Plant pathologist receives grant to develop disease management tools for wheat

July 21, 2020

Paul Esker, a plant pathologist in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has received a $455,000 grant from the U.S Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to support a five-year integrated research and extension project designed to improve management recommendations for wheat.

Harnessing biomass, manure to fuel farms through multi-institutional project

July 21, 2020

A $10 million federal grant will power a multi-institutional consortium aiming to create new value chains on U.S. farms, including methods for farmers to make more efficient use of resources with an emphasis on the generation of renewable natural gas, improved rural economic outcomes and protection of the environment.

10 alumni leaders appointed to Alumni Council

July 20, 2020

Ten alumni leaders have been voted onto Alumni Council -- the Alumni Association’s governing board and began their terms July 1. Listed are the 10 appointed alumni in alphabetical order, along with graduation year(s) and academic college:

Bridging divides: Penn State, Delta program partnership inspires youth activism

July 20, 2020

Penn State graduate students in an advanced course, titled “Applied Youth, Family and Community Education 535: Youth Civic Development,” served as civic engagement mentors to middle- and high-school students in “Bridging Divides: Exploring Diversity and Social Justice,” a class offered through the State College Area School District's Delta program.

Global COVID-19 impact on gender inequities in agriculture is focus of new blog

July 20, 2020

Reflecting on the challenges, but more importantly, the triumphs of women in agriculture in the era of COVID-19 was the impetus for the blog, “Gender, Food, Agriculture, and the Coronavirus,” created by gender scholars in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Climate scientists increasingly ignore ecological role of indigenous peoples

July 20, 2020

In their zeal to promote the importance of climate change as an ecological driver, climate scientists increasingly are ignoring the profound role that indigenous peoples played in fire and vegetation dynamics, not only in the eastern United States but worldwide, according to a Penn State researcher.

Penn State Creamery to reopen July 20 with limited hours, new procedures

July 17, 2020

The Penn State Berkey Creamery will reopen Monday, July 20, with limited hours and new procedures.

Gary Thompson leaves his mark on Penn State's agricultural research enterprise

July 17, 2020

Gary Thompson, associate dean for research and graduate education and director of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, will step down, effective July 31. He will start Aug. 24 as the executive director of the Southern Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors.

Ecology Institute announces grant recipients

July 15, 2020

The Ecology Institute has awarded 11 proposals from across the University as part of its Flower Grant program, including five projects submitted by faculty at Commonwealth Campuses. The funds provided by the Flower Grant aim to support ecology research focused across the institute’s five core themes.

NSF CAREER grant supports entomologist in study of sterility mechanisms in bees

July 13, 2020

A grant of more than $1 million from the National Science Foundation will support a researcher in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences in a study of mechanisms that induce sterility in social insects. Etya Amsalem, assistant professor of entomology, received the award from the prestigious NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program.

Todd A. Jackson named director of Animal Resource Program at Penn State

July 10, 2020

Dr. Todd A. Jackson, who holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine and is recognized as a Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine, has been named director of the Animal Resource Program at Penn State.

Land-use webinar to focus on protecting pedestrians at crosswalks

July 10, 2020

Pedestrian and cyclists’ safety in community settings will be the topic of a web-based seminar offered by Penn State Extension at noon on July 15.

Animal science embedded course gets creative with virtual experience

July 10, 2020

Although the travel portion of their study abroad class was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, animal science students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences still experienced a “virtual” Ireland while learning about the equine industry in Pennsylvania.

Researchers to create a roadmap for fostering successful agritourism enterprises

July 9, 2020

A team of researchers led by a Penn State agricultural economist will receive $500,000 over three years to study agritourism in the United States and to develop research-based information and guidance for farmers looking to diversify their incomes through agritourism activities.

Gall fly outmaneuvers host plant in game of 'Spy vs. Spy'

July 9, 2020

Over time goldenrod plants and the gall flies that feed on them have been one-upping each other in an ongoing competition for survival. Now, a team of researchers has discovered that by detecting the plants’ chemical defenses, the insects may have taken the lead.

