Arboretum seeking volunteers for 'Palmer Plant-Out' at new art museum

May 7, 2024

The Arboretum at Penn State is looking for hundreds of volunteers to help plant more than 100,000 flowering perennial plants and grasses around the new Palmer Museum of Art at the Arboretum in preparation for its public opening on June 1.  

Penn State Extension praised by state for native plant gardens in Philadelphia

May 7, 2024

The Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward program in Philadelphia County, in partnership with the Friends of Wharton Square Park, recently received a Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence, presented annually by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

NSF grant to fund research on genetics and physiology of corn kernel development

May 6, 2024

A research team in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has received a grant of nearly $1 million from the U.S. National Science Foundation to fund a novel project investigating the molecular and physiological processes that support corn kernel development.

Surviving ash trees may hold key to saving multiple species of the trees

May 3, 2024

The invasive insect emerald ash borer is killing ash trees at an unprecedented rate in the United States, and now five North American species of ash are considered critically endangered, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. But a small percentage are surviving, and research by Forest Service scientists suggests that those trees may hold the key for saving the species. In an effort to unlock the answer, researchers in the Louis W. Schatz Center for Tree Molecular Genetics at Penn State are working with The Nature Conservancy and the USDA Forest Service to conduct genomic analysis of range-wide collections of green ash, white ash and black ash.

Bee body mass, pathogens and local climate influence heat tolerance

May 3, 2024

How well bees tolerate temperature extremes could determine their ability to persist in a changing climate. But heat tolerance varies between and within populations, so a research team led by Penn State entomologists examined bee physical traits — such as sex differences in body mass — to understand how these traits interact with environmental conditions, pathogens and other factors.

Integrated Pest Management Program staffer to help schools implement IPM plans

May 1, 2024

The Pennsylvania Integrated Pest Management Program has announced the appointment of Donald DeMackiewicz Jr. as the new PA IPM schools program assistant. DeMackiewicz will offer consulting services to any Pennsylvania schools seeking expertise and advice while developing and implementing their state-mandated IPM plans.

Faculty Senate honors six graduating seniors with John W. White Fellowship

May 1, 2024

The Faculty Senate Committee on Student Life recently awarded six graduating Penn State seniors who will be pursuing graduate-level education with the John W. White Graduate Fellowship. Here are their stories. 

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters — April 29

April 29, 2024

As part of our regular "We Are!" feature, we recognize 16 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.   

Schreyer Honors College announces 2024 Student and Faculty Award winners

April 29, 2024

Seven Schreyer Scholars and two Penn State faculty members have been selected as recipients of Schreyer Honors College awards for the 2022-23 academic year.

Sour Patch adults: 1 in 8 grown-ups love extreme tartness, study shows

April 29, 2024

For most people, biting into a lemon would leave them puckered up and desperate to lose that sour flavor, but a new study by Penn State researchers revealed that roughly one in eight adults like intensely sour sensations. The cross-cultural study, recently published in the journal Food Quality and Preference, demonstrated there is a subset of “sour likers” who enjoy exceptionally sour foods.

Firefly populations at risk due to climate change, urban development

April 29, 2024

Catching fireflies is an iconic summer experience for many people living in North America, but the flickering beetles are on the decline. A new study by a team that includes Penn State researchers has identified factors that may be contributing to declining populations.

Meet Penn State’s three Goldwater Scholars for 2024-25

April 29, 2024

Three Penn Staters have been selected as Goldwater Scholars for 2024-25: Nate Carey, Bridget Reheard and Mabel Tong. Goldwater Scholars are selected for their potential as leaders in the fields of natural sciences, mathematics and engineering.

Springtime 'Night at the Museums' brings visitors closer to nature, history

April 26, 2024

During the Night at the Museums event, sites around Penn State keep their doors open a little later than usual to welcome visitors who can't make it during the daytime hours.

Spring selected as Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences student marshal

April 26, 2024

Jacquelin Spring has been named the 2024 student marshal representing the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State’s spring commencement.

Penn State Extension introduces canine program to support dog breeders

April 23, 2024

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has announced the recent hire of Abby Hodder as the assistant clinical professor of canine behavioral welfare in the Department of Animal Science. Hodder’s onboarding marks the beginning of a Penn State Extension canine program designed to support professional dog breeders through education, outreach and applied research focused on canine behavior and welfare.

