Extension expanding food-safety training far beyond U.S. borders

May 14, 2018

The food-safety practices that Americans take for granted — such as washing hands with soap, refrigerating perishables, and not cutting raw meat and vegetables on the same surface without disinfection — may not be practiced widely in other places around the world,” said Cutter, professor of food science and Penn State Extension assistant director for food safety and quality programs. She and her colleagues in the College of Agricultural Sciences want to change that.

Penn State promotions in academic rank, effective July 1, 2018

May 10, 2018

The following is a list of academic promotions for tenured and tenure-line faculty members at Penn State, effective July 1.

Forest Resources Alumni Group names outstanding alumni for 2018

May 10, 2018

Five alumni recently received 2018 Outstanding Alumni Awards from Penn State's Forest Resources Alumni Group. The purpose of these awards is to recognize outstanding graduates of the former School of Forest Resources and the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

Natural gas pricing in Appalachian Basin topic of Extension webinar

May 10, 2018

With the abundance of U.S. shale gas, the pricing of natural gas can differ significantly in local markets. The factors that drive these differences will be the topic of a web-based seminar offered by Penn State Extension.

Sheep, goat financial management workshop slated for June 1

May 10, 2018

Are you struggling financially with your sheep or goat production? Would you like to learn more about managing finances to increase profitability? If so, plan to attend a sheep and goal financial management workshop hosted by Penn State Extension.

Lynch named recipient of American Society of Plant Biologists award

May 10, 2018

Jonathan Lynch, distinguished professor of plant science in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, has been named the 2018 winner of the Dennis R. Hoagland Award for his work in improving scientific understanding of crop productivity and plant nutrition to improve production and food security.

Cocoa CRISPR: Gene editing shows promise for improving the 'chocolate tree'

May 9, 2018

Use of the powerful gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 could help to breed cacao trees that exhibit desirable traits such as enhanced resistance to diseases, according to Penn State plant scientists.

Strengthening research collaborations goal of program

May 9, 2018

The Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology recently hosted a group of researchers from across the country with the objective of building research relationships and expanding educational opportunities.

Ten students and alumni named as Fulbright finalists for 2018-19

May 3, 2018

Ten Penn State students and alumni were selected as Fulbright finalists for the 2018-2019 academic year, according to the University Fellowships Office.

Energy Days conference to build partnerships, solve critical energy challenges

May 3, 2018

The third annual Energy Days conference will be held this year on May 30 and 31 at The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center. Energy Days was created in an effort to convene the energy expertise of Penn State and develop partnerships to help improve the affordability, sustainability and security of energy in the future. The conference is open to the public and is free for Penn State students, faculty and staff.

Centre County 4-H Robotics Club wins world championship

May 3, 2018

The Centre County 4-H Robotics Club recently brought home the gold after winning the FIRST Robotics Competition — the first Pennsylvania team to capture the title. Robotics clubs are among Penn State Extension's 4‑H science programs that provide youth the opportunity to learn about science, technology, engineering and math through fun, hands-on activities and projects.

From queue to cone: Students tackle issues that lead to Creamery’s long lines

May 3, 2018

Industrial engineering students are applying what they’ve learned in the classroom to help improve service at one of the most beloved places on the University Park campus, Penn State’s Berkey Creamery.

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.

Penn State's Master Watershed Steward Program praised by state

May 1, 2018

Penn State Extension's Master Watershed Steward Program recently received recognition from the state for its efforts to improve Pennsylvania's water quality.

Virus inhibits immune response of caterpillars and plants

May 1, 2018

It is well known that certain wasps suppress the immune systems of their caterpillar hosts so they can successfully raise their young within those hosts. Now researchers at Penn State show that, in addition to suppressing caterpillar immune systems, wasps also suppress the defense mechanisms of the plants on which the caterpillars feed, which ensures that the caterpillars will continue to provide a suitable environment for the wasps' offspring.

