Ribbon-cutting marks reopening of renovated Agricultural Engineering Building

June 8, 2018

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held today (June 8) to mark the official opening of Penn State’s rebuilt and renovated Agricultural Engineering Building, which houses the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

Doctoral degree student awarded scholarship by national soil society

June 8, 2018

A graduate student in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences recently was named the recipient of a scholarship from the Soil Science Society of America.

Unique food-microbiology workshop offered to select visiting students

June 7, 2018

A faculty team in Penn State's Department of Food Science is offering a novel microbiology workshop in June and July to visiting college students from around the Commonwealth and Puerto Rico.

Penn State scientists spotlight spotted lanternfly research on Capitol Hill

June 6, 2018

As the emergence of the spotted lanternfly continues to threaten portions of Pennsylvania’s agricultural industry, two researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences who are studying the invasive insects joined colleagues from more than 20 universities on Capitol Hill today (June 6) to show members of Congress and their staffs the importance of funding agricultural research.

Penn State senior one of 16 young leaders taking part in international forum

June 6, 2018

For his commitment to building a more sustainable future for his country, Shah Chowdhury, a community, environment and development major in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, has been invited to participate in this year's Young Leaders Programme at European Development Days, currently taking place in Brussels, Belgium.

College of Agricultural Sciences celebrates outstanding students for 2018

June 5, 2018

Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences recently recognized recipients of the Outstanding Senior Award and Outstanding Student Awards for the 2017-2018 academic year.

Farmer saved thanks to rescuers who took Penn State Extension training

June 5, 2018

A Pennsylvania farmer trapped in a grain bin was rescued by first responders who knew how to save him thanks to training from Penn State Extension.

Agricultural diversification: Empowering women in Cambodia with 'wild gardens'

June 5, 2018

Teaching Cambodian farmers — mainly women who manage small farms — ways to diversify their operations for improved nutrition and extra income is one aspect of a multidisciplinary project led by researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences and called "Women in Agriculture Network (WAgN): Cambodia."

Dual-purpose wound dressing supported by $2 million NIH grant

June 5, 2018

Development of wound dressings made of semi-synthetic biomaterials will be the focus of a five-year, $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Once developed, this new kind of wound dressing would promote faster and more complete healing for the millions of people who suffer from skin wounds.

University mourns death of trustee emeritus, former state lawmaker Roger Madigan

June 4, 2018

Roger Madigan, an emeritus member of the Penn State Board of Trustees and former state lawmaker, passed away on June 2 at the age of 88.

Oil and gas wastewater as dust suppressant less than ideal

May 30, 2018

At the least, wastewater from oil and gas drilling should be treated in a waste treatment facility before it is used on dirt roads to suppress dust or deice roads. At the best, affordable, nontoxic dust suppressants should be developed and used, according to a multidisciplinary team of researchers.

Doctoral student in plant science invited to participate in global food summit

May 30, 2018

Zachary Dashner, a doctoral student in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, has been invited to take part in the U.S. Borlaug Summer Institute on Global Food Security in June at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Hold your quarter horses: Donors create equine legacy at Penn State

May 30, 2018

Penn State's Equine Science Program recently received "Red, White N Good,” a quarter-horse stallion valued at $130,000, from Craig and Becky Bailey, of Bailey Farm in Ohio.

Recipients of 2018 Research Recognition Awards honored

May 30, 2018

Started in 2014, the Research Recognition Awards honor the outstanding research achievements of Penn State College of Medicine and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center investigators who have distinguished themselves in several areas of research.

Arboretum at Penn State hosts 'Gravity Schmavity' plastic sculpture exhibition

May 29, 2018

The Arboretum at Penn State invites the campus and surrounding communities to the public opening of a summer art exhibition — "Gravity Schmavity: Repurposed Plastic Sculpture by Aurora Robson" — on Saturday, June 2. The works will be displayed at three locations in the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens: the Overlook Pavilion, the Glass House in the Childhood's Gate Children's Garden, and the Poplar Court.

