Engineering’s Bock soars to first place in additive manufacturing competition

June 27, 2017

Initially, Randall Bock simply wanted to make a rocket for his son’s sixth birthday party. Now Bock, instructor in engineering design and agricultural research assistant, has launched his interest in 3D printing and rockets into first place, winning Stratasys’s Learning Center of Excellence 3D printing competition.

Research progressing on how to spur wide use of aviation biofuels

June 26, 2017

Slowed as much by extremely low oil prices as supply-chain and technological challenges, the effort to integrate biofuels into the nation's aviation fuel supply is nonetheless progressing, according to a researcher in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

Malting barley research at Penn State aims to support craft beer industry

June 22, 2017

The popularity of the craft beer industry has caught the attention of researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, including Greg Roth, who's spearheading research in malting barley -- a key ingredient in craft beer production -- with a goal of helping Pennsylvania farmers benefit.

Hennessey, Theiss named new executive directors of development

June 21, 2017

Tina Hennessey and Mark Theiss have been selected to fill executive director positions in Penn State’s Division of Development and Alumni Relations.

Researchers studying impact of warming conditions on woodland salamanders

June 19, 2017

Researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences are spearheading a four-year-old collaborative effort to assess the impact of a warming climate on the Eastern red-backed salamander, a creature that lives on or under the forest floor.

Grape-based compounds kill colon cancer stem cells in mice

June 19, 2017

A compound made from grape skins and grape seeds killed colon cancer stem cells in mice, according to researchers. The study, along with previous studies on the low incidence of colon cancer in populations that tend to eat plants, may also offer clues to the role that foods play in suppressing and treating cancer.

Penn State researchers receive grant to develop new contraception technology

June 15, 2017

Francisco Diaz, associate professor of reproductive biology in the College of Agricultural Sciences, and Pak Kin Wong, professor of biomedical engineering in the College of Engineering, have received a grant through the Grand Challenges Explorations program — an initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation — to develop a novel approach to contraception.

Kulcsar tapped to lead Department of Ag Economics, Sociology, and Education

June 14, 2017

Laszlo Kulcsar, professor of sociology and head of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work at Kansas State University, will join Penn State as head of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education, effective Aug. 1.

Scientists to study how soil health is influenced by pest-management tactics

June 14, 2017

An entomologist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study and compare how various pest-management regimes affect the health of soils. John Tooker, associate professor of entomology, will lead the project, which is titled "Exploring Soil Health and Pest Management Trade Offs to Maximize Crop Productivity."

Penn State Extension educators develop plan to educate plain sect on food safety

June 13, 2017

Penn State Extension educators have developed food-safety training programs to accommodate the cultural norms of plain sect — Amish and Mennonite — farmers.

Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit honored by U.S. Geological Survey

June 12, 2017

The Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences has received the Excellence of Science Award from the U.S. Geological Survey.

Webinar looks at recent shale gas legislative, regulatory developments

June 12, 2017

While Pennsylvania shale gas permits hit an eight-year low in 2016, issues relating to leasing, operations, air quality and royalties have been in the news, and numerous legislative bills and regulatory changes have been proposed to respond to these issues. A web-based seminar offered by Penn State Extension will provide a current legislative and regulatory update pertaining to shale energy.

Backyard poultry present Salmonella risk -- take precautions to stay safe

June 9, 2017

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this spring reports that there are eight ongoing outbreaks of Salmonella in 47 states linked to backyard poultry in the United States. As of May 13, 71 people had been hospitalized — 36 percent of those infected are children under the age of 5. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported.

Spicing up diet of transition dairy cows may be good for their health

June 9, 2017

Americans drink more than 6 billion gallons of milk per year, and another 10 billion gallons are used to produce cheese, not to mention the milk that goes into products such as ice cream and yogurt. Yet, it's safe to say, most consumers take the wellbeing of dairy cows for granted. But the country's 65,000 dairy farmers don't -- they can't afford to.

State Sen. Judith Schwank to receive Friend of Penn State Legislative Award

June 8, 2017

Pennsylvania state Sen. Judith L. Schwank, D-11th District, will receive the 12th annual Friend of Penn State Legislative Award for the significant role she has played in the continued improvement of Penn State.

