Combating mosquito-borne diseases with bacteria

June 10, 2019

Viruses, spread through mosquito bites, cause human illnesses such as dengue fever, Zika and yellow fever. A new control technique harnesses a naturally occurring bacterium called Wolbachia that blocks replication of viruses and breaks the cycle of mosquito-borne disease, according to an international team of researchers.

Northeastern deer more susceptible to wasting disease than those to the west

June 6, 2019

Some deer are more susceptible to chronic wasting disease that is spreading through herds of white-tailed deer across much of the United States, according to Penn State researchers, who have identified a panel of genetic markers that reliably predict which animals are most vulnerable to the contagious neurological disorder.

Alumnus honors father, entomology department with professorship

June 5, 2019

The inspiration behind a person’s philanthropy can come from a variety of sources. For alumnus Dr. Roger Simon, it stems from two places: the Penn State Department of Entomology and his father, Sam Simon.

Annual Penn State Flower Trials is a labor of love for organizers, volunteers

June 5, 2019

Each May, Sinclair Adam, Alyssa Collins, and a pack of faithful staff and volunteers at Penn State’s Southeast Agricultural Research and Extension Center pull off a logistical — and exhausting — feat, all for the love of flowers.

Penn State Berkey Creamery named a stop on state ice cream trail

June 5, 2019

Penn State Berkey Creamery has been designated as one of the sweet stops on the Pennsylvania Ice Cream Trail, a collaboration among visitPA.com, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, PA Preferred, the Center for Dairy Excellence and, of course, local cows, including those from the Penn State Dairy Barns.

Hales named director of Penn State Extension

June 4, 2019

Brent Hales, senior associate dean and chief financial officer of the University of Minnesota Extension, has been named director of Penn State Extension and associate dean in the College of Agricultural Sciences, effective Sept. 3.

Visiting Zamorano University students embrace Penn State experience

June 3, 2019

Students from Zamorano University in Honduras experienced a taste of American culture and college life by studying at Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences during the spring 2019 semester.

Student Farm to host Summer Solstice Celebration on June 21

June 3, 2019

The Penn State Student Farm will host its third annual Summer Solstice Celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. on June 21. The event will have local food trucks selling dishes made with produce grown at the farm. Aside from food trucks, there are several activities for guests to engage in, including live music, face painting, corn hole and planting. The celebration is open to the public and there is no cost to attend.

Students receive 2019 Whiting Indigenous Knowledge Student Research Awards

June 3, 2019

The Interinstitutional Center for Indigenous Knowledge has selected the winners of its 2019 Whiting Indigenous Knowledge Student Research Awards, funded by the M. G. Whiting Endowment for the Advancement of Indigenous Knowledge. Applicants must be Penn State students planning to conduct research related to an approved topic for an undergraduate capstone course, honors thesis topic, master’s or doctoral thesis, or similar.

College of Agricultural Sciences students chosen for Fulbright Awards

May 31, 2019

Tessa Sontheimer and Geoff Merz, graduates of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, have been named recipients of Fulbright Study Awards.

New records show spread of parasitic deer flies across the US

May 30, 2019

With flattened bodies, grabbing forelegs and deciduous wings, deer keds do not look like your typical fly. These parasites of deer — which occasionally bite humans — are more widely distributed across the U.S. than previously thought, according to Penn State entomologists, who caution that deer keds may transmit disease-causing bacteria.

Penn State students take a global look at sustainable agriculture in Costa Rica

May 24, 2019

A group of Penn State students explored a different type of classroom when they traveled to the tropics over spring break as part of the embedded course “Environmental Resource Management 499: Costa Rica Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources,” offered in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

Veterinary student uses her learning in the U.S. to study abroad in Belize

May 23, 2019

Erika Del Pilar, a veterinary and biomedical sciences major, has regularly been involved in the veterinary field during her time at Penn State. In an interview with Taylor Graham, a Student Engagement Network intern, Del Pilar talks about how she was able to take what she learned in the classroom and practice it first-hand overseas.

Penn State Extension Master Gardeners to host international conference

May 21, 2019

Master gardeners from around the globe will convene at the Valley Forge Casino Resort in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, June 17-21, as the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners host the International Master Gardener Conference, a biennial gathering that has been celebrating sustainable horticulture and environmental stewardship since its inception in 1987.

Eastern forests shaped more by Native Americans' burning than climate change

May 21, 2019

Native Americans' use of fire to manage vegetation in what is now the Eastern United States was more profound than previously believed, according to a Penn State researcher who determined that forest composition change in the region was caused more by land use than climate change.

