Soils, Plants, and Consumers

Summary

The relationship between plants and human health is governed by many factors including plant genetics, environment, and production/processing steps, as well as consumer genetics, diet, and cultural practices. There is a dearth of interdisciplinary studies on the interactions of these factors. This is exacerbated by the fact that there is an under-developed pipeline of researchers to approach the topic of plants and human health in a comprehensive manner. The Soils, Plants, and Consumers Network (SPCN) addresses this need and brings together innovative researchers with combined expertise in food science, sensory science, plant science, soil science, ethnobotany, metabolomics, and toxicology. The SPCN has ongoing collaborative research projects on food and medicinal plants including cacao, cloves, tea, grapes, hops, American ginseng, and goldenseal. The goal of the SPCN is to apply a novel systems-based approach to study the relationship between plants and consumers in order to support agriculture and improve public health, and to train next generation of scientists to lead this area of research.

Mission

  1. To generate new knowledge on the relationship between plants and human health and the key factors that mediate this relationship.
  2. To develop an interdisciplinary approach to train the next generation of scientists to explore the relationship between soils, plants, and consumers in holistic, systems-based approach.
  3. To support growers and processors of food and medicinal plants by providing high-quality scientific data on the factors that govern plant productivity and quality.

Current SPCN Students

Example Collaborative Publications

  • Gao Y, Swiggart E, Wolkiewicz K, Liyanapathiranage P, Baysal-Gurel F, Avin FA, Lopez EFP, Jordan RT, Kellogg J, Burkhart EP (2024) Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) extracts inhibit the growth of fungal isolates associated with American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.). Molecules. 29: 556.
  • Guarin D, Martín-López JM, Benavides-Bolaños J, Maximova SN, Guiltinan MJ, Spargo J, Da Silva M, Fernandez A, Drohan P (2024) Accumulation of cadmium in soils, litter and leaves in cacao farms in the North Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. Geoderma Regional. 36: e00762
  • Jordan RT*, Burkhart EP, Kaye, MW, Munoz D, Lambert JD (2024) Allicin and total phenolic content in ramps (Allium tricoccum Ait.) in relation to phenological stage, morphological traits, and harvest location. Biochem Syst Ecol. 115: 104846.
  • Lin Y, Warmund MR, Kwasniewski MT (2024) Characterization of the volatile composition of fermented ciders made from dessert apple cultivars with and without maceration. J Am Soc Brewing Chem. 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/03610470.2024.2319931.
  • Poudel P, Di Gioia F, Lambert JD, Connolly EL (2023) Zinc biofortification through seed nutri-priming using alternative zinc sources and concentration levels in pea and sunflower microgreens. Front Plant Sci. 14: 1177844.
  • Lawrence‐Paul EH, Poethig RS, Lasky JR (2023) Vegetative phase change causes age‐dependent changes in phenotypic plasticity. New Phytologist. 240: 613-25.
  • Chatterjee D, Lesko T, Peiffer M, Elango D, Beuzelin J, Felton GW, Chopra S (2023) Sorghum and maize flavonoids are detrimental to growth and survival of fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda. J Pest Sci. 96: 1551 - 67
  • Chrisfield BJ, Gugino BK, Hopfer H, Elias RJ (2022) Effect of copper-based fungicide treatments on the quality of hop produced in the northeastern United States. J Am Soc Brewing Chem. 80: 169 – 79.
  • Knollenberg BJ, Li G-X, Lambert JD, Maximova SN, Guiltinan MJ (2020) Clovamide, a hydroxycinnamic acid amide, is a resistance factor against Phytophthora spp. in Theobroma cacao.  Front Plant Sci. 11: 617520.

About the Training Program

The issue: The relationship between plants and human health is governed by many factors including plant genetics, environment, and production/processing steps, as well as consumer genetics, diet, and cultural practices. There is a dearth of interdisciplinary studies on the interactions of these factors. Similarly, there is an under-developed pipeline of researchers to approach the topic of plants and human health in a comprehensive manner.

Our approach: This training opportunity applies a novel systems-based approach to study the relationship between plants and people. We are recruiting a diverse cohort of PhD students to coadvised by mentors with complementary disciplinary expertise. We will provide research training and professional development opportunities focused on improving communication, grant-writing, entrepreneurship, and mentorship skills. Our program faculty will help ensure your success with their combined expertise in food science, sensory science, plant science, soil science, ethnobotany, metabolomics, and toxicology. All project faculty are currently involved in interdisciplinary research on food and medicinal plants. 

Who are the trainees (that’s you): We are seeking applicants who are interested in using interdisciplinary approaches to address challenging in the area soils, plants, and consumers. You should have a background in food science, plant science, chemistry, environmental science, biochemistry, or related field. You should be interested in the research of one or more of our participating faculty.  To be considered for this program, you must apply to one of the following PhD programs: Food Science, Plant Biology, Forest Resources, Soil Science, Plant Biology, or Agricultural and Environmental Plant Science.  You should mention your interest in being part of the Soils, Plants, and Consumers training program in your graduate application.  You should also reach out to participating faculty with whom you would like to work to see if they are currently taking new students.  Do this last bit before you apply.

For More Information:

Joshua D. Lambert, PhD
Professor of Food Science
Email: jdl134@psu.edu

Office for Research and Graduate Education

Address

217 Agricultural Administration Building
University Park, PA 16802-2600