Q&A: Ella McDyre gains hands-on experience at Penn State Dairy Barns

September 30, 2026

Through her work caring for Penn State’s dairy herd, Ella McDyre, a senior studying animal science, is applying lessons from the classroom, gaining experience in animal agriculture and preparing for a career working with animals.

Four faculty join the Institute of Energy and the Environment

September 30, 2026

The new faculty bring expertise in climate-related extreme weather, membrane development, water quality management and battery improvements.

Penn State scientists recognized for multistate livestock reproduction research

September 30, 2026

Two Penn State scientists are part of a national research team recognized with the 2026 agInnovation Excellence in Multistate Research Award for work aimed at improving reproductive performance in cattle and sheep — a challenge that costs U.S. livestock producers billions of dollars each year.

Penn State professor addresses veteran career pathways at legislative meeting

September 29, 2026

Daniel F. Perkins, principal scientist at the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State and distinguished professor of family and youth resiliency and policy in the College of Agricultural Sciences, participated Sept. 24 in a joint informational meeting of the Pennsylvania House and Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness committees focused on helping veterans transition from military service to civilian careers.

First-year food science students compete in product development

September 29, 2026

Students in Penn State's food science program can get involved with product development and other opportunities as early as their first-year.

Microbiome sciences doctoral program celebrates first graduate

September 29, 2026

Penn State’s microbiome sciences dual-title doctoral program has reached a milestone with the graduation of its first student. The program is the first doctoral degree program worldwide focused specifically on microbiome sciences, which involve studying communities of microorganisms and their interactions in and with a particular environment.

Commonwealth Sustainability Week to be held online Oct. 5-9

September 29, 2026

Penn State Sustainability and the Pennsylvania GreenGov Council invite the public to the sixth annual Commonwealth Sustainability Week, to be held Oct. 5-9. Join for engaging conversations around the future of sustainability in Pennsylvania and innovative initiatives that are building a more resilient commonwealth for all.

Penn State shares information about hunting on University-owned land for 2026-27

September 29, 2026

As the fall hunting season begins, Penn State officials are reminding hunters about public hunting opportunities on University-owned lands and highlighting several changes to hunting regulations and access requirements.

Pennsylvania fruit growers face a difficult harvest after spring freeze

September 28, 2026

For some Pennsylvania orchards, there is little produce to show for this year's harvest. Damaging April freezes wiped out much of the state’s tree fruit, with some growers losing nearly everything and others harvesting only a fraction of a normal yield. Penn State Extension tree-fruit specialists helped growers assess damage, determine necessary management practices, and explain the freeze’s effects to officials.

Oct. 14 talk to discuss impact of local SNAP benefit variability on U.S. adults

September 28, 2026

Luyi Han, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology and Education at Penn State, will give the talk “Local food prices, SNAP purchasing power, and food insecurity,” at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 14, in 157 Hosler Building on Penn State’s University Park campus.

Oct. 7 talk to discuss impact of local SNAP benefit variability on U.S. adults

September 28, 2026

Luyi Han, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology and Education at Penn State, will give the talk “Local food prices, SNAP purchasing power, and food insecurity,” at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 7, in 157 Hosler Building on Penn State’s University Park campus.

Age, not feed additives, affects antimicrobial resistance genes in chickens

September 25, 2026

Researchers at Penn State have found that feeding broiler chickens an antibiotic, probiotic or essential oils did not significantly affect overall diversity of antimicrobial resistance genes. Instead, the chickens’ age had a much stronger effect on the resistome — the collection of antimicrobial resistance genes — as the birds grew.

Lactose-intolerant consumers pay more for lactose-free ice cream in study

September 24, 2026

With an estimated 36% of people in the United States having some degree of lactose intolerance, an expanded market niche may be available for lactose-free or reduced-lactose ice cream — especially as those with lactose intolerance may be willing to pay more for such products, according to a study led by researchers at Penn State and the University of Wisconsin.

Liver, gut bacteria alter food molecules, influence body’s biological activity

September 23, 2026

The liver, as well as gut bacteria, in humans can alter molecules in food to influence signaling pathways that can activate or deactivate an array of genes, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State.

Fat in ice cream waste can be economically recycled, study suggests

September 23, 2026

Millions of pounds of nutrient-rich ice cream go to waste each year, but there may be an economical way to recover and recycle the fat content for other applications, like pharmaceuticals or cosmetics, according to researchers at Penn State.

Photo Gallery: A Penn State family tradition, four generations strong

September 22, 2026

From attending Penn State Football games as a child to watching his own children graduate and attend the University, John Barlett’s connection to the University spans a lifetime. His family’s story includes generations of Penn Staters whose experiences continue to shape his family’s connection to the University.

