David Eissenstat elected Fellow of Ecological Society of America

February 10, 2017

David Eissenstat, professor of woody plant physiology in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, College of Agricultural Sciences, Penn State, has been elected as a Fellow of the Ecological Society of America.

How best to treat infections and tumors

February 10, 2017

A new research analysis provides physicians and patients with new information to help them make difficult decisions about how to treat tumors and infections. The research identifies the factors that determine which of two possible approaches will best improve a patient's outcomes: containing a tumor or infection at tolerable levels, or aggressive treatments aimed at eliminating as much of the tumor or infection as possible.

James and Helen Zallie pledge support for sensory science research

February 6, 2017

James (Jim) P. Zallie and Helen Zallie, of Lake Forest, Illinois, have pledged $20,000 each year over the next five years to enhance research in the field of sensory science within the Department of Food Science in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

New database connects Penn State with Pennsylvania schools

February 6, 2017

Navigate Education in PA, created by the staff at Penn State's Center for Science and the Schools, is an online database that contains information on more than 4,800 Pennsylvania education agencies, including public, private and charter schools; intermediate units; career and technology centers; and higher education institutions.

Penn State creates new center for microbiome research

February 3, 2017

A University-wide effort to promote the study of microbiomes at Penn State has led to the creation of a center for microbiome research, a fast-growing area of scientific inquiry. Microbiomes are the communities of microorganisms that live on or in people, plants, soil, oceans and the atmosphere.

Penn State turf paved graduate's path to Super Bowl

February 1, 2017

Collin Meyers, a 2010 graduate of the turfgrass science program in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, will accompany the Atlanta Falcons as they take the field at the Super Bowl in Houston on Sunday. Meyers, a State College native, has been a grounds assistant for the Falcons for the past three seasons.

Graduate Educational Equity Programs offers professional development workshop

February 1, 2017

The Office of Graduate Educational Equity Programs at Penn State is holding a professional development workshop, "CAREERS: Exploring Options Afforded by a Penn State Graduate Education" from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, in the Faculty Staff Club Room at the Nittany Lion Inn on the University Park campus.

Land-use webinar to focus on municipal subdivision, land development review

January 31, 2017

What Pennsylvania local governments and their residents need to understand about getting developments such as houses, businesses and community facilities built will be the topic of a web-based seminar offered by Penn State Extension.

Penn State agricultural sciences students excel at National Forage Bowl

January 27, 2017

Representatives from the Penn State Agronomy Club, a student organization in the College of Agricultural Sciences, took first place at the National Forage Bowl competition at the American Forage and Grassland Conference, held Jan. 23-24 in Roanoke, Virginia. The competition requires students to identify forage and weed species and answer questions about many aspects of forages, from seeds to animal health, in a format similar to the popular game show "Jeopardy!"

From strangers to business partners: Internship plants seeds of collaboration

January 26, 2017

Although Alyssa Gurkis and Hayly Hoch are both students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, they didn’t know each other when they embarked on a 10-week food-system internship last summer with Penn State Extension-Allegheny County. Now they’re close friends, roommates, and collaborators on a food-system project of their own.

College of Agricultural Sciences faculty member named distinguished professor

January 26, 2017

Jonathan Lynch, professor of plant nutrition in the College of Agricultural Sciences, was one of 15 Penn State faculty members to be named distinguished professors by the University in January 2017.

NEA grant will support creation of sculptures at The Arboretum at Penn State

January 18, 2017

The Palmer Museum of Art and The Arboretum at Penn State have received a $30,000 Art Works grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to help support the creation and installation of outdoor sculptures at the Arboretum, June-Oct. 2018. The commissioning project will take place in conjunction with a Palmer Museum of Art exhibition, "Plastic Entanglements: Ecology, Aesthetics, Materials," which will be on display in spring 2018.

Common crop chemical leaves bees susceptible to deadly viruses

January 16, 2017

A chemical that is thought to be safe and is, therefore, widely used on crops — such as almonds, wine grapes and tree fruits — to boost the performance of pesticides, makes honey bee larvae significantly more susceptible to a deadly virus, according to researchers at Penn State and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Considering cattle could help eliminate malaria in India

January 16, 2017

The goal of eliminating malaria in countries like India could be more achievable if mosquito-control efforts take into account the relationship between mosquitoes and cattle, according to an international team of researchers.

Researchers receive $7 million grant to develop deeper crop roots

January 15, 2017

Researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences have received a $7 million dollar grant to design a low-cost, integrated system that can identify and screen for high-yielding, deeper-rooted crops. The interdisciplinary team will combine a suite of technologies designed to identify phenotypes and genes related to desirable root traits, with the goal of enhancing the breeding of crop varieties better adapted for nitrogen and water acquisition and carbon sequestration.

Penn State students receive scholarships at 2017 Pennsylvania Farm Show

January 15, 2017

Seventeen Penn State students, including 13 enrolled in the College of Agricultural Sciences, were among 28 who received scholarships from the Pennsylvania Farm Show Scholarship Foundation during the 101st Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. The foundation awards scholarships to young people who are registered in a post-secondary educational institution and who have exhibited at the Farm Show. To be chosen, students must exhibit leadership qualities and excellent academic performance, according to the foundation.

Project to develop computational tools for coupled human-natural systems

January 10, 2017

Penn State researchers have received a $20 million, five-year project with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) looks to create a state-of-the-art framework of computational tools that will help to assess the impacts of weather-related variability and change.

Free public science minicourse starts on Jan. 21

January 10, 2017

"The Quest for One Healthy Planet" is the 2017 theme of the annual Penn State Lectures on the Frontiers of Science -- a free public minicourse that does not require registration or exams. The lectures take place on six consecutive Saturday mornings beginning at 11 a.m. in 100 Thomas Building on the University Park campus.

Researchers receive $3.6 million to study genetics of plant disease resistance

January 6, 2017

A $3.6 million grant from the National Science Foundation will support a new research project aimed at pinpointing the genes that confer disease resistance in cacao. The ultimate goal of the four-year study is to develop a new approach that plant scientists and breeders can use to identify the genetic basis for disease resistance in a variety of perennial crops.

Dairy of Distinction applications due April 15

January 6, 2017

Pennsylvania dairy producers are invited to apply for the Dairy of Distinction award from the Pennsylvania Dairy of Distinction program. The award is based on the concept that attractive farmsteads enhance consumer confidence in the wholesomeness of milk and stimulate milk sales and public support for the industry.

Extension offers home-study courses on beef, sheep, goat, swine production

January 6, 2017

Beef, sheep, meat-goat and swine producers looking for information on how to make their livestock enterprises more profitable can take advantage of four home-study courses offered by Penn State Extension this winter.

Fourteen named distinguished professors at Penn State

January 6, 2017

Fourteen Penn State faculty members have been honored with the title of "distinguished professor" in recognition of their academic contributions to the University.

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 12 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University. 

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 12 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University. 

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 12 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University. 

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 12 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University. 

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 12 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University. 

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)