Family of ag engineering alumnus creates lasting legacy with naming opportunity

February 14, 2020

For generations, the Thomas family has placed a high value on education resulting in numerous degrees, a great majority of which were earned at Penn State. Now, to give back to the University that so positively impacted their lives, the wife and children of the late Lloyd E. Thomas, a 1961 University alumnus in agricultural engineering, have named the Lloyd E. Thomas Family Department Head Suite in the renovated Agricultural Engineering Building.

Engineering professor named director of the Penn State Center for Biodevices

February 13, 2020

Mary Frecker, professor of mechanical and biomedical engineering at Penn State, has been named the Riess Chair in the College of Engineering.

Green tea extract combined with exercise reduces fatty liver disease in mice

February 13, 2020

The combination of green tea extract and exercise reduced the severity of obesity-related fatty liver disease by 75% in mice fed a high-fat diet, according to Penn State researchers, whose recent study may point to a potential health strategy for people.

Holstein steers that get hormone implants perform as well as implanted beef cows

February 13, 2020

Holstein steers that get hormone implants grow faster than those that do not receive the implants, and they get as big as beef cattle breeds, according to Penn State researchers, who say that's good news for dairy farmers struggling to keep their operations financially viable.

Forest soils release more carbon dioxide than expected in rainy season

February 12, 2020

Current carbon cycle models may underestimate the amount of carbon dioxide released from the soil during rainy seasons in temperate forests like those found in the northeast United States, according to Penn State researchers.

Penn State No. 1 US producer of faculty Fulbright Scholars for 2019-20

February 10, 2020

Penn State has been recognized as the top U.S. producer of faculty Fulbright Scholars for 2019-20 by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. In addition, the University is listed as a top producer of student Fulbright recipients.

New WPSU podcast highlights Penn State researchers' work, community impact

February 10, 2020

A new podcast that highlights the work of Penn State researchers and how their findings impact communities near and far is now available through central Pennsylvania’s public media station.

Penn State Extension workshop focuses on quality of sheep and goat meat products

February 6, 2020

Are you curious about meat-quality characteristics and how to improve the meat produced by your sheep or goats? Would you like to learn more about how to add value to meat products produced by your farm? Find out more at the Sheep and Goat Meat Quality and Value-Added Products Workshop.

Land-use webinar to focus on creating affordable housing in communities

February 6, 2020

How communities can provide affordable housing will be the topic of a web-based land-use seminar offered by Penn State Extension at noon on Feb. 19.

Penn State, University of Freiburg announce virtual classroom award grantees

February 5, 2020

Penn State and the Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg have announced the selection of two proposals for a novel initiative in piloting an online classroom project between the two universities.

Executive director of the Student Farm Club reflects on her time at Penn State

February 4, 2020

Jessica Chou, a senior majoring in environmental resource management, has been an active member of the Student Farm Club since she was a freshman. She now is the executive director of the club.

All things considered, wooden pallets are more eco-friendly than plastic pallets

February 3, 2020

Weighing in on a debate that has raged for decades, Penn State researchers, after conducting a series of ultra-detailed comparisons, have declared that shipping pallets made of wood are slightly more environmentally friendly and sustainable than those made of plastic.

Tioga Valley Saddle Club creates lasting legacy with 4-H endowment, scholarship

January 31, 2020

To promote equine activities at both the 4-H and collegiate levels and ensure a lasting legacy, the Tioga Valley Saddle Club, also known as T.V. Saddle Club Inc., has established the Tioga Valley Saddle Club 4-H Horse Endowment and the Tioga Valley Saddle Club Scholarship in the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences.

Ag Alumni Society establishes scholarship for first-year students

January 31, 2020

Continuing a tradition of support for and commitment to students, the College of Agricultural Sciences Alumni Society at Penn State has created the College of Agricultural Sciences Alumni Society First-Year Scholarship.

USDA deputy undersecretary for food safety to speak at University Park on Feb. 6

January 30, 2020

Mindy Brashears, deputy undersecretary for food safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will be the speaker at the Penn State Department of Food Science seminar at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, in 252 Rodney A. Erickson Food Science Building on the University Park campus.

Emerging organic contaminant levels greatly influenced by stream flows, seasons

January 29, 2020

Flow rates and time of year must be taken into account to better understand the potential risks posed by emerging organic contaminants in rivers and streams, according to Penn State researchers who studied contaminant concentrations and flow characteristics at six locations near drinking water intakes in the Susquehanna River basin.

Mandela Washington Fellows continue to succeed after Penn State experience

January 29, 2020

In 2017 and 2018, Penn State hosted three young innovators as part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship. The fellowship empowers young African leaders through academic coursework, leadership training and network opportunities.

