Faculty mentors sought for the Penn State EnvironMentors program

July 31, 2019

EnvironMentors at Penn State, a local chapter of a national program focused on engaging and preparing underrepresented high school students for careers in STEM fields, is looking for faculty mentors as it expands into its second year.

Travel course offers first-hand look at natural hazards facing Thailand

July 31, 2019

From its gorgeous beaches to energetic cities, Thailand is known for its iconic tourist attractions. Penn State students who recently toured the Southeast Asian nation as part of a Maymester study course took the road less traveled, learning about natural hazards facing the developing nation, with pit stops visiting elephant sanctuaries, animal hospitals, hydroelectric plants and mangrove-lined coastlines.

Penn State professor co-chairs roadmap to guide synthetic biology investments

July 29, 2019

Howard Salis, associate professor of biological engineering and chemical engineering at Penn State, helped to draft a technical roadmap recently published by the public-private Engineering Biology Research Consortium that will guide future investments in synthetic biology, including encouraging partnerships to enable these innovations to make the most positive societal impact.

Engineering students work to improve Berkey Creamery experience for customers

July 26, 2019

Penn State’s Berkey Creamery will soon be running smoother than its world-famous ice cream. Students in the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering’s Service Enterprise Engineering program are collaborating with the Creamery to optimize the efficiency of the Penn State landmark.

Arboretum at Penn State to celebrate 10th anniversary with Gala in the Gardens

July 25, 2019

Dinner and dancing will highlight a Gala in the Gardens event from 5:30 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the opening of The Arboretum at Penn State’s H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens.

Kaylegian named recipient of Arthur W. Nesbitt Faculty Program Development Award

July 24, 2019

Kerry Kaylegian, associate research professor in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has been named the recipient of the 2019 Arthur W. Nesbitt Faculty Program Development Award.

Penn State partners with University of Freiburg on center for living materials

July 24, 2019

A new strategic partnership between Penn State and the University of Freiburg in Germany will propel the development of a new class of engineered living materials with potential applications in sustainable infrastructure, robotics technologies, and next-generation medical care.

Student travels to Washington to share passion for international agriculture

July 23, 2019

Sulav Paudel, a doctoral candidate in entomology and in international agriculture and development in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, traveled to Washington, D.C., in June to participate in two conferences aimed at advancing international agriculture and rural development.

Novel powdered milk method yields better frothing agent

July 23, 2019

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A novel method of processing — using high-pressure jets to spray milk and then quickly drying the spray — yields skim milk powders with enhanced properties and functionality, according to Penn State researchers, who say the discovery may lead to "cleaner" labels on foods.

Plants defend against insects by inducing 'leaky gut syndrome'

July 22, 2019

Plants may induce "leaky gut syndrome" — permeability of the gut lining — in insects as part of a multipronged strategy for protecting themselves from being eaten, according to researchers at Penn State. By improving our understanding of plant defenses, the findings could contribute to the development of new pest control methods.

Penn State Extension ag safety expert receives international award

July 22, 2019

Linda Fetzer, extension associate in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has been named the 2019 recipient of the International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health's Practitioner Achievement Award.

Location, Location, Location: Where and How do Food Hubs Flourish?

July 19, 2019

For a new food hub to succeed, it should be located in a community with a population sufficient to sustain it, according to a team of economists, who found that a county seeking to establish its first food hub needs roughly 182,000 residents for that food hub to break even.

Graduate students awarded National Institute of Food and Agriculture fellowships

July 19, 2019

Two graduate students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences received Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Education and Workforce Development fellowships from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Both students are active members of the Microbiome Center in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences.

New tuberculosis tests pave way for cow vaccination programs

July 17, 2019

Skin tests that can distinguish between cattle that are infected with tuberculosis (TB) and those that have been vaccinated against the disease have been created by an international team of scientists.

Storer named Distinguished Alumnus for outstanding career, support of students

July 16, 2019

John “Jack” Storer, a 1950 Penn State alumnus, who holds a bachelor’s degree in forestry, has received Penn State’s Distinguished Alumni Award, which is the highest honor presented by the University to alumni.