Master Watershed Steward’s decade-long service demonstrates impact

September 22, 2026

Geoffrey Selling has spent the past decade volunteering with Penn State Extension’s Montgomery County Master Watershed Steward program, dedicating more than 3,000 hours to service projects, both as a project manager and program leader.

Nakamura to discuss barriers to accessing environmental public benefit programs

September 22, 2026

Shotaro Nakamura, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology and Education at Penn State, will give the talk “Monetary and non-monetary barriers to accessing environmental public benefit programs: experimental evidence from California,” at noon on Friday, Sept. 25, in 157 Hosler Building on Penn State’s University Park campus.

Berkey Creamery revives historic ice cream flavors through ‘Throwback Scoops’

September 21, 2026

The Penn State Berkey Creamery will kick off Homecoming Week with the launch of Throwback Scoops, a new program that will take customers on a trip down memory lane by bringing back retired flavors that helped pave the way.

College of Agricultural Sciences hosts Ukrainian scholars

September 20, 2026

Managed by Ag Sciences Global in the college, the Woskob International Research in Agriculture Scholar Program is the Woskob New Century Fund’s flagship educational exchange program. It covers visiting scholars’ travel and living expenses. The program gives Ukrainian instructors a semester-long opportunity to expand their knowledge and expertise by attending classes and working with the college’s faculty.

Student government leaders give voice to College of Agricultural Sciences

September 19, 2026

Students in the University Park Undergraduate Association help ensure the student voice is heard across campus. Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences is represented by two seniors, with years of experience.

2026 Faculty Engagement Award recipients to explore AI-enabled smart glasses

September 17, 2026

Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT), part of Penn State University Libraries, has named 21 recipients of the 2026 Faculty Engagement Awards with this year’s theme, “Teaching with AI Glasses: Augmented Reality for Real-Time Learning.”

One Health Microbiome Center announces 2026 award recipients

September 17, 2026

The One Health Microbiome Center recognized five Penn State researchers and trainees with its 2026 awards for contributions to microbiome science, leadership, community engagement, creativity, research and mentorship.

Plant science graduate student receives prestigious research fellowship

September 17, 2026

Kashish Verma, a student in the agricultural and environmental plant science doctoral program in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has been named a Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research Fellow for 2026-29.

Graduate students invited to participate in Three Minute Thesis competition

September 15, 2026

Penn State graduate students in a research-based degree program are invited to participate in Penn State's annual Three Minute Thesis competition (3MT), hosted by the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School. 3MT helps graduate students improve their research communication and presentation skills, permitting just three minutes and one static presentation slide to effectively communicate their research and its impact to an audience outside their field.

College of Ag Sciences names head of the Department of Plant Science

September 15, 2026

Joe Louis has been named head of the Department of Plant Science in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, effective Oct. 7.

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters

September 15, 2026

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 20 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.

Discovering a new diagnostic tool for detecting harmful bacteria

September 15, 2026

Scientists, clinicians, seed companies and others may soon have a new tool in their belt for detecting bacterial pathogens, thanks to a new study by researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Double dip: Sampling contaminants of emerging concern two ways improves accuracy

September 15, 2026

Two are better than one when it comes to sampling methods for tracking the location and timing of toxic chemical contamination in waterways, according to researchers at Penn State. The team tested two typical sampling approaches and found that both are needed to accurately assess both the variety and concentration of contaminants of emerging concern — pharmaceuticals, personal care products, livestock manure-borne hormones, veterinary antibiotics and pesticides — in a watershed.

Mike Watkins named 2026 Penn State Distinguished Poultry Science Alumnus

September 14, 2026

The Department of Animal Science in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has named Mike Watkins, vice president of live operations for Bell & Evans in Fredericksburg, to receive its 2026 Distinguished Poultry Science Alumnus Award.

Media Contacts

Amy Duke
  • Associate Director of Communications
Jeff Mulhollem
  • Public Relations Specialist/Science Writer
Katie Bohn
  • Science and News Writer
Alexandra McLaughlin
  • Penn State Extension Writer (Marketing Communications Specialist)
Sean Duke
  • Marketing/Communications Specialist

Media Contacts

Amy Duke
  • Associate Director of Communications
Jeff Mulhollem
  • Public Relations Specialist/Science Writer
Katie Bohn
  • Science and News Writer
Alexandra McLaughlin
  • Penn State Extension Writer (Marketing Communications Specialist)
Sean Duke
  • Marketing/Communications Specialist