Pioneering Penn State virologist Marilyn Roosnick retires

October 14, 2021

After a fascinating and productive scientific career, Penn State professor Marilyn Roossinck, a trailblazing researcher in virology, has announced her decision to retire.

New director’s fund at Arboretum latest in philanthropic support

October 14, 2021

Philanthropy has been the driving force in the creation, sustainment and growth of The Arboretum at Penn State, not only in relation to its size but also its program offerings. A new fund established in honor of Dr. Kim Steiner, recently retired founding director of the Arboretum, is the latest example of how philanthropy continues to positively impact the gardens.

Penn State chapter of ag honor society Gamma Sigma Delta marks anniversary

October 14, 2021

The celebration this month of the 100th anniversary of the Honor Society of Agriculture, Gamma Sigma Delta, has special significance at Penn State, home of one of the international organization’s oldest chapters.

Novel lighting system designed for machine vision module of agricultural robots

October 12, 2021

A novel camera system using active lighting devised by Penn State researchers may be a crucial step in developing machine vision systems that allow robotic devices to more clearly "see" the agricultural targets with which they will react.

Annual Penn State Horticulture Show slated for Oct. 23-24 at University Park

October 11, 2021

The Penn State Horticulture Show, a must-do fall activity for many families, will take place from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 23 and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 24 at Penn State’s University Park campus.

Penn State Extension Master Gardeners support bee-monitoring project in Pa.

October 6, 2021

The decline of bee populations across the United States has become headline news and is a cause of great concern. The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners are doing their part to increase the baseline knowledge of bee biodiversity in Pennsylvania and to help identify changes in bee communities in the commonwealth.

Penn State alumnus furthers agricultural education abroad despite pandemic

October 6, 2021

After his plans to serve with the Peace Corps were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Manny Catala pivoted quickly to continue his service to students abroad. Catala, a 2019 graduate of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, will teach in Ghana this year as part of the International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program.

Schreyer Scholar works to develop sustainable solution to food insecurity

October 6, 2021

Schreyer Scholar and biological engineering student Vancie Peacock helped create the Schreyer Pocket Garden, a pilot program in which students will grow food that will support the Lion's Pantry at Penn State.

Warm, wet autumn could mute and delay foliage display in Pennsylvania

October 5, 2021

Because of the warm, wet summer, trees in Pennsylvania are mostly in great shape. But for the state’s forests to exhibit their most vibrant colors, conditions need to be cooler and drier in the next few weeks, according to a Penn State expert.

Penn State Extension land-use webinar to focus on agriculture in communities

October 5, 2021

The next web-based seminar in Penn State Extension’s land-use series will examine the benefits of agriculture in communities and how to prioritize agriculture in community land use.

Penn State researchers developing genomic resources to identify novel pathogens

October 4, 2021

To enhance the early detection of novel infectious bacteria that could cause outbreaks of infectious diseases, a team of researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences will sequence the genomes of 700 Bacilli bacteria — near relatives of the biothreat pathogen that causes anthrax — in a study intended to enhance the early detection of novel infectious bacteria that could cause outbreaks of infectious disease and public health emergencies.

Plant pathologists at Penn State head investigation into tar spot disease in Pa.

October 1, 2021

Plant pathologists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences are keeping a watchful eye on a corn disease new to Pennsylvania that has the potential to cause significant yield loss and reduce grain quality.

Berks professor to aid global research focused on uplifting smallholder farmers

September 30, 2021

A professor in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences will lend her expertise in gender studies to an interdisciplinary, multi-university team of researchers as they explore methods to advance fruit and vegetable production in Africa, South/Southeast Asia and Central America.

New tool predicts changes that may make COVID variants more infectious

September 29, 2021

Researchers at Penn State have created a novel framework that can predict with reasonable accuracy the amino-acid changes in the virus’ spike protein that may improve its binding to human cells and confer increased infectivity to the virus. The tool could enable the computational surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and provide advance warning of potentially dangerous variants with an even higher binding affinity potential. This can aid in the early implementation of public health measures to prevent the virus’ spread and perhaps even may inform vaccine booster formulations.

