Q&A: Penn State COP16 delegation contributes to biodiversity efforts

December 2, 2024

A delegation of Penn State faculty and graduate students who attended the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference, known as COP16, in Cali, Colombia, share about the event and their experiences.

'Growing Impact' reflects on PlantVillage investment, success

December 2, 2024

“Growing Impact” highlights PlantVillage, an innovative project that leverages the power of smartphones, artificial intelligence and cloud computing to help millions of farmers across Africa, Asia and the Americas.

Better habitats for forest farming wild leeks could help future foraging demands

November 26, 2024

Ramps, also known as wild leeks, and their unique garlic-onion flavor profile, are a popular foraged seasonal food but that demand could drive overharvesting of the native forest plant. In response to excess harvest worries, an interdisciplinary Penn State research team has studied how to grow and harvest ramps as a potential forest crop since 2017. In their latest study, published in the journal Wild, they characterized ramp habitat for the first time in Pennsylvania, offering guidance for the agroforestry practice known as forest farming. 

E3!: Agrifood systems educator program launched by the Global Teach Ag Network

November 26, 2024

Penn State's Global Teach Ag Network is launching a new program focusing on professional development for teachers in agriculture, thanks to new funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

First Opportunity Grants awarded to faculty

November 26, 2024

The new Opportunity Grant Professional Development Program awarded its first grants to 51 teaching and clinical non-tenure-line faculty.  

Researchers to study how to make carbon-storing product safer, more sustainable

November 26, 2024

Able to store carbon to offset emissions and prevent soil degradation and pollution, charcoal-like biochar could offer a sustainable solution to a lot of environmental challenges — if its production can be made greener. Supported by a three-year, $799,883 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, an international team led by researchers at Penn State will address the so-called “dark side” of biochar, assessing the threat of organic contaminant residues in biorefinery char products.

Tick tubes help reduce the parasites on mice, but time and frequency matters

November 25, 2024

Ticks are a nuisance across many areas of the U.S., capable of spreading harmful pathogens to both animals and humans. A new study led by researchers at Penn State analyzed the effectiveness of a simple, inexpensive strategy for controlling ticks that homeowners can use in their backyards.

Alternate stream water-testing method detects emerging contaminants

November 22, 2024

Pollutants known as “contaminants of emerging concern” or chemicals that could potentially harm human health and have been found in the environment, including pesticides, ingredients from personal care products, pharmaceuticals and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are increasingly found in streams and lakes. A team led by researchers at Penn State recently demonstrated the accuracy and utility of a new method to find even very low levels of these substances in surface waters. They reported their findings in the Science of the Total Environment.

New module supports fathers and father figures in their parenting journey

November 21, 2024

The Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State, in partnership with the Department of Defense, has launched a new parent-education module specifically designed to support fathers and father figures in building stronger relationships with their children. This module is also a valuable resource for other caregivers who are parenting alongside fathers by providing insights into the unique role fathers play in child development and the parent-child relationship.

American soil losing more crop nutrients due to heavier rainstorms, study shows

November 18, 2024

Phosphorus, a nutrient in soil essential for sustaining most forms of life, is increasingly disappearing from land as it is washed into waterways throughout the United States, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State.

How do formerly incarcerated individuals navigate community reentry?

November 18, 2024

A team of researchers from Penn State and the University of California, Irvine, received a one-year grant from the National Institute on Aging to examine how formerly incarcerated individuals form networks upon their release from prison and how such relationships help with navigating reentry into the community.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

'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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Fungi Futures exhibition showcases work of Stuckeman architecture researchers

October 15, 2024

Three projects from researchers in the Penn State Stuckeman School that focus on the use of mycelium, the root of fungus, as sustainable architectural components are featured in the “Fungi Futures: Exploring Mycelium in Product Design and Crafts” exhibition in the gallery of the (con)Temporary CRAFTS STUDIO in Bremen, Germany.

Penn State researchers earn funding for sustainable weed and insect management

October 11, 2024

Three Penn State research teams have received awards totaling $1.78 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture to investigate climate-smart approaches to pest control in agriculture.

New module to support caregivers of children who are neurodivergent

October 11, 2024

The Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State, in partnership with the Department of Defense, has launched a new parent-education module designed to help parents and caregivers navigate the journey with their children who are neurodivergent or who have autism spectrum disorder.

Office for Research and Graduate Education

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217 Agricultural Administration Building
University Park, PA 16802-2600

Office for Research and Graduate Education

Address

217 Agricultural Administration Building
University Park, PA 16802-2600