Witzig named director of Penn State's Center for Security Research and Education

October 25, 2022

Lisa Witzig has been appointed director of Penn State’s Center for Security Research and Education. CSRE was created in 2017 to provide an interdisciplinary approach to security-related topics across Penn State and consists of 11 contributing academic and research units from across the University.

Penn State one of only two U.S. universities with two UNESCO chairs

October 24, 2022

A UNESCO chair provides opportunities for connection, funding, and program support from UNESCO to create and implement programs on an international level. It is a way to provide opportunities for research to create impact on a broad scale in a short amount of time. Penn State holds the honor of being one of two universities in the United States, along with Universidad de Puerto Rico, that is home to two UNESCO chairs.

Lower than normal rainfall linked with a higher chance of food insecurity

October 24, 2022

Food insecurity is a growing problem in certain parts of the world, especially as climate change affects weather conditions around the globe. New research led by Penn State found that a lack of rainfall was associated with the highest risk of food insecurity in Tanzania.

Prescribed fire could reduce tick populations and pathogen transmission

October 21, 2022

Prescribed fire — a tool increasingly used by forest managers and landowners to combat invasive species, improve wildlife habitat and restore ecosystem health — also could play a role in reducing the abundance of ticks and the transmission of disease pathogens they carry, according to a team of scientists.  

Penn State Soil Judging Team places 3rd at regional tourney; headed to nationals

October 20, 2022

Penn State’s student Soil Judging Team recently captured third place overall in a regional competition, edging out the University of Maryland, to qualify for the national championships next spring.

Grapevines may only need help to survive heavy spotted lanternfly infestations

October 20, 2022

While heavy infestations of spotted lanternfly on grapevines — especially in successive years — can result in their demise, most vines may be able to survive lighter infestations with few ill effects, according to a study by Penn State researchers.

Penn State alum presents her NASA space garden research to current students

October 20, 2022

Senior Life Sciences Project Scientist Gioia Massa, who conducts space plant biology research at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with a focus on growing edible vegetables aboard the International Space Station, recently presented a talk about the extraordinary places her career has taken her.

Entomologist asks Pennsylvania hunters for help in deer ‘keds’ research effort

October 19, 2022

A Penn State entomologist is asking Pennsylvania deer hunters for help with research on biting flies that are active in the fall, which may be vectors of dangerous disease.

Penn State grad makes footsteps around the globe to benefit Bangladesh

October 18, 2022

Penn State grad Shah Rafayat Chowdhury is making a difference across the globe with his organization dedicated to empowering communities by helping them build the right skills and technologies to overcome social challenges.

Buzzy new exhibit opens at the Frost Entomological Museum

October 16, 2022

A new exhibit at the Frost Entomological Museum is aimed at cultivating awareness about gall wasps and showcasing their beauty and diversity. The exhibit also highlights current research on these insects by faculty in the Department of Entomology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Philanthropy helps Penn State and Penn Staters to impact the world

October 13, 2022

"A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence" concluded on June 30, raising more than $2.2 billion for the three key imperatives of a modern land-grant institution: opening the doors of higher education to students from every background; creating transformative experiences for both students and citizens; and impacting the larger world through research, outreach and service. While the nearly $844.5 million raised for the last imperative advanced a wide range of priorities across the University, the campaign focused attention on three opportunities for impact: economic development, resource security, and human health.

Land-use webinar to focus on planning to protect natural assets

October 12, 2022

An upcoming Penn State Extension land-use webinar will focus on “green corridors” and “blue corridors,” terms that describe terrestrial and riparian corridors established to enhance and maintain existing habitats by connecting fragmented and isolated ecosystems. The last several years have seen a significant rise in the number of these corridors.  

University Libraries to host virtual Open Access Week panel on climate justice

October 12, 2022

Penn State University Libraries will participate in the 14th annual global observation of Open Access Week, Oct. 24–30, by hosting a virtual panel of Penn State faculty at noon Tuesday, Oct. 25. The panelists will discuss questions related to this year’s theme for Open Access Week, which is “Open for Climate Justice.”

Penn College brewing instructor to deliver Penn State Extension webinar

October 11, 2022

Timothy L. Yarrington, Pennsylvania College of Technology’s brewing and fermentation science instructor, will present a free Penn State Extension webinar from 7 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24. “Brewers Guide to Water and Beer Varieties” will explore how to use an existing water source to make a variety of beer styles.

Researchers to holistically assess buildings' thermal resilience, sustainability

October 11, 2022

With a four-year, $500,000 NSF grant, a Penn State team led by Penn State Associate Professor of Architectural Engineering Julian Wang is developing a new holistic framework to understand the relationship between thermal resilience and sustainable design strategies for buildings and communities.

