Next on 'Digging Deeper': The future of the Arboretum at Penn State

May 20, 2021

Penn State President Eric Barron and University guests will discuss the expansion plans and upcoming spring and summer events schedule for The Arboretum at Penn State during the season finale of WPSU’s “Digging Deeper” on Sunday, May 23.

CT scans offer new view of Lake Malawi cichlid specimens in Penn State museum

May 18, 2021

Computed tomography — CT scanning — which combines a series of X-ray images taken from different angles around an organism and uses computer processing to create cross-sectional images of its bones, is providing new insight into an old initiative to characterize fishes in Africa’s Lake Malawi.

College of Ag Sciences students recognized in Diversity Essay Contest

May 18, 2021

Three students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have been recognized for their commitment to diversity as winners of the second annual Undergraduate Diversity Essay Contest, which is sponsored by the college’s Diversity Coordinating Council.

Discovery of flowering gene in cacao may lead to accelerated breeding strategies

May 17, 2021

For the first time, a gene that controls flowering in cacao has been identified, a discovery that may help accelerate breeding efforts aimed at improving the disease-ridden plant, Penn State researchers suggested in a new study.

2021 Guentter Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis Award finalists, winner named

May 14, 2021

Penn State University Libraries and the Schreyer Honors College recognized the 10th annual finalist presentations and winner of the recently endowed Robert F. Guentter Jr. Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis Award on May 6, immediately following the three finalists’ remote presentations. Finalists represented the College of Agricultural Sciences, the College of Information Sciences and Technology, and the College of the Liberal Arts.

Land-use webinar to focus on community needs assessments to inform plans

May 14, 2021

The importance of community planners acquiring information from local organizations and agencies to adjust their efforts will be the topic of a web-based seminar offered by Penn State Extension at noon on May 19.

Junior grows seeds of opportunity as student in College of Ag Sciences

May 13, 2021

Kyle Hartmann, a plant sciences major in the College of Agricultural Sciences, found new opportunities at Penn State which started after he joined the Accomplish Program. The peer mentor program helps students moving from other campuses or universities to find resources to successfully acclimate to University Park, the college and the community.

Better Kid Care, Cedar Crest partner to help youth living with Type 1 diabetes

May 12, 2021

In collaboration with Allentown-based Cedar Crest College School of Nursing, Penn State Extension’s Better Kid Care program has developed one online module on Type 1 diabetes designed to support early childhood educators and caregivers in their understanding and awareness of the disease.

Forest-products professionals and vendors to gather, safely, for Timber 2021

May 12, 2021

Forest-products business professionals, students and workers interested in forest-related careers, and vendors of equipment and supplies will gather for commerce, education and networking at the 2021 Forest Products Equipment and Technology Exposition, June 4-5 at Penn State's Ag Progress Days site at Rock Springs.

Staph infection turf study yields insight in coronavirus survivability on fields

May 11, 2021

When Andrew McNitt and colleagues were conducting a study of the survivability of bacteria that cause staph infections on synthetic and natural turf football fields in 2008-09, no one had heard of COVID-19, of course. So, the question of whether the novel coronavirus that triggered the global pandemic could persist on playing surfaces and infect players was unimaginable.

Schmitt receives Research Innovators Award from College of Ag Sciences

May 10, 2021

Anthony Schmitt, professor of virology, is the 2021 recipient of the Research Innovators Award, given by the Office for Research and Graduate Education and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Search begins for next leader of The Arboretum at Penn State

May 10, 2021

A national search will commence to find the next leader of The Arboretum at Penn State — one of the most cherished and popular destinations in State College. In the meantime, an interim director will provide temporary leadership beginning July 1.

CRISPR/Cas technology could enable early diagnosis of devastating citrus disease

May 10, 2021

Penn State and U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists have used cutting-edge CRISPR/Cas technology to develop a diagnostic test that could enable early diagnosis of citrus greening, or Huanglongbing, a serious disease that threatens worldwide citrus production, which is valued at roughly $17 billion from the sale of fresh fruit and juices.

Researchers to seek novel strategies to boost, expand turkey breeding

May 10, 2021

A Penn State research team has received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to develop novel strategies to overcome the constraints that the seasonal cycle imposes on reproductive output of turkey hens.

Pennsylvania 4-H leadership looks toward resumption of in-person activities

May 7, 2021

As group-gathering restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic begin to ease, leaders of the Pennsylvania 4-H youth development program are planning for the probability that youth 4-H members and volunteer leaders will be able to participate in program activities in person in the coming months, likely supplemented with virtual offerings.

