Penn State water-energy-food nexus project takes a global approach

November 15, 2024

Michael Jacobson, professor of forest resources in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management in the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, co-led the second Collaborative Learning School, a year-round virtual networking community of faculty, students and early career professionals that culminates in a two-week summer field workshop with U.S. and African scientists and practitioners. The school, which was held in Uganda last year, is funded by a five-year, $2 million U.S. National Science Foundation grant and is an initiative of the SustainFood Network.

Q&A: How do microbiomes influence the study of life?

November 14, 2024

Microorganisms — bacteria, viruses and other tiny life forms — may drive biological variation in visible life as much, if not more, than genetic mutations, creating new lineages and even new species of animals and plants, according to Seth Bordenstein, director of Penn State’s One Health Microbiome Center within the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences.

Penn State Extension specialist honored by national food safety organization

November 14, 2024

Martin Bucknavage, Penn State Extension senior program specialist for food safety and quality, has been selected to receive a 2024 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance, established to develop and provide training and outreach to support the U.S Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act.

Penn State agricultural economist recognized for excellence in Extension

November 14, 2024

Claudia Schmidt, assistant professor of marketing and local/regional food systems in the College of Agricultural Sciences, received this year’s Northeast Region Excellence in Extension Award for an individual, recognizing Schmidt for her development of a research-based agritourism extension program in Pennsylvania.

A Note from Neeli: Penn State at the forefront of microbiome research

November 13, 2024

At Penn State’s award-winning One Health Microbiome Center, faculty and students are collaborating to improve human, agricultural and environmental health. With over 540 members, 125 faculty and 160 graduate students from 42 departments across 10 colleges at Penn State, the center is one of the crown jewels of interdisciplinary excellence in the University's research enterprise.

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters -- Nov. 11

November 11, 2024

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 15 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.   

Penn State Sustainable Labs Program kicks off third year with cohort of 21 labs

November 8, 2024

Penn State's Sustainable Labs Program, now in its third year, is enhancing sustainability in research labs across the University. The program has expanded to multiple campuses with more than 70 labs and 600 researchers as part of current or past cohorts. 

Land-use webinar to address local implementation of active transportation plans

November 6, 2024

A Penn State Extension land-use webinar on Nov. 20 will guide local officials on the ins and outs of implementing “active transportation plans.”  

Public pressure influences whether companies reduce their environmental impact

November 5, 2024

The effectiveness of national voluntary programs asking companies to pledge to lower their pollution and greenhouse gas emissions depends on pressure from the public, according to a new study led by a Penn State researcher.

Distinguished professor in plant nutrition retires after long, impactful career

November 5, 2024

Jonathan Lynch, distinguished professor of plant nutrition, retired this fall after an innovative and impactful 33-year career in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, focused on conducting research to alleviate world hunger and enhance crop production by subsistence farmers in developing countries.

Penn State delegation will head to Azerbaijan for UN's annual climate meeting

November 5, 2024

Penn State will be sending its second delegation of students and faculty to COP29, the United Nations’ annual climate meeting, which will be held Baku, Azerbaijan, in November.

Penn State Extension in Beaver County relocates to Penn State Beaver campus

November 4, 2024

The Penn State Extension office in Beaver County has relocated to Penn State Beaver campus in Monaca from its previous location on Third Street in Beaver. An open house for the public will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 18.

Penn State Master Watershed Steward Jane Cook leads by example in Lehigh Valley

November 1, 2024

In 2014, Jane Cook joined the second-ever training class of Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward volunteers. She was already active in the Monocacy Creek Watershed Association, but since then, she has logged more than 1,000 volunteer hours educating the public and restoring local watersheds.

'Growing Impact' discusses communicating inland flooding through visualizations

November 1, 2024

The latest episode of "Growing Impact" explores how a research team is using computer modeling and animations to visualize future flood and levee failure scenarios.

Institute for Computational and Data Sciences announces two new co-hires

October 31, 2024

The Penn State Institute for Computational and Data Sciences announced two new co-hires: Dana Calacci, assistant professor in the College of Information Sciences and Technology, and Enrico Casella, assistant professor of data science for animal systems in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

First-year College of Ag Sciences students thrive in summer internships

October 31, 2024

Three first-year students from the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management in the College of Agricultural Sciences were inspired to pursue summer internships by their experiences in AG 150: First-Year Seminar at Penn State Altoona.