Climate change forced zombie ant fungi to adapt

May 29, 2018

Zombie ants clamp on to aerial vegetation and hang for months spewing the spores of their parasitic fungi, but researchers noticed that they do not always clamp on to the same part of the plant. Now the researchers know that the choice of leaves or twigs is related to climate and that climate change forced the fungi to adapt to local conditions.

Posttraumatic stress affects academics

May 28, 2018

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by traumatic military experiences is associated with feelings of anxiety, anger, sadness and/or guilt. New Penn State research is evaluating how PTSD symptoms increase risks for academic difficulties as well.

Penn State Extension kiosks at produce auctions provide information for growers

May 25, 2018

In partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Penn State Extension has set up kiosks at produce auctions across the state to provide growers with timely information on disease and pest identification and management, invasive species alerts, and food safety.

University Staff Advisory Council honors outstanding staff

May 24, 2018

“It was difficult to select just one winner in each category because each nominee brought such talent to Penn State," said USAC Awards Committee chair Megan Gilpin. "But Corinna Fisher, Jamie Perryman, and Kristy Bryan rose to the top.”

Extension to hire phorid fly liaison for residents, researchers, mushroom farms

May 24, 2018

In an effort to ease the predicament of southern Chester County neighborhoods besieged by mushroom phorid flies, Penn State Extension will hire an entomologist to serve as a liaison between residents, the researchers trying to solve the fly problems, and mushroom farmers.

Four honored for commitment to diversity in College of Agricultural Sciences

May 23, 2018

Four individuals have received the 2018 Dr. William Henson Diversity Achievement Award from Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, an honor that recognizes distinctive and outstanding teaching, research, extension or creative work that advances diversity in the college.

Petrunak receives 2018 Excellence in Academic Advising Award

May 23, 2018

Dianne Petrunak, academic adviser for the Department of Plant Science, has received the Excellence in Academic Advising Award from the College of Agricultural Sciences for 2018.

Penn State-led consortium to support agricultural, economic growth in Ukraine

May 23, 2018

To help Ukraine realize its agricultural potential, Penn State has assembled an elite group of experts from Ohio State University, Kansas State University, University of Missouri and Louisiana State University, to form the Consortium for Ukraine's Rural and Agricultural Development, or CURAD.

Holsteins born at Penn State to improve genetic diversity are 'udderly' amazing

May 21, 2018

The six bundles of Holstein joy born at the Penn State Dairy Barns in April of last year — the outcome of a research project to improve genetic diversity in the breed — have garnered a fan following.

Human Health and the Environment seed grant recipients announced

May 21, 2018

Human Health and the Environment seed grants for 2018 have been awarded to eight interdisciplinary teams of Penn State researchers. The seed grants were funded through a collaboration of Penn State Institutes and the College of Medicine, which collectively contributed more than $400,000.

City Lights: Experience the ingenious power of partnership

May 16, 2018

A series of interactive, TED-talk-style City Lights events will showcase Invent Penn State next month, as the annual series will visit Harrisburg; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia and Pittsburgh from June 18-21.

Wasp warriors: Entomologists on samurai mission to slay stink bugs

May 16, 2018

Hillary Peterson is every brown marmorated stink bug's worst nightmare. The Penn State doctoral degree student does not intend to rest professionally until she and other entomologists devise a way to reduce burgeoning populations of the invasive insect, originally from Asia, which are damaging crops and aggravating people. The goal of their research is to develop biological controls to interfere with the pest's reproduction.

Penn State delegation advocates for social sciences in Washington, DC

May 15, 2018

A group of Penn State researchers recently attended the Consortium of Social Science Association’s (COSSA) 2018 Science Policy Conference and Social Science Advocacy Day in Washington, DC.

Leach named spotted lanternfly extension associate at Penn State

May 15, 2018

Heather Leach has joined Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences as a spotted lanternfly extension associate.

You’re invited: 5 reasons to attend We Are Weekend

May 15, 2018

Penn Staters are encouraged to return to University Park for a summer celebration. We Are Weekend is your opportunity to create lasting memories with family, friends and classmates during a Penn State comeback weekend June 1–3.

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)