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.

Penn State startup Phospholutions demonstrates product on White Course

May 19, 2017

Penn State President Eric Barron joined providers of entrepreneurship resources in celebrating innovative Penn State startup, Phospholutions, on Thursday, May 18, at the Penn State Golf Course in State College.

Baker gift to support College of Agricultural Sciences LGBTQA student club

May 19, 2017

Generous support from MeeCee Baker, a respected alumna of Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, will support Students for Cultivating Change.

Kang elected Fellow of American Phytopathological Society

May 18, 2017

Seogchan Kang, professor of plant pathology in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, has been elected as a Fellow of the American Phytopathological Society, an honor given to members in recognition of distinguished contributions to the discipline of plant pathology.

'An Apple a Day' event to give research view into apple microbiomes May 24

May 18, 2017

Do the microbes associated with apples help keep the doctor away? This is one of the many questions that will be investigated at a May 24 workshop titled "An Apple a Day!" The event, hosted by the Microbiome Center at Penn State, will enable participants to learn about and discuss the "apple microbiome," from seed to soil to the human gut and beyond.

Penn State to launch undergraduate Ag Stewardship and Conservation certificate

May 17, 2017

A new undergraduate certificate program offered by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences will give students interested in agricultural stewardship an opportunity for classroom and hands-on learning in the sustainability of agricultural soil and water resources. The Agricultural Stewardship and Conservation Certificate program will provide critical coursework and practical experience that will help make students marketable for jobs in the public and private sector.

Grant aimed at solving agricultural water issues through community engagement

May 17, 2017

A group of institutions led by Penn State has received nearly $2.2 million for the first year of a planned four-year, $5 million project aimed at developing a model for engaging communities and stakeholders to ensure adequate supplies of good-quality water both for and from agriculture. Partners include the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, Arizona State University and the University of Nebraska Lincoln.

Innovating Abroad

May 17, 2017

Robinson Laventure, Penn State student in biological engineering, spent three months helping to redesign 3D-printed prosthetics for TakeaHand, a biotechnology company located in Santiago, Chile.

American chestnut rescue will succeed, but slower than expected

May 16, 2017

The nearly century-old effort to employ selective breeding to rescue the American chestnut, which has been rendered functionally extinct by an introduced disease — Chestnut blight, eventually will succeed, but it will take longer than many people expect.

From Coca to Cacao

May 15, 2017

As Colombia emerges from 50 years of violence, Penn State scientists are helping poor farmers switch from growing coca, the stuff of cocaine, to growing cacao, the principal ingredient in chocolate. Cacao for Peace, the international partnership they are a part of, seeks to transform Colombia's rural Caribbean coast in a cacao-growing hotspot.

Penn State researchers hope to extend berry growing season in Northeast

May 15, 2017

Researchers at Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences are among a group of researchers examining how the use of high and low tunnels and plastic coverings extend the growing season for strawberries and raspberries, and as a result, increase yields while also reducing pesticide use and improving berry quality and shelf-life.

Penn State Dairy Products Evaluation team members win awards at contest

May 9, 2017

A student team representing the Food Science Department in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences took first place in the Yogurt category of the 95th Collegiate Dairy Products Evaluation Contest, held April 12 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Webinar to compare state and local oil and gas revenues across the country

May 9, 2017

Comparing revenues from oil and gas production across 16 states and describing major impacts in regions such as the Marcellus, Bakken and Permian will be the focus of a web-based seminar to be presented by Penn State Extension.

Penn State Extension names six to oversee program units

May 9, 2017

Penn State Extension has named six assistant directors to oversee statewide educational programs addressing a variety of subject-matter areas of importance to Pennsylvania. The appointments are part of recently announced changes to the organization's structure, product development and program delivery.

Schreyer Honors College presents graduating scholars with awards

May 9, 2017

The Schreyer Honors College distributed four annual senior awards to Scholars at a reception in the HUB-Robeson Center's Alumni Hall.

Student landscaping team builds outdoor space for local Stormbreak house

May 9, 2017

Penn State’s landscape design and landscape construction classes are known for their incredible community projects. But with this year’s undertaking, the courses have gone above and beyond.

Recovering lost genetic diversity in Holsteins is focus of professors' research

May 8, 2017

Holstein calves recently born at Penn State may help to reintroduce valuable genetic variance thanks to research conducted by Chad Dechow and Wansheng Liu, researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

Dr. Andrew Read gives Graduate School Commencement Speech

May 8, 2017

Andrew F. Read, Ph.D., Evan Pugh Professor of Biology and Entomology and Eberly Professor of Biotechnology, was the keynote speaker for this year's Graduate School commencement ceremony held on May 7, 2017.

Entrepreneurs battle in 'Shark Tank'-style contest on WPSU’s ‘The Investment’

May 4, 2017

Penn State undergraduate students and local entrepreneurs will compete for $30,000 in funding to help grow their businesses in a student-pitch competition, “The Investment,” that will air at 8 p.m. on today (May 4) on WPSU-TV.

Record 83 undergraduates receive 2017 Erickson Discovery Grants

May 4, 2017

Eighty-three students from across Penn State’s campuses will each be awarded a $3,500 Erickson Discovery Grant for summer 2017 through the Office of Undergraduate Education. The students will use the funds to immerse themselves in original research, scholarship, and creative work under the direct supervision of a faculty member.

Invent Penn State’s Fund for Innovation awards $75,000 to Persea Naturals

May 4, 2017

A team of food science researchers from Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences are launching a promising new venture to produce a line of all-natural, vibrant food colors, dubbed AvoColor, using a compound derived from the seed of the avocado.

Media Contacts

  • Senior Public Relations Specialist/News Editor
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  • 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)