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters — Oct. 30

October 30, 2024

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 15 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.   

Microplastics increasing in freshwater, directly related to plastic production

October 29, 2024

Microplastics have been steadily increasing in freshwater environments for decades and are directly tied to rising global plastic production since the 1950s, according to a new study by an interdisciplinary team of Penn State researchers.

Thompson, Pennsylvania in the Balance among those receiving Ag Council awards

October 29, 2024

U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, was honored with the 2024 Leadership Award presented by the Penn State Ag Council at its fall meeting in State College. Also recognized were members of the Pennsylvania in the Balance initiative and undergraduate student Jessica Herr.

Research team gets grant to study precision chemical thinning of apple blossoms

October 25, 2024

One of the most traditionally time-consuming, labor-intensive processes of apple production is blossom thinning, which involves manually pruning flowers so that remaining blooms can reclaim the plant’s resources to grow better fruit. More recently, the process has shifted to broad chemical spraying, which can have harmful environmental impacts. To assist producers and mitigate environmental harm, the USDA has awarded a three-year, $601,125 grant to a team of Penn State researchers for the development of a robotic precision spraying system.

'Seed to Supper' program transforms lives at the Altoona VA Medical Center

October 23, 2024

At the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center in Altoona, a garden yields fresh produce such as corn, tomatoes, strawberries, zucchini and peppers. It is part of the Seed to Supper program, a Penn State Extension Master Gardener initiative that teaches adults on a limited budget how to grow their own food. For one veteran in hospice care, the garden became a lifeline.

Penn State hosting community engagement and applied research symposium Nov. 7–8

October 23, 2024

A symposium centering around community engagement and applied research will take place Nov. 7–8 at Penn State University Park.

Water fern gains more evidence as safe potential global food insecurity solution

October 23, 2024

Is the floating freshwater fern commonly called Carolina azolla the potential answer to global food insecurity or a possible threat to humanity? On the heels of a study published earlier this year by researchers at Penn State on the plant’s nutrition and digestibility, the team learned of concerns about the plant’s potential toxin content. The researchers joined an international effort to test Azolla and found that it does not contain cyanotoxins, potent toxins produced by a type of cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, associated with the plant.

Deer, seedlings and soil pH influence local forest regeneration

October 22, 2024

New findings from long-term research underscore the challenges managers face when trying to conserve Penn’s Woods.

Exhibition to showcase art and science collaborations

October 21, 2024

"Synergies in Art and Science," an art exhibition showcasing collaborations at the intersection of microbial science and artistic innovation, will be on display at the Penn State College of Arts and Architecture's Borland Project Space, located in 125 Borland Building, from Oct. 28 to Nov 15. The exhibition, curated by adjunct researcher Cynthia White, expands on some of the work previously shown in spring 2024 in conjunction with the One Health Microbiome Center Biannual Symposium.

Penn State professor awarded UNESCO Janusz Korczak Jubilee Medal

October 18, 2024

Mark Brennan, professor in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State, was recently awarded the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Janusz Korczak Jubilee Medal at a special ceremony in Poland.

From Catwoman to Han Solo, newly discovered wasps named after famous thieves

October 18, 2024

Twenty-two new species of gall wasps have been identified and named for the first time, thanks to new research led by a Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences graduate student.

Penn State named site for World Food Forum Youth Food Lab

October 18, 2024

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has been selected to host a prestigious World Food Forum Youth Food Lab, a key initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to address global food security and climate change.

Invasive flathead catfish impacting Susquehanna’s food chain, researchers find

October 18, 2024

Flathead catfish — native to the Mississippi River basin — were first detected in the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania in 2002, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. In the two decades since then, the invasive species has spread throughout the river basin. The impact of the large predator on the waterway’s food webs and ecology was unknown, but now a team including researchers from Penn State is beginning to understand what Susquehanna flatheads are eating and how their presence is affecting native aquatic species in the river.

Climate Consortium awards projects to drive climate solutions across key sectors

October 17, 2024

The Penn State Climate Consortium has awarded funding to four research projects that look to put promising climate solutions into action through interdisciplinary partnerships. 

Media Contacts

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  • Public Relations Specialist/Science 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)