Penn State professor wins Young Professional Award in international agriculture

June 7, 2017

Melanie Miller Foster, assistant professor of international agriculture in the Office of International Programs, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, received the 2017 Young Professional Award from the Association for International Agriculture and Rural Development.

Three honored for commitment to diversity in College of Agricultural Sciences

June 7, 2017

Three individuals have received the 2017 Dr. William Henson Diversity Achievement Award from Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, an honor that recognizes distinctive and outstanding teaching, research, extension or creative work that advances diversity in the college.

Ag sciences student completes prescribed fire experience at Fort Indiantown Gap

June 6, 2017

Francis Alvaré, a forest ecosystem management major with a minor in military studies, assisted the National Guard's forestry department in a series of prescribed fires on training facilities as part of an independent study program in the spring of 2017.

Higher tick populations or not, take precautions against Lyme disease

June 6, 2017

Recent media reports have suggested that tick populations in Pennsylvania may be particularly high this year, leading to an increased risk of Lyme disease in the state. Although it is unclear whether the number of ticks actually is higher this spring — and if so, why — it nonetheless is always a good idea to take precautions to avoid ticks and the diseases they can transmit, according to entomologists in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

Penn State joins International Phytobiomes Alliance

June 6, 2017

In keeping with Penn State's recent focus on microbiome research, the University will join the International Alliance for Phytobiomes Research as a sponsoring partner, both organizations announced on June 6. An international, nonprofit consortium of academic institutions, large and small companies, and governmental agencies, the Phytobiomes Alliance was established in 2016 to coordinate public-private research projects on various aspects of agriculturally relevant phytobiomes.

From brook trout to walleyes, warming waters to play havoc with fisheries

June 4, 2017

A few degrees, on average, can make a huge difference in lakes and streams as aquatic species struggle to compete and in some cases survive, and that's why a warming climate is of concern to fisheries managers.

Penn State Food Science Department marks 'first' in USDA's GenomeTrakr

June 1, 2017

The Department of Food Science in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences recently became the first such department in the country -- and the University became one of just a few academic institutions -- to take the lead for their state in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's GenomeTrakr network.

Energy challenges discussed at recent conference

May 30, 2017

Energy leaders from around the country took part in the second annual Energy Days conference on May 22–23 at The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center. The group sought to identify and address the energy challenges facing our society.

Young adult substance abuse down 41 percent among PROSPER program participants

May 30, 2017

PROSPER, a community-based preventive intervention system, delivered in middle school, shows that participants had up to a 41 percent reduction in substance abuse during the first year after leaving high school.

Gift to Penn State will support ongoing research in food safety, energy

May 24, 2017

When it comes to global challenges, there are none more pressing to Penn State alumni Frank and Janet Glasgow Dudek than food safety and clean energy. They are passionate about finding solutions to those challenges, and that's why they are providing $50,000 to Penn State to lead the way.

Chronic wasting disease research with deer in Pa. becomes more crucial

May 23, 2017

The recent announcement by the Pennsylvania Game Commission that it found 25 more wild deer with chronic wasting disease last year underlines the importance of studies being conducted by a team of researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

Research focuses on reclaiming strip-mine sites for biofuel crop production

May 23, 2017

Marvin Hall, a researcher in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, is currently working a project to bring highly productive life back to damaged land by planting a crop — switchgrass — that can be used as an alternative fuel source.

Animal science major Gabel stands out from the herd

May 23, 2017

Amber Gabel leveraged the academics, scholarship options, internship programs, and alumni network in the College of Agricultural Sciences to prepare for a career in dairy cattle genetics.

Penn State announces fixed-term faculty promotions, effective July 1, 2017

May 22, 2017

The following is a list of Penn State fixed-term faculty promotions, effective July 1.

Penn State promotions in academic rank, effective July 1, 2017

May 22, 2017

The following is a list of academic promotions for tenured and tenure-line faculty members at Penn State, effective July 1.

Media Contacts

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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)