Liana Burghardt

Liana T Burghardt

Assistant Professor

Dr. Burghardt joined Penn State in 2020 and has quickly established herself as a leading voice in plant science. Her research program explores the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of legume–rhizobia interactions—mutualistic relationships that are essential to sustainable agriculture and global food security. Her work addresses how these beneficial microbes evolve and adapt to soils, hosts, and climate, with the goal of improving nitrogen fixation and reducing reliance on chemical inputs.

Her research excellence has been recognized internationally, including receiving the prestigious Tansley Medal for Excellence in Plant Science, awarded for outstanding contributions by an early-career researcher. She has published over 35 peer-reviewed articles, many in high-impact journals, and has secured over $3.7 million in competitive funding from USDA, NSF, DOE, and NIH—an extraordinary achievement for someone at this stage of her career.

Dr. Burghardt’s impact extends beyond her own scholarship. She has built a collaborative, interdisciplinary lab that prioritizes mentorship and team-based science. Her trainees have gone on to prestigious graduate programs and industry positions, and her lab members have presented over 25 posters and talks at major conferences in just the past three years.

She also created and teaches AEPS 515: Professional Development for Plant Science, a graduate course that equips students with essential skills for academic and professional success. Her leadership in developing grant-writing workshops has helped Penn State students secure USDA Predoctoral Fellowships at a rate far above the national average, bringing in millions of dollars in student support.

In addition to her research and teaching, Dr. Burghardt serves as Director of the Center for Root and Rhizosphere Biology, where she has expanded the Center's budget, launched new initiatives like AI phenotyping workshops, and helped establish a core facility for Laser Ablation Tomography—enhancing Penn State's research infrastructure and visibility.

Dr. Burghardt exemplifies the spirit of this award: a scholar whose early career is marked by innovation, leadership, and a deep commitment to advancing science and supporting others.