Suat Irmak named fellow by leading world science society

Suat Irmak, professor and head of agricultural and biological engineering in the College of Agricultural Sciences, has been elected to the latest cohort of fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the journal Science.

Penn State’s Agribot Club: Where technology meets agriculture

At the intersection of technology and agriculture, Penn State’s Agribot Club in the College of Agricultural Sciences aims to shape the future of farming through robotics.

Schreyer Scholar sows passion for agricultural leadership

Landis Crawford, a Schreyer Scholar and agricultural engineering major, has developed a passion for agricultural leadership from Penn State Behrend to University Park.

Natural insect predators may serve as allies in spotted lanternfly battle

Insect predators found in the U.S. could help keep spotted lanternfly populations in check while potentially reducing reliance on chemical control methods, according to a new study conducted by researchers at Penn State.

Analyzing genetic ‘signatures’ may give insight into what stresses wild bees

A new method of examining gene expression patterns called landscape transcriptomics may help pinpoint what causes bumble bees stress and could eventually give insight into why bee populations are declining overall, according to a study led by researchers at Penn State.

Synthetic microbiome therapy suppresses bacterial infection without antibiotics

A synthetic microbiome therapy, tested in mice, holds promise as a new treatment for C. difficile, a notoriously difficult-to-treat bacterial infection, according to a team of researchers at Penn State. The targeted treatment was as effective as human fecal transplants in mice against C. difficile infection with fewer safety concerns, protecting against severe symptoms and decreasing recurrent infections.

Penn State Ag student Auja Bywater wins global research award

Auja Bywater, a doctoral student in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has been awarded second prize in the Global Challenges University Alliance 2030 research competition.

New computer vision system can guide specialty crops monitoring

Soilless growing systems inside greenhouses, known as controlled environment agriculture, promise to advance the year-round production of high-quality specialty crops, according to an interdisciplinary research team at Penn State. But to be competitive and sustainable, this advanced farming method will require the development and implementation of precision agriculture techniques. To meet that demand, the team developed an automated crop-monitoring system capable of providing continuous and frequent data about plant growth and needs, allowing for informed crop management.

Penn State turfgrass science students succeed at two national competitions

Students from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences are starting the year out with wins at two turfgrass industry national competitions.

Growing people and forests: The power of undergraduate research

Penn State faculty members Laura Leites and Alex Storm are working to create valuable undergraduate research opportunities that enhance knowledge, facilitate students’ transition between campuses, and strengthen connections with state and federal agencies — all while advancing the study of climate adaptation in forest tree species.

Native bee populations can bounce back after honey bees move out

Managed honey bees have the potential to affect native bee populations when they are introduced to a new area, but a study led by researchers at Penn State suggests that, under certain conditions, the native bees can bounce back if the apiaries are moved away.

Most cross-bred beef-dairy calves display heartier constitutions than purebreds

Many modern dairy farm operations have developed an additional revenue stream by breeding dairy cows with Black Angus beef bulls using artificial insemination to produce crossbred calves, which typically have improved meat quality and higher market value compared to purebred dairy calves. But these valuable hybrid calves often are beset with pneumonia, which was thought to limit their growth performance after they recover.

López-Uribe awarded presidential honor for early career scientists

Margarita López-Uribe, the Lorenzo L. Langstroth Early Career Professor of Entomology in the College of Agricultural Sciences, was awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.

Harnessing mushroom microbiomes for better crop development

Microorganisms collected from the material in which button mushrooms are grown may benefit the development of future fungi crops, according to a study led by researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Christina Grozinger to lead Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences as director

Christina Grozinger has been appointed as the new director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State, succeeding interim director Patrick Drew. Globally recognized for her research in pollinator genetics and insect biodiversity, Grozinger's leadership is expected to significantly advance the institute's research capabilities and collaborative efforts across diverse scientific disciplines.