Deer fawns more likely to survive in agricultural landscapes than forest

May 1, 2018

The cruel truth is that throughout the white-tailed deer's range only about half of all fawns live to see their first birthday — most are killed by predators. However, they have a much better chance of surviving if they are born in farmland rather than in forest, according to Penn State researchers, who collaborated with Pennsylvania Game Commission deer biologists.

Entomology professor mentors summer interns to awards, success

April 30, 2018

A summer intern from Virginia State University —- working in the lab of James Tumlinson, Ralph O. Mumma Professor of Entomology in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences — has presented an award-winning lecture in the Emerging Researchers National Conference in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in Washington, D.C., on the research they conducted during their summer at Penn State.

Graduate student excellence celebrated at awards luncheon

April 27, 2018

Penn State President Eric Barron presented 11 awards to more than 30 graduate students in recognition of outstanding achievement during the annual Graduate Student Awards Luncheon held April 25 at the Nittany Lion Inn.

Ten students receive Martin Graduate Assistant Outstanding Teaching Awards

April 27, 2018

Ten Penn State graduate students received the 2018 Harold F. Martin Graduate Assistant Outstanding Teaching Award.

Penn State Flower Trials aid industry, consumers in picking posies

April 27, 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.

Fourteen graduate students receive the Alumni Association Dissertation Award

April 27, 2018

Fourteen graduate students received the Penn State Alumni Association Dissertation Award and Distinguished Doctoral Scholar Medal in recognition of their outstanding professional accomplishments and achievements in scholarly research in any of the disciplinary areas of arts and humanities; social sciences; physical and computational sciences; life and health sciences; and engineering.

Pennsylvania bear mange epidemic focus of Penn State and Game Commission project

April 25, 2018

Pennsylvania's black bear population is experiencing a mange epidemic, and a Penn State research team will work with the state Game Commission to gain a better understanding of the disease and develop strategies to manage it.

Penn State philanthropists honor Anna Griswold by naming ag sciences scholarship

April 24, 2018

To honor Anna Griswold, retired assistant vice president for undergraduate education and executive director for student aid, Tom Sharbaugh and his wife, Kristin Hayes, created the Anna M. Griswold Open Doors Scholarship in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

Pearlman relishes role as Berkey Creamery product development intern

April 24, 2018

Nathan Pearlman, a food science major in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, has savored his senior year, thanks, in part, to an internship with the Penn State Berkey Creamery.

Monsanto communications leader to speak at University Park campus

April 23, 2018

Vance Crowe, director of millennial engagement at Monsanto, will speak on the topic "Science and Technology: Combating Fear and Misinformation with Discovery and Wonder" during an event slated for 4-5 p.m. April 25 in 112 Buckhout Lab at Penn State's University Park campus.

Undergraduate Exhibition wraps up record year

April 23, 2018

Hundreds of students and judges bustled about in the HUB-Robeson Center Wednesday evening for the 2018 Undergraduate Research Exhibition on the University Park campus of Penn State. From musical presentations in the Flex Theater posters in Alumni and Heritage halls, the University's best were promoting the fruits of their academic and artistic pursuits.

72 undergraduate students awarded Erickson Discovery Grants

April 22, 2018

The list of 2018 Erickson Discovery Grants has been released, and 72 students from Penn State campuses will have their work bolstered by a $3,500 grant from the Office of Undergraduate Education.

Q&A: Recent alumna making impact on clean water in Pennsylvania

April 20, 2018

Sarah Xenophon, recent Penn State alumna and watershed technician in the University's Agriculture and Environment Center, talks about the impact of her work, including facilitation of efforts to restore polluted waterways in Pennsylvania.

Zaffuto takes on food science industry one brownie at a time

April 20, 2018

Michael Zaffuto, a food science major, attributes his many accomplishments to Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, his family and his hometown of Sykesville, Pennsylvania.

Q&A: Penn State’s impact on the Chesapeake Bay, clean water in Pa.

April 19, 2018

In this Q&A with Matthew Royer, director of the Agriculture and Environment Center at Penn State, we explore the ongoing work to improve the health of Pennsylvania's waterways, and by extension, the pollution problem in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

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)