Tyrone wood floor manufacturer utilizes OriginLabs prototyping facility

April 23, 2024

Britta Teller and Evan Stover are the co-founders of Steller Floors, a sustainable hardwood floor startup based out of Tyrone. They are regular users of OriginLabs, Invent Penn State's prototyping and fabrication space in State College.

Extension volunteer ‘rain barrel guy’ engages youth to protect watersheds

April 22, 2024

For Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward volunteer Rich Troscianecki, one of the most rewarding aspects of his role is getting the next generation involved in and excited about watershed management.

College of Ag Sciences faculty, extension leader engage in leadership program

April 22, 2024

Two Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences faculty members and an assistant director with Penn State Extension recently furthered their knowledge of leadership principles by completing the LEAD21 leadership development program, a national yearlong program to develop leaders in land-grant institutions and their strategic partners who link research, academics and extension and can navigate an increasingly complex environment to lead more effectively in their current or future leadership positions. 

Kissing bugs, vector for Chagas disease, successfully gene edited for first time

April 22, 2024

New research from an international team, including a Penn State researcher, demonstrates — for the first time — the use of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in kissing bugs and opens the door to research on applied strategies for Chagas disease control.

Grüner veltliner white wine could be the toast of Pennsylvania, study suggests

April 22, 2024

States that are associated with signature varietals of wine can realize an economic benefit — some examples are regions in California linked with zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay, Oregon with pinot noir and the Finger Lakes region of New York with riesling. Now, a new study by Penn State researchers suggests that a wine grape called grüner veltliner could potentially do the same for  Pennsylvania.

Landscape architecture professor receives Stuckeman Collaborative Research Grant

April 22, 2024

Stormwater runoff has become one of the leading causes of water pollution in urban environments, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, due to years of cities implementing “gray” infrastructure. Stuart Echols, associate professor of landscape architecture in the Stuckeman School, is working to rectify this with the support of the recently awarded 2024 Stuckeman Fund for Collaborative Design Research Grant for $50,000 over the course of two years.

Planting the seed for a sustainable future

April 20, 2024

For Grace Wills, president of the University’s oldest student-run environmental group, EcoAction, the recent Old Willow replanting is a small piece of her drive in co-leading a much larger initiative to build a sustainable future at Penn State. 

Six Penn State faculty elected to 2023 cohort of AAAS Fellows

April 18, 2024

Six Penn State faculty members in areas ranging from neuropharmacology to computer architecture have been elected to the 2023 cohort of fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest general scientific society. This year, AAAS recognized a total of 502 scientists, engineers and innovators with this lifetime honor, bestowed by their peers, for their scientifically and socially distinguished achievements.

Project to improve cropping named 2024 Ag Springboard pitch contest winner

April 18, 2024

Penn State students’ entrepreneurial spirit shone brightly at the 2024 Ag Springboard student business pitch contest, which took place in early April in State College. Taking home this year’s first-place award was the team that created CropNSoil, a platform to support international multicropping. Students Kanika Gupta and Kartikey Pandey, both computer science majors in the College of Engineering, and Samuel DeLozier, an agribusiness management major in the College of Agricultural Sciences, received $7,500 to further their project.

Penn State Climate Consortium awards 11 climate action workshops

April 18, 2024

Penn State Climate Consortium announced 11 workshops designed to create and implement climate change solutions through its Climate Solutions Accelerator program.

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters -- April 17

April 17, 2024

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 13 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.   

Climate change may affect kinship care patterns in Africa

April 17, 2024

A new study highlights the effects climate change may have on children and social support systems in Africa, a question that has received relatively little attention from researchers and the policy community.

NSF CAREER Award enables Penn State scientist to study new 3D printing materials

April 16, 2024

An agricultural engineer in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences is embarking on research to explore using plant-based materials for 3D printing, thanks to support from the U.S. National Science Foundation.

Penn State Extension to host agricultural conservation conference June 4-6

April 16, 2024

Individuals working in agricultural conservation can dive into professional development opportunities by attending the “ACAP Ag Conservation Con,” June 4-6 at Toftrees Golf Resort, located at 1 Country Club Lane in State College.

Type of plastic film on high tunnels can filter sunlight, influence plant growth

April 16, 2024

High-tunnel growing systems, sometimes called hoophouses, have gained popularity for their ability to enhance growth conditions and extend the growing season of horticultural crops. Now, a team led by Penn State researchers has demonstrated that growers can select various plastic film coverings on the structures — depending on their desired light-filtering properties — to protect plants and enhance their health.

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)

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)