Cycling and sustainability go hand-in-hand for College of Ag Sciences student

Emily Stapleton, a first-year agricultural and biorenewable systems management major in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, is working toward a career in sustainable food production. At Penn State, she’s found a place to pursue her academic interests and love of competitive cycling.

Quantity over quality? Different bees are attracted to different floral traits

Different species of bees may be attracted to different flower traits when it comes to deciding where they’re going to get their next meal, according to a recent study led by researchers at Penn State.

Global Teach Ag Network awarded for efforts in Pennsylvania educator development

The Global Teach Ag Network at Penn State has been awarded the "Bringing the World to Pennsylvania: K-16 Collaboration Award" from the Pennsylvania Council for International Education.

Ag student travels to Arctic for research training in a climate-changed region

Ayse Akyildiz, a doctoral student in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, recently returned from a research training trip to the Arctic, during which she and the other participants learned more about the region and the complex challenges it faces in a warming world.

College of Ag Sciences celebrates faculty, staff achievements in research

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences celebrated another year of outstanding success and accomplishments in research during the 2024 Research Awards Ceremony, held Nov. 19 at the Hintz Family Alumni Center on the University Park campus.

Pennsylvania 4-H delegation attends White House turkey-pardoning ceremony

Representatives from Penn State Extension, the College of Agricultural Sciences, and the Pennsylvania 4-H State Council had the unique opportunity to attend the annual turkey-pardoning ceremony at the White House on Nov. 25.

'Growing Impact' reflects on PlantVillage investment, success

“Growing Impact” highlights PlantVillage, an innovative project that leverages the power of smartphones, artificial intelligence and cloud computing to help millions of farmers across Africa, Asia and the Americas.

Alternate stream water-testing method detects emerging contaminants

Pollutants known as “contaminants of emerging concern” or chemicals that could potentially harm human health and have been found in the environment, including pesticides, ingredients from personal care products, pharmaceuticals and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are increasingly found in streams and lakes. A team led by researchers at Penn State recently demonstrated the accuracy and utility of a new method to find even very low levels of these substances in surface waters. They reported their findings in the Science of the Total Environment.

American soil losing more crop nutrients due to heavier rainstorms, study shows

Phosphorus, a nutrient in soil essential for sustaining most forms of life, is increasingly disappearing from land as it is washed into waterways throughout the United States, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State.

Penn State water-energy-food nexus project takes a global approach

Michael Jacobson, professor of forest resources in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management in the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, co-led the second Collaborative Learning School, a year-round virtual networking community of faculty, students and early career professionals that culminates in a two-week summer field workshop with U.S. and African scientists and practitioners. The school, which was held in Uganda last year, is funded by a five-year, $2 million U.S. National Science Foundation grant and is an initiative of the SustainFood Network.

Distinguished professor in plant nutrition retires after long, impactful career

Jonathan Lynch, distinguished professor of plant nutrition, retired this fall after an innovative and impactful 33-year career in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, focused on conducting research to alleviate world hunger and enhance crop production by subsistence farmers in developing countries.

First-year College of Ag Sciences students thrive in summer internships

Three first-year students from the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management in the College of Agricultural Sciences were inspired to pursue summer internships by their experiences in AG 150: First-Year Seminar at Penn State Altoona.

Research team gets grant to study precision chemical thinning of apple blossoms

One of the most traditionally time-consuming, labor-intensive processes of apple production is blossom thinning, which involves manually pruning flowers so that remaining blooms can reclaim the plant’s resources to grow better fruit. More recently, the process has shifted to broad chemical spraying, which can have harmful environmental impacts. To assist producers and mitigate environmental harm, the USDA has awarded a three-year, $601,125 grant to a team of Penn State researchers for the development of a robotic precision spraying system.

Deer, seedlings and soil pH influence local forest regeneration

New findings from long-term research underscore the challenges managers face when trying to conserve Penn’s Woods.

Penn State professor awarded UNESCO Janusz Korczak Jubilee Medal

Mark Brennan, professor in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State, was recently awarded the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Janusz Korczak Jubilee Medal at a special ceremony in Poland.

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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)