Childhood experiences and exposure to combat linked to poorer mental health

July 8, 2020

A recent study of approximately 9,000 new post-9/11 veterans conducted by researchers at the Clearinghouse for Military Readiness at Penn State and Veterans Affairs examined how exposure to various stressors was related to their current mental health.

College of Ag Sciences alumnus receives Diana Award for humanitarian work

July 8, 2020

Shah Rafayat Chowdhury, a 2018 graduate of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has received the Diana Award, one of the highest accolades a young person can achieve for social action or humanitarian effort.

Sensation seekers, risk-takers who experience more bitterness apt to drink IPAs

July 8, 2020

People who seek novel and powerful sensations and are more prone to taking risks — and who perceive bitter tastes more intensely — are more likely to prefer bitter, pale-ale-style beers and drink them more often, according to Penn State sensory researchers, who conducted a study that involved blind taste tests and personality assessments.

Custom nanoparticle regresses tumors when exposed to light

July 7, 2020

A team of Penn State researchers is collaborating on a potential new method to treat cancer by delivering a unique nanoparticle to a localized cancerous area in mice and activating the treatment through light exposure.

Antioxidants in corn line could aid human IBD protection, therapy

July 6, 2020

Flavonoids from a specific line of corn act as anti-inflammatory agents in the guts of mice with an inflammatory-bowel-disease-like condition, according to a team of researchers who said flavonoid-rich corn should be studied to determine its potential to provide a protective effect on human health.

Virgil inspires donor to create endowed professorship in College of Ag Sciences

July 6, 2020

Thanks to a $1 million gift from an anonymous donor, the College of Agricultural Sciences and the Department of Entomology have established the Publius Vergilius Maro Professorship.

Protecting dogs from harmful algae blooms focus of Penn State Extension webinar

July 2, 2020

Keeping dogs and other animals safe from toxic algae blooms in water is the focus of a free Penn State Extension webinar slated for 7 p.m. on July 23.

Grants move College of Ag Sciences research toward commercialization

July 1, 2020

Three research projects that have great potential to be successful in the marketplace have received grants through a Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences program designed to spur innovation.

Center for Security Research and Education announces seed grant awardees

June 30, 2020

The Center for Security Research and Education (CSRE) has selected 13 interdisciplinary projects through its spring 2020 seed grant program. CSRE is providing a total of $300,000 in funding for the projects, with an additional $300,000 in matching and supplemental funding from other colleges, departments, and institutes.

Checklist of Pa. bees documents 49 new species and some that may be endangered

June 29, 2020

A study documenting bees that are reported to occur in Pennsylvania has found the presence of 437 species, including 49 never before recorded in the state.

College of Agricultural Sciences alum reflects on lessons learned at Penn State

June 29, 2020

Nelson Gaydos, an outreach specialist with the American Association of Meat Processors, credits his education and experiences at Penn State for helping him to meet the challenges of the food industry.

Project to study pandemic impacts on Alaskan salmon season

June 26, 2020

Penn State is part of a research team conducting surveys with fishery participants and residents to better understand the costs and benefits of varied mitigation policies and developing pandemic preparedness scenarios in Bristol Bay, Alaska, home to the world's largest commercial sockeye salmon fishery.

Pollinator project supports biodiversity at Penn State Orchard Road solar array

June 25, 2020

An innovative project is creating a buzz around Penn State’s University Park campus, especially among the many species of pollinators that call Centre County home.

Penn State Extension educator offers advice on insecticide use for lanternflies

June 25, 2020

As summer progresses — and spotted lanternflies make themselves at home just about anywhere, including on residential properties — frustrated homeowners might find themselves wrestling with the idea of using insecticides to vanquish the insect interlopers. Before doing so, homeowners should do their research, weigh the pros and cons, and seek professional advice if needed

New products available at Penn State Berkey Creamery

June 24, 2020

The Penn State Berkey Creamery is offering new items that are guaranteed to make summer, or any season, much cooler.

Media Contacts

  • Senior Public Relations Specialist/News Editor
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  • Public Relations Specialist/Science Writer
  • Science and News Writer
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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)