Extension educators explain spotted lanternfly life cycle, offer management tips

May 7, 2021

Sunny skies and rising temperatures have many on cloud nine with anticipation of summertime fun. But for residents in parts of Pennsylvania and beyond, these weather conditions also signal the return of a trespasser that aims to rain on their parade — the spotted lanternfly.

New Penn State 'Dairy Idea Plans' feature automatic milking systems

May 7, 2021

Penn State Extension is offering three new “Dairy Idea Plans” intended to give dairy producers and industry professionals fundamentally sound and functional layouts for dairy housing systems and components.

Penn State Extension webinar series highlights tick safety in Pennsylvania

May 6, 2021

Pennsylvania is ranked No. 1 in the nation for tick-borne diseases. As part of Penn State Extension’s efforts to educate and share information, educators will be hosting a webinar series on ticks and tick-borne diseases this month.

Ag Sciences receives donor support for Millennium Scholars Program

May 6, 2021

The Penn State Millennium Scholars Program in the College of Agricultural Sciences has received a generous increase in support thanks to philanthropic gifts from two of the college’s alumni.

Master Gardeners' 'Seed to Supper' program grows food options for families

May 5, 2021

A six-week course offered by Penn State Extension’s Master Gardeners — “Seed to Supper” — teaches new gardeners how to successfully grow a portion of their food on a limited budget. Classes are underway in 13 counties, with more locations to follow as interest in the program grows.

Online ecosystems management and administration program sees first graduate

May 4, 2021

The master’s degree opened in 2019 and marks this milestone in the spring 2021 commencement ceremonies.

Philanthropist and business leader Skip Smith endows directorship for Arboretum

May 4, 2021

Charles H. “Skip” Smith, the Penn State alumnus and philanthropist who launched construction on The Arboretum at Penn State with a landmark gift in 2007, has made a new $3 million commitment to ensure strong leadership for the Arboretum far into the future.

Mutant corn gene boosts sugar in seeds, leaves, may lead to breeding better crop

May 3, 2021

An abnormal build up of carbohydrates — sugars and starches — in the kernels and leaves of a mutant line of corn can be traced to one misregulated gene, and that discovery offers clues about how the plant deals with stress.

Penn State, University of Freiburg partner to form Virtual Classroom Project

May 3, 2021

In 2020, Penn State and the University of Freiburg launched a pilot program to create collaborative, integrated virtual classroom courses by providing development and implementation money to faculty teams. Both projects provide opportunities for students to collaborate virtually to address important energy and environmental concerns.

Penn State students recognized for leadership and service awards

April 29, 2021

Penn State recognized its recipients for Student Organization and Involvement Awards and Student Service and Leadership Awards during the week of April 26.

Innovative platform developed at Penn State monitors pests, predicts problems

April 27, 2021

Scott Isard, an aerobiologist in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, and his team created an internet-based monitoring and modeling system, the Integrated Pest Information Platform for Extension and Education Cooperative Agricultural Project, that can help growers monitor and anticipate pest problems and take appropriate action before crops are damaged.

Students use The Lions Pantry as a prototype to help fight hunger nationwide

April 27, 2021

For some students on the Penn State University Park campus, hunger is a primary concern each day. The Lion’s Pantry was created to address this concern by providing food and supplies to students so they can shift their attention from food insecurity to being a student. This semester, two teams of students brought together by the Nittany AI Challenge are taking that strategy a bit further to include a plan to balance nutritional needs of students while eliminating food waste in the community. They are making this vision a reality by combining their efforts with The Lion’s Pantry to design prototypes that can assist food banks on a national scale to further serve their clients and communities.

Spanish for Agriculture courses build bridges and meet industry need

April 23, 2021

Students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences can fulfill their language requirements with a series of introductory and intermediate-level Spanish for Agriculture language and culture courses designed to benefit both students and industry.

Penn State launches new artificial intelligence center for engineered systems

April 23, 2021

A newly founded, interdisciplinary research center established to further foundational and applied artificial intelligence in engineered systems will be housed in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the Penn State College of Engineering.

Cranial Devices Inc. wins $75,000 in virtual tech tournament

April 22, 2021

Invent Penn State’s 2021 virtual Tech Tournament showcased eight of Penn State’s most disruptive innovations and early-stage startups born out of Penn State’s research enterprise. The winner of the $75,000 top prize, Cranial Devices Inc. (CDI), was led by Barry Fell, a consultant for the Surgery Innovation Group in the Department of Surgery at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. He co-founded CDI with Dr. Randy Haluck, professor of surgery at Penn State College of Medicine.

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)