May 11, 2026
In recognition of Lyme Disease Awareness month, Erika Machtinger, associate professor of entomology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, offered practical tips on protecting against ticks in this Q&A.
May 11, 2026
For the first time in more than three decades, a Penn Stater has earned one of science’s most competitive graduate fellowships. Charlie Colvin has been named a 2026 Hertz Fellow.
May 11, 2026
Invasive woody plants present a major ecological challenge in eastern U.S. forests by outcompeting native species and spreading quickly, forming dense thickets that crowd out native plants and disrupt ecosystems. Land managers have tried, with some success, to use prescribed fire to kill them, but is it effective? Researchers at Penn State reported mixed results when it comes to two of the most aggressive colonizers across North American landscapes, burning bush and border privet.
May 7, 2026
Nine members of Penn State’s student chapter of the Wildlife Society recently earned honors at the Northeast Section of the Wildlife Society Student Conclave.
May 6, 2026
Individuals interested in understanding forces impacting housing affordability and how it shapes rural communities in Pennsylvania can attend an upcoming webinar from Penn State Extension.
May 6, 2026
As a lifelong nature enthusiast, Erin Crump, of Montgomery County, has spent the past few years volunteering with Penn State Extension’s Master Watershed Steward program, working to establish a native garden at Wissahickon High School in Montgomery County, winning an award in the process.
May 6, 2026
Environmental scientists and water resource managers need precise, high-resolution maps to reveal areas that farmers should avoid when planting crops, to limit polluting waters with phosphorus from fertilizer or manure. Making those maps has depended on an expensive, sometimes unavailable technology, but a team led by Penn State researchers has developed a cheaper approach that can be just as effective.
May 6, 2026
Penn State senior Isabel Rivera found her passion through undergraduate geography research that took her from classroom learning and data analysis to fieldwork in South Africa.
May 5, 2026
Too many white-tailed deer are damaging forests in the U.S. by eating young plants before they can grow, limiting forest regeneration and damaging biodiversity. To mitigate this challenge, the Pennsylvania Game Commission implemented an initiative called the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) that helps landowners manage deer populations by allowing hunters to harvest more female deer where they are overabundant.
May 5, 2026
Suat Irmak, professor and head of Penn State’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, received the prestigious Royce J. Tipton Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers at the 2026 World Environmental and Water Resources Congress, held April 26-29 in Mobile, Alabama.
May 4, 2026
Legumes like soybeans, alfalfa, peas, beans, peanuts and many more can mutualistically partner with soil bacteria called rhizobia to benefit both organisms. Not just any rhizobia will do, however, as specific rhizobia match with specific plants for the best crop outcome, according to a team led by Penn State researchers, who recently discovered that plant genes strongly influence which rhizobial strains plants chose from a diverse mixture.
April 30, 2026
As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 19 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.
April 30, 2026
More than 1,300 large trees were planted across Pennsylvania this spring through a program helping communities overcome the cost and complexity of expanding local tree canopy. Supported by Penn State Extension and the nonprofit TreePennsylvania, the effort helps municipalities plant dozens of trees at a time with volunteer support and reduced expense.
April 29, 2026
The Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences honored four alumni with 2026 Outstanding Alumni awards in a ceremony on April 15 in State College.
April 29, 2026
Thirty-three non-tenure-line faculty will use Opportunity Grants to fund a project of their choosing during the 2026-27 academic year. Opportunity Grants are designed for clinical, teaching, research and professors of practice faculty to receive funding for professional development through a self-proposed project.
April 29, 2026
Anyone interested in preserving food at home can learn food preservation methods and best practices by attending in-person workshops and webinars hosted by Penn State Extension.
April 29, 2026
Members of the public can learn about evidence-based care for individuals with opioid use disorder and barriers to access at a Penn State Extension webinar, “Opioid Use Disorders: Treatments and Challenges” occurring noon to 1 p.m. on May 6.
April 29, 2026
The Coaly Society recently celebrated the organization's 75th anniversary with a student-led effort to update Old Coaly's display in the HUB-Robeson Center.
April 29, 2026
Tanya Berger-Wolf, professor of computer science engineering; of electrical and computer engineering; and of evolution, ecology and organismal biology at Ohio State University, gave a lecture titled “AI for Nature: From Science to Action" as part of the Distinguished Lectures in Life Sciences series presented by the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences.
April 28, 2026
The López-Uribe Lab recently held its sixth annual Pennsylvania Bee Monitoring Workshop, an event in which scientists and Master Gardener volunteers gathered to share updates about data collected in previous years, review monitoring protocols and discuss the focus of the study for the upcoming year.
April 27, 2026
Two Penn State doctoral students will spend eight weeks in Germany at the headquarters of global biotechnology company QIAGEN. This marks the third year of the program, a partnership between the One Health Microbiome Center and QIAGEN.
April 24, 2026
Penn State Extension’s Master Watershed Steward Program received the 2026 Special Recognition Award from the Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin.
April 24, 2026
Leaders from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences joined University, state and local officials to mark the official opening of the Keystone Animal Diagnostic Center at the Penn State Beaver campus in Monaca.
April 23, 2026
When she graduates in May, Katie Rupert will be putting her degree and global experience to use at the Kraft Heinz Co. in Chicago.
April 23, 2026
The security of every nation faces an increasingly severe and frequent threat: disruptions to nature. In this Q&A, Bradley J. Cardinale, Penn State professor of ecosystem science and management, discussed his recent study examining how disrupted ecosystems can lead to increased risk for food security, water availability, health and well-being, as well as crime.
April 22, 2026
Diane and Mike Katzaman have come forward with a $3 million estate commitment designed to lower financial barriers for Penn State students and provide the support they need to thrive.
April 22, 2026
The Penn State Soil Judging Team finished second in the Group Judging category and tied for 10th place overall in the 2026 National Collegiate Soil Judging Contest at North Carolina State University on March 22-27.
April 22, 2026
Three Penn State students, including two from the College of Agricultural Sciences and one from the Smeal College of Business, recently spoke about their global food security projects at a special meeting of the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council.
April 22, 2026
Trichoderma species — a common fungus found in soils — have varying abilities to promote tomato plant growth and differentially affect the abundance of certain soil bacteria, according to a study led by researchers at Penn State.
April 20, 2026
In a new study of tropical amphibians, a team led by Penn State biologists found that amphibians in connected natural forests and aquatic habitats were more likely to host beneficial skin microbes that inhibit a deadly fungal pathogen.