Group photography exhibition shines the spotlight on internship program

January 23, 2020

"Dojo," a group photography exhibition featuring works by Stephanie Swindle Thomas and her interns, ranging in age from 7 years old to 27 years old, will open at the Huntingdon County Arts Council with an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7. The show will feature a photograph by each participant from their personal practice to demonstrate the diversity of their style and subject matter. There also will be a portrait wall and a sales wall.

Study suggests U.S. households waste nearly a third of the food they acquire

January 23, 2020

American households waste, on average, almost a third of the food they acquire, according to economists, who say this wasted food has an estimated aggregate value of $240 billion annually. Divided among the nearly 128.6 million U.S. households, this waste could be costing the average household about $1,866 per year.

Penn State-Ingredion short course introduces the future of food science

January 23, 2020

The Penn State-Ingredion Plant-based Yogurt Alternative Short Course took place last fall and was deemed a success. During the two-day workshop, 31 attendees, hailing from 11 states and four countries, gained insight into the challenges of formulating plant-based yogurt alternatives, the breadth and functionality of plant proteins, and the nitty-gritty details of bringing a product to market.

Technology that destroys pests in wood moves closer to commercialization

January 21, 2020

A technology that uses dielectric heating and radio frequency energy to destroy destructive pests lurking within wood products is closer to reaching the marketplace after a recent commercial trial at Penn State’s University Park campus.

Persistent environmental contaminant changes the gut microbiome of mice

January 21, 2020

An industrial chemical — phased out since 2002, but previously used in stain and water-repellent products and firefighting foam — alters the gut microbiome of mice and could have implications for human health, according to an international team of researchers.

Center of Excellence in Industrial Biotechnology seeks seed grant proposals

January 21, 2020

The Center of Excellence in Industrial Biotechnology at Penn State has announced a new round of seed grant funding for interdisciplinary research, curricular development, or educational activities in the broad area of industrial biotechnology through its 2020 IMPACT Seed Grant Program. Full-time faculty, staff and students are eligible to apply; the application deadline is Feb. 7.

Insecticides becoming more toxic to honey bees

January 21, 2020

During the past 20 years, insecticides applied to U.S. agricultural landscapes have become significantly more toxic — over 120-fold in some midwestern states — to honey bees when ingested, according to a team of researchers, who identified rising neonicotinoid seed treatments in corn and soy as the primary driver of this change. The study is the first to characterize the geographic patterns of insecticide toxicity to bees and reveal specific areas of the country where mitigation and conservation efforts could be focused.

Novel composite antimicrobial film could take a bite out of foodborne illnesses

January 19, 2020

A novel composite film — created by the bonding of an antimicrobial layer to conventional, clear polyethylene plastic typically used to vacuum-package foods such as meat and fish — could help to decrease foodborne illness outbreaks, according to researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Penn State to host Study Abroad Week from Jan. 20 to 24

January 16, 2020

Penn State will host Study Abroad Week 2020 during the week of Jan. 20-24 on the University Park campus. Students who attend can learn more about the process of applying, what funding is available, and career enrichment opportunities; and meet other students who have gone abroad.

How anti-sprawl policies may be harming water quality

January 16, 2020

Urban growth boundaries, which aim to decrease negative impacts on people and the environment, can have a reverse effect on water quality, according to a Penn State researcher.

Scientists examine potential economic impact of spotted lanternfly in PA

January 15, 2020

If not contained, the spotted lanternfly potentially could drain Pennsylvania’s economy of at least $324 million annually and cause the loss of about 2,800 jobs, according to a study carried out by economists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

College of Agricultural Sciences to participate in Study Abroad Week

January 13, 2020

The benefits of studying abroad range from expanding students’ world views to helping them find a career after graduation. Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences will join the University's Office of Global Programs to showcase education-abroad opportunities during Study Abroad Week, slated for Jan. 20-24 at the University Park campus.

Distinguished professor of ichthyology making 50th trip to Africa to study fish

January 9, 2020

When Jay Stauffer made his first trip to Lake Malawi in 1983, just before joining the faculty in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, he never dreamed that the trip would be the genesis of his career focus and that it would yield valuable partnerships for the University.

Media Contacts

  • Senior Public Relations Specialist/News Editor
  • Associate Director of Communications
  • Public Relations Specialist/Science Writer
  • Science and News Writer
  • Penn State Extension Writer (Marketing Communications Specialist)

Media Contacts

  • Senior Public Relations Specialist/News Editor
  • Associate Director of Communications
  • Public Relations Specialist/Science Writer
  • Science and News Writer
  • Penn State Extension Writer (Marketing Communications Specialist)