Gugino named assistant dean for graduate education in College of Ag Sciences

October 7, 2022

Beth Gugino, professor of plant pathology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has been named assistant dean for graduate education in the college.

Research team gets CDC grant to strengthen infectious disease surveillance

October 6, 2022

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has funded a $750,000 grant for research by a team of Penn State scientists to strengthen infectious disease surveillance, detection, and preparedness by developing an accessible bioinformatics platform and tools for utilization by the CDC’s Laboratory Response Network.

Rabbit virus has evolved to become more deadly, new research finds

October 6, 2022

A common misconception is that viruses become milder over time as they become endemic within a population. Yet new research, led by Penn State and the University of Sydney, reveals that a virus — called myxoma —that affects rabbits has become more deadly over time. The findings highlight the need for rigorous monitoring of human viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, monkeypox and polio, for increased virulence.

Berkey Creamery products nab top awards at national dairy product contest

October 5, 2022

At this year’s World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest, the Berkey Creamery earned two first-place awards for its butter pecan ice cream and black raspberry frozen yogurt. It also brought home a third-place trophy in the sharp cheddar category. 

Research Unplugged continues its fall speaker series

October 5, 2022

Research Unplugged is a collaboration between Penn State’s Office of Government and Community Relations and Schlow Centre Region Library. Research talks continue Oct. 6 and will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. each Thursday through Oct. 20. The Oct. 6 and Oct. 13 events will be held in the Schlow Community Room, with the final talk on Oct. 20 happening at the Pasto Agricultural Museum.  

Bull steps down at Microbiome Center, looks forward to future innovation

October 3, 2022

After more than five years at the helm of Penn State’s Microbiome Center, founding director Carolee Bull has stepped down. Though she will continue serving as department head of plant pathology and environmental microbiology and as a professor of plant pathology and systematic bacteriology at Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, Bull has handed off leadership of the Microbiome Center to recent Penn State hire Seth Bordentstein.

Penn State work featured as part of Tallinn Architecture Biennale

September 29, 2022

An architectural proposal for disaster relief and emergency assistance that was designed by faculty members from the College of Arts and Architecture and the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State is featured in the Tallinn Architecture Biennale at the Estonian Museum of Architecture in Tallinn, Estonia, through November.

Full circle on the farm: Penn State alum returns to help educate Pa. growers

September 28, 2022

When Penn State alum Sara Hricko first came to the University as an undergrad, she had every intention of graduating with a degree in mathematics. But one elective in the College of Agricultural Sciences ending up changing the course of her education, and eventually, her career.

Researchers get USDA-NIFA grant to study corn-soil fungi interactions, symbiosis

September 23, 2022

A team of Penn State plant scientists has received a grant of nearly $1.25 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study the interactions between corn and soil fungi, with the aim of boosting crop resilience and production.

College of Ag Sciences faculty member receives NACTA Murray Brown Award

September 22, 2022

Daniel Foster, associate professor of agricultural and extension education in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, is the 2022 North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Murray Brown Award recipient.

Tailgating this football season? Avoid a food safety fumble

September 22, 2022

Planning to tailgate or “homegate” this football season? As fans fire up grills in anticipation of the game, Penn State Extension food safety experts offer tips and strategies to help block foodborne illness before it intercepts your fun.

14 Penn State alumni to receive Alumni Fellow Award

September 21, 2022

Fourteen Penn State alumni will receive the Alumni Fellow Award, the most prestigious award given by the Penn State Alumni Association, during a ceremony Sept. 28 at the State Theatre in downtown State College. This year’s award ceremony will be livestreamed for remote viewing.

New grant continues Arctic research addressing climate change and communities

September 21, 2022

The National Science Foundation’s Navigating the New Arctic program recently awarded researchers from Penn State and the University of New Hampshire a $3 million grant to examine earthquake impacts on community well-being and perception and preparedness toward potential earthquakes.

Mixed cover crops capture carbon in soil, could help mitigate climate change

September 21, 2022

When it comes to adding carbon to the soil, all cover crops don’t perform equally, according to a team of researchers whose new study revealed the disparity for the first time.

Heard on Campus: Sarah Bordenstein, The Wolbachia Project

September 20, 2022

Sarah Bordenstein, associate research professor in the Eberly College of Science, and director of "Discover the Microbes Within! The Wolbachia Project," on Sept. 13 talked about this pioneering project on biodiversity, biotechnology and bioinformatics that brings real-world scientific research and discoveries to middle, high school and college students worldwide.

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)