Penn State Berkey Creamery hosts annual creamery managers conference

July 16, 2019

The Penn State Berkey Creamery served up valuable information and a bit of fun — ice cream included, of course — to colleagues when it recently hosted the annual University Creamery Managers Conference.

College of Ag Sciences college relations director lauded by peers

July 15, 2019

Mary Wirth, director of college relations and communications in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, received the 2019 Professional Award from the Association for Communication Excellence during the organization’s annual conference in San Antonio, Texas, June 22-27.

Penn State professor part of team receiving United Nations Public Service Award

July 10, 2019

Ted Alter, professor of agricultural, environmental and regional economics in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, is among an international group of community, industry, government and academic leaders who are being lauded for their work to help manage an invasive and destructive species in Australia.

Toxicology student creates success through Millennium Scholars Program

July 9, 2019

Talia Seymore, a rising senior majoring in toxicology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has discovered her passion for research through the Penn State Millennium Scholars Program.

PlantVillage gives undergraduate a chance to help feed the world via technology

July 9, 2019

Coming from the small town of Limeport, near Allentown, a young Annalyse Kehs may not have thought much about international agriculture or feeding the world. But thanks to a project called PlantVillage, the Penn State rising senior not only is helping to address world hunger but is relishing the opportunity to travel to destinations such as Kenya and Rome to interact with farmers, researchers and policymakers.

Penn State students learn about international agriculture during trip to DC

July 3, 2019

More than a dozen Penn State students had a unique opportunity during a visit to Washington, D.C., this past spring to learn about current issues in international agriculture from those working in the sector.

Some green ash trees show some resistance to emerald ash borers

July 3, 2019

Genes in green ash trees that may confer some resistance to attacks by the emerald ash borer express themselves only once the tree detects the invasive beetle's feeding, according to Penn State researchers.

College of Agricultural Sciences junior named Hollings Undergraduate Scholar

July 3, 2019

Jessica Briggs, a junior in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, received the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship this spring.

Land-use webinar to focus on complete streets in communities

July 1, 2019

Complete streets that work for everyone who uses them will be the subject of a web-based seminar offered by Penn State Extension at noon July 17.

Penn State Beaver biology professor studying wild ramps in Pennsylvania

July 1, 2019

Penn State Beaver Professor of Biology Sarah Nilson and a team of researchers are working to determine if wild ramps that grow in Pennsylvania should be considered a vulnerable species.

'Planting green' cover-crop strategy may help farmers deal with wet springs

July 1, 2019

Allowing cover crops to grow two weeks longer in the spring and planting corn and soybean crops into them before termination is a strategy that may help no-till farmers deal with wet springs, according to Penn State researchers.

Unconventional oil, gas wastewater management the focus of shale gas webinar

July 1, 2019

Treatment of wastewater from unconventional gas and oil development using technologies such as wastewater pretreatment, distillation, crystallization and de-wasting will be the subject of a web-based seminar offered by Penn State Extension at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 18.

Penn State's appropriation increases as General Assembly adopts 2019-20 budget

June 27, 2019

Penn State’s 2019-20 general support appropriation from the Commonwealth increased by 2%, or approximately $4.75 million, as the University’s non-preferred appropriations bill passed the General Assembly today (June 27) as part of Pennsylvania’s $34 billion budget package, which is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf.

Penn State scientists expanding work to help farmers learn about industrial hemp

June 27, 2019

With the passage of the 2018 farm bill and new regulations that allow the crop to be grown for sale for a range of uses, hemp production in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania has taken off, with more than 300 permits approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture this year. Even before hemp was green-lighted by the federal government, Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences was at the forefront of industrial hemp research in Pennsylvania.

College of Agricultural Sciences trains Ethiopians to detect dairy pathogens

June 26, 2019

A two-week training on foodborne pathogen detection methods, focused on dairy, will help educators and government agencies in Ethiopia ensure the safety of dairy products in that country.

Media Contacts

  • Senior Public Relations Specialist/News Editor
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  • 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)