Qu Promoted to Associate Research Professor

May 3, 2018

PPEM Faculty member Dr. Xinshun Qu who has just been promoted from Assistant Research Professor to Associate Research Professor.

Plant biology symposium slated for June at University Park

May 2, 2018

Penn State will host world-renowned scientists as part of the 21st Penn State Plant Biology Symposium: Wild and Tamed Phytobiomes, set for June 19-22 in the Huck Life Sciences Building on the University Park campus.

Mercado Ties First Place for Course-Based Category at Undergraduate Exhibition

May 1, 2018

Students showcased their work at the 2018 Undergraduate Exhibition at the HUB-Robeson Center on April 18.

Alumni Spotlight: Jen Petrella, class of 2017

May 1, 2018

One year after graduating, Penn State alumna Jen Petrella is using her four-year degree to help fight cancer at the University of Pennsylvania.

Undergraduate Andrew May Receives Award at Phage Research Symposium

April 30, 2018

Innovative undergraduate research programs from Penn State and Gettysburg College came together this weekend at Lake Raystown to share experiences hunting phages from land and sea.

PPEM Faculty Member Dr.Alyssa Collins Hosts Flower Trials at SEREC

April 30, 2018

Each May, the expression "flower power" takes on a new meaning at Penn State's Southeast Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Manheim, Lancaster County, when an 85-year-old tradition -- the Penn State Flower Trials -- gets under way.

R. R. Nelson Memorial Speaker Series Hosts Dr. Steven Lindow

April 29, 2018

Steven E. Lindow, professor and executive associate dean for the College of Natural Resources at the University of California, Berkeley, was the guest speaker at the Richard R. Nelson Memorial Lecture Series, on April 23, 2018, in Buckhout Laboratory at Penn State's University Park campus.

Department Appoints Kaiser as Research Support Technologist for Mushroom Spawn Lab

April 26, 2018

The Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology recently appointed Edward Kaiser as Research Support Technologist for the Mushroom Spawn Lab. The position was previously held by Vija Wilkinson, who served the department for 30 ½ years.

Epidemiologists convene at Penn State to Build Research Relationships and Expand Educational Opportunities

April 23, 2018

Thanks to funds from the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology’s Francl Endowment, the program of Dr. Paul Esker hosted Drs. Sarah Pethybridge (Cornell University), Neil McRoberts (University of California-Davis), Pierce Paul (Ohio State University) and Peter Ojiambo (North Carolina State University) from April 16 to 20.

Lindow to speak at Richard R. Nelson Memorial Lecture Series

April 19, 2018

Steven E. Lindow, professor and executive associate dean for the College of Natural Resources at the University of California, Berkeley, will be the guest speaker at the Richard R. Nelson Memorial Lecture Series.

Harvey Successfully Defends Dissertation

April 16, 2018

Congratulations to Ph.D. candidate Robert Harvey for successfully defending his dissertation on Feb. 27.

Dr. Davis Mentioned in Town & Gown's Preserving Seeds of Knowledge

April 16, 2018

Donald Davis, professor in the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, has experienced this hands-on learning through workshops and interaction with Chamberlain to identify plants.

Doctoral student in plant pathology receives NSF research grant

April 13, 2018

Emma Rosenthal, a doctoral student in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, will be able to advance her research interests in plant pathology after receiving a grant from the National Science Foundation. The funding will support Rosenthal's research on bacterial leaf spot, a disease that infects lettuce plants.

Terrence Bell provides practical skills through ‘Learning to Apply R to Microbiome Data’ workshop

April 12, 2018

Dr. Terrence Bell, Assistant Professor of Phytobiomes in the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, hosted a two-hour workshop entitled Learning to Apply R to Microbiome Data on March 30th, 2018.

Plant pathology graduate student, professor recognized for teaching excellence

April 10, 2018

Two educators in the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences recently received recognition for their teaching.

PPEM Department Members Place in the 24th Annual Gamma Sigma Delta Research Expo

April 4, 2018

On March 27, 2018, the Penn State Chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta held its 24th annual research expo on the Huck Life Sciences Bridge followed by the Celebration of Excellence on March 29th held in partnership with the College of Agricultural Sciences.

PPEM Graduate Students Help Organize inaugural Global Gallery

March 20, 2018

Faculty and graduate students in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences illustrated how their research touches every corner of the world during the inaugural Global Gallery, a symposium hosted by the International Agriculture and Development dual-title graduate program (INTAD) and its student association.

Paul Esker teaches Agricultural Epidemiology at the Autonomous University of Mexico State

March 12, 2018

From February 26 through March 2, Dr. Paul Esker had the opportunity to visit the Autonomous University of Mexico State (la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, UAEM), where he presented an invited talk in the graduate seminar series, as well as a week-long workshop on agricultural epidemiology.

Former PPEM department head, Dr. Barbara Christ, recently spotlighted by alma mater for her M.S. Degree.

March 2, 2018

This is a nice reminder of why we will be celebrating her career with an upcoming retirement party on JUNE 16, 2018 (SAVE THE DATE). Announcements and instructions for registering for the event will be published here shortly.

Natali Ozber selected for the Harold F. Martin Graduate Assistant Outstanding Teaching Award

February 28, 2018

Natali Ozber Plant Biology PhD candidate and PPEM student was selected for the Harold F. Martin Graduate Assistant Outstanding Teaching Award from the Penn State Graduate School.

Graduate Assistantships Now Available for Fall 2018

February 15, 2018

Plant Pathology Graduate Research Assistantships are available for highly-qualified applicants. Apply by December 15 for full funding consideration.

Plant pathology students reap benefits of research opportunities

February 14, 2018

Helping undergraduate students understand scientific knowledge through participation in research is a top priority for faculty in the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

Teaching microbiome data analysis through student involvement in actual faculty research projects (PPEM 497)

February 12, 2018

Report from 2017-18 Teaching Transformation and Innovation Grant recipient Terrence Bell, Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology

Unique cohort will support student exploration of agricultural microbiomes

February 9, 2018

Faculty in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences are spearheading an initiative that will provide selected doctoral students with the opportunity for extensive study in the emerging field of agricultural microbiome research.

Zhao Passes Ph.D. Comprehensive Exam

December 20, 2017

Congratulations to Ph.D. candidate Kaixi Zhao for passing her comprehensive examination on December 20.

Martin Passes Oral Candidacy Exam

December 8, 2017

Congratulations to Phillip Martin who passed his doctoral oral candidacy exam on December 8.

Researchers Receive $950,000 to Develop Pest Controls for Organic Mushrooms

December 6, 2017

Dr. David Beyer is principal investigator on grant to develop organic management options for three most challenging mushroom pests.

Rosenthal Passes Oral Candidacy Exam

December 5, 2017

Congratulations to Emma Rosenthal who passed her oral candidacy exam on December 5.

Ozber Awarded CAS Graduate Student Competitive Grant

December 1, 2017

Natali Özber's proposal was selected for funding by College of Agricultural Sciences Graduate Student Competitive Grants Program.

Stephens Recognized for Outstanding Leadership by Penn State Ag Council

November 30, 2017

Jon Stephens, Plant Pathology minor, receives Penn State Agricultural Council's Youth Leadership Award.