Two student teams awarded $25,000 for using artifical intelligence for good

September 29, 2021

A panel of judges named InsectEye and AI-powered Recycling the winning teams in the 2021 Nittany AI Challenge. The teams will receive a combined total of $25,000 in funding to continue moving their solutions forward.

U.S. soybean, corn yields could be increased through use of machine learning

September 29, 2021

Research guided by a plant pathologist in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences suggests that machine-learning algorithms that are programmed to recognize changing weather patterns could show producers and agricultural managers how to increase soybean and corn yields in the United States.

Student Farm at Penn State hosts 6th annual Harvest Festival celebration

September 28, 2021

The Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Student Farm at Penn State will once again be welcoming the campus and community to the farm for its 6th annual Harvest Festival. The event will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

USDA grant supports Penn State research on mushroom industry automation

September 28, 2021

A nearly $4 million grant awarded to Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences will support an interdisciplinary, multi-university team of researchers as they investigate technologies designed to address labor shortages on mushroom farms.

Small but mighty: Microgreens go from trendy vegetables to functional food

September 28, 2021

Starting decades ago as fashionable, high-value gourmet greens, today microgreens have gained popularity among consumers for their nutritional profile and high content of antioxidant compounds. Now, a new study suggests that the tiny plants have the potential to help provide global nutrition security.

Penn State asks visitors to watch for, help stop spread of spotted lanternfly

September 28, 2021

With Penn State’s academic year and football season underway, thousands of students, families and fans are converging on Happy Valley, and the University wants to make sure they are not bringing with them an unwanted hitchhiker — the spotted lanternfly — a pest that feeds on more than 70 types of plants.

College of Ag Sciences senior finds path in environmental academics and action

September 24, 2021

Penn State senior Elka Hoelsken is exploring environmental and natural resource issues as a student in the Environmental Resource Management program.

22 Penn State alumni to receive Alumni Fellow Award

September 22, 2021

The Penn State Alumni Association will honor 22 Penn Staters on Oct. 6 with the Alumni Fellow Award, the highest award given by the Alumni Association.

Learn how to start your AI journey at the virtual 'AI for Good Expo' on Sept. 28

September 22, 2021

Start your journey with artificial intelligence at the virtual "AI for Good Expo" on Sept. 28. Join teams who competed in past and present Nittany AI Challenges, as well as specialists, employers and others who will share best practices in working with AI.

Webinar explores benefits of converting traditional lawns to native landscaping

September 21, 2021

The benefits and challenges of lawn conversion and native landscaping in communities that yield water-quality benefits will be the topic of a web-based seminar hosted by Penn State Extension from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 12.

Windon to lead Ukraine Rural and Agricultural Development program at Penn State

September 21, 2021

Suzanna Windon, assistant professor in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has been appointed director of the college’s Ukrainian Rural and Agricultural Development Program.

Pasto Ag Museum offering 'Research Unplugged' events on October Thursdays

September 20, 2021

The Pasto Agricultural Museum will host three “Research Unplugged” presentations on Thursday afternoons in October, featuring Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences’ faculty talking about their studies in entomology.

Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering marks 100-year anniversary

September 20, 2021

Penn State’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering has its roots in a global pandemic and will mark its centennial anniversary amid another — a unique organization bookended by unfortunate circumstances.

Institute sponsors four co-funded faculty positions in AI and data science

September 20, 2021

The Institute for Computational and Data Sciences (ICDS), in partnership with four academic colleges will sponsor four co-funded faculty positions focused on the development of novel methods or advanced applications in data science.

Collaborative climate project provides research opportunities to undergrads

September 16, 2021

Researchers from several disciplines across Penn State are spearheading an NSF-funded program for underrepresented U.S. undergraduate students to research extreme weather events and climate change in Peru.

Loggers, landscapers face deadly danger felling trees in forests and urban areas

September 14, 2021

Tree felling — whether by professional loggers in a forest setting or by landscapers in urban and rural landscapes — is the most dangerous job in what are two of the most dangerous industries, according to Penn State researchers who conducted a new study of associated deaths.

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)