Penn State to host first international conference on Project Drawdown research

May 20, 2019

From Sept. 16 to 18, Penn State, in partnership with Project Drawdown, will hold the first international conference to learn about and discuss the science underlying Drawdown’s portfolio of 100 solutions aimed at reversing global warming.

Six Penn State faculty receive Fulbright awards for 2019-20

May 17, 2019

Penn State has a long tradition of Fulbright success. Six Penn State faculty members have been awarded for the 2019-2020 cycle.

PROSPER conference convenes experts and youth to help prevent substance abuse

May 17, 2019

“We are now addressing a generation that could become addicted if they take a pill a few times. Prevention is critical,” said Steve Forzato, Deputy Chief of Statewide Drug Initiatives for the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, to the audience assembled May 14 at the Ruth Pike Auditorium, for the 17th annual PROSPER statewide conference.

3D-printed Mars habitat team has breakthrough, finishes second in NASA challenge

May 16, 2019

During NASA’s 3D-Printed Mars Habitat Challenge in Peoria, Illinois, in early May, Penn State fell just short of besting its friendly rival AI SpaceFactory. But in the process, the team engineered a breakthrough that moves forward 3D-printing construction research and pushes the team closer to the goal of creating sustainable housing on Earth.

Annual Penn State Quarter Horse sale shatters records, draws large crowd

May 16, 2019

The 17th annual Penn State Equine Science Showcase and Quarter Horse Sale was the most successful in the equine program’s history, bringing in just over $100,000, according to organizers.

Native forest plants rebound when invasive shrubs are removed

May 14, 2019

Removing invasive shrubs to restore native forest habitat brings a surprising result, according to Penn State researchers, who say desired native understory plants display an unexpected ability and vigor to recolonize open spots.

Protecting pollinators: Penn Staters working to reverse bee population declines

May 14, 2019

Within the past decade, beekeepers across the globe have observed massive declines in managed honey bee populations. Given their critical role in the nation’s agricultural industry, Penn State’s Christina Grozinger and the Center for Pollinator Research are implementing creative approaches to protecting bee populations in Pennsylvania and beyond.

Plant pathology, environmental microbiology doctoral student receives NSF award

May 13, 2019

Laura Kaminsky, a doctoral student in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, will be able to advance her research interests in plant pathology after receiving a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Big Ten Academic Alliance Department Executive Officer Fellows named for 2019-20

May 13, 2019

The Big Ten Academic Alliance’s Department Executive Officers Program has gained five additional Fellows from the Penn State ranks. Through the program, participants who have demonstrated exceptional ability through University administrative assignments or other significant positions in public, private or professional organizations, are aided in further developing their leadership and managerial skills.

Send Us Your Best Research Photo!

May 13, 2019

"Research/Penn State" magazine is looking for a superb research-related image to be published on its “At Large” pages in the Fall 2019 issue.

Students for Cultivating Change hosts webinar on inclusion and diversity in ag

May 9, 2019

The Students for Cultivating Change organization in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences recently hosted a webinar focusing on inclusion and diversity in agriculture, which was presented by Ashlee Davis, the global lead for external affairs for Cargill, a privately held corporation headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

'Two farm kids' grow into their roles as community contributors

May 8, 2019

Lam and Lina Hood grew up in farm families who subsisted on the basics, but they always found ways to enjoy various events and give back to their communities. The couple’s volunteerism and unwavering support for the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State—as ushers for more than 20 years and members since the mid-2000s—earned the Hoods the center’s 2019 Distinguished Service Award.

Institutes of Energy and the Environment announces seed grant recipients

May 7, 2019

The 2018–19 Institutes of Energy and the Environment seed grant recipients have been awarded to 18 groups of interdisciplinary researchers at Penn State.

Libraries' 2019 research prizes honor 13 students at University Park events

May 7, 2019

Penn State University Libraries awards recognized three outstanding undergraduate thesis authors as well as one graduate student and nine undergraduate student researchers, all exhibiting exemplary scholarly research methods and communication at University Park campus presentations this spring.

Surprise family reunion for basketball's Zemgulis during commencement weekend

May 6, 2019

Former Nittany Lion basketball forward Deivis Zemgulis’ collegiate career in the United States is officially complete. Returning to his native Lithuania, he’ll be bringing back many memories from his experiences as an NCAA Division I student-athlete at one of the top universities in the world, and the memory of a surprise family reunion courtesy of coach Pat Chambers.

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)