee Bull has stepped down. Though she will continue serving as department head of plant pathology and environmental microbiology and as a professor of plant pathology and systematic bacteriology at Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, Bull has handed off leadership of the Microbiome Center to recent Penn State hire Seth Bordentstein.

Full circle on the farm: Penn State alum returns to help educate Pa. growers

September 28, 2022

When Penn State alum Sara Hricko first came to the University as an undergrad, she had every intention of graduating with a degree in mathematics. But one elective in the College of Agricultural Sciences ending up changing the course of her education, and eventually, her career.

Soybean virus may give plant-munching bugs a boost in survival

September 13, 2022

Most viral infections negatively affect an organism’s health, but one plant virus in particular — soybean vein necrosis orthotospovirus, often referred to as SVNV — may actually benefit a type of insect that commonly feeds on soybean plants and can transmit the virus to the plant, causing disease, according to Penn State research.

New dual-title graduate degree in microbiome sciences now available

August 31, 2022

Students interested in the study of microbiomes now can apply for the new microbiome sciences dual-title doctoral degree program, administered by Penn State’s Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

Department welcomes 2022 graduate student cohort

August 29, 2022

The Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences recently welcomed five new graduate students.

Alumnus-founded startup Phospholutions announces $5.3M investment

August 19, 2022

Hunter Swisher launched the fertilizer tech company as a student at Penn State.

Plant pathologist Donald Davis retiring from Penn State after more than 50 years

August 12, 2022

Donald Davis, professor of plant pathology and environmental microbiology, is retiring after a career spanning more than 50 years in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Podcast: Dr. Tree Fruit and Don - Mid-July Issues

July 14, 2022

In this 7th Fruit Bite, Kari Peter and Don Seifrit highlight the timing for leaf analysis, aphid control, and early harvest stone fruit disease control.

Above-ground microbial communities that quell plant diseases can be developed

July 11, 2022

Microbial communities naturally living on the leaves and stems of tomato plants can be manipulated to suppress diseases that reduce productivity, according to Penn State researchers, offering hope that growers someday can apply these mixtures of bacteria and fungi to protect plants and improve harvests.

Plant pathology graduate student orientation fall 2022

July 8, 2022

The Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences will hold several events during the week of August 17 to welcome new graduate students.

Podcast: Dr. Tree Fruit and Don - All About Bitter Rot

July 8, 2022

Kari Peter and Don Seifrit interview Phillip Martin, a former Ph.D. student of Peter's, who performed his work on bitter rot. Martin tells us all about the fungal cause of the disease and management techniques.

Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology welcomes assistant research professor of nematology

July 1, 2022

The Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences welcomed a new faculty member on July 1.

Podcast: Dr. Tree Fruit and Don - Yikes! Bitter Rot!

June 16, 2022

In this Fruit Bite, Kari Peter has a big disease update. She highlights bitter rot and bitter rot control. The bacterial spot of stone fruit gets the spotlight this week, too. Bacterial spot control is discussed.

2022 Disease Update: Prevent Bitter Rot on Apple

June 15, 2022

We have entered the time when bitter rot management on apples begins. Considering we have been experiencing frequent rain showers and very warm weather, these are ideal conditions for the bitter rot fungi to wreak havoc in the orchard.

Plant pathology graduate student receives prestigious research fellowship

June 14, 2022

Olanrewaju Shittu, a doctoral candidate in the Penn State Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, has been named a Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research Fellow for 2022-2025.

Plant pathology grad student receives NSF fellowship to study grapevine disease

June 13, 2022

A graduate student in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has received a three-year Graduate Research Fellowship from the National Science Foundation, valued at more than $100,000, to study how climate change is affecting diseases that rot grapes.

Penn State Extension mushroom disorder fact sheets now available online

June 8, 2022

Experts in mushroom disease in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have produced a series of factsheets to educate industry professionals on mushroom disorders.

Penn State Extension expands resources for growers at produce auctions

June 8, 2022

Penn State Extension is expanding a program that offers educational kiosks at produce auctions across the state. These kiosks provide growers with timely, relevant information on disease and pest identification and management, invasive species, and food safety.

Ehau-Taumaunu successfully defends thesis

June 7, 2022

Hanareia Ehau-Taumaunu successfully defended their thesis on June 7, 2022.

Podcast: Dr. Tree Fruit and Don - Orchard Highlights for Early June

June 6, 2022

In this fifth Fruit Bite, Kari Peter highlights codling moths and pheromone trapping, fire blight infections and tool cleaning and rosy apple aphid control.

Evans Family Award recognizes plant pathology graduate student

June 4, 2022

Emma Rosenthal, a doctoral candidate in plant pathology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has received the 2022 Evans Family Award for Graduate Student Extension Achievement for her contribution to extension education in Pennsylvania and beyond.

USDA grant to aid Penn State scientists in exploring postharvest fruit rot

May 26, 2022

Scientists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have received a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant of nearly $313,000 to study the effects of postharvest fruit decay.