Q&A: Are plants the key to solving energy and food crises worldwide?
| psu.edu
Costas Maranas, Robert V. & Gloria H. Waltemeyer Chair and Donald B. Broughton Professor of Chemical Engineering at Penn State, is developing computer models and algorithms to help scientists better understand, analyze and redesign biological organisms, including plants. In this Q&A, Maranas discussed how recent breakthroughs in modeling, artificial intelligence and systems biology are accelerating their work, helping plant scientists better understand and repurpose plants into fuel, plastics and more.
Q&A: Pushing the boundaries of observation for the lowest atmospheric layer
| psu.edu
Despite being difficult to comprehensively observe, the lowest layer of the atmosphere, known as the boundary layer, is critical to weather forecasting, according to a team of meteorology and atmospheric science researchers at Penn State. New grant will help the research team expand their data collection and analysis of the boundary layer.
Third Center for RNA Molecular Biology Symposium brings together researchers
| psu.edu
In this Q&A, Paul Babitzke, Don Bryant Chair in Microbial Physiology, and Philip Bevilacqua, distinguished professor of chemistry and of biochemistry and molecular biology, shared about the history of the Center for RNA Molecular Biology and the importance of its annual symposium.
Penn State student wins international award for sourdough microbiome research
| psu.edu
Quinn Burnett, a fourth-year food science student in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, was recognized for her research on how sourdough starter microbiomes affect the digestibility of breads at the IPA World Congress + Probiota 2026 conference.
How does conservation agriculture impact farm workers?
| psu.edu
An interdisciplinary team in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, in collaboration with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, a conservation nonprofit working with farmers, has received a $250,000 grant from the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program.
Common protective soybean seed treatment may not increase profitability
| psu.edu
Many soybean farmers use seeds treated with fungicides to ward off disease, but the profits from these increased yields might not offset the cost of the treatment in most cases, according to a study done by researchers at Penn State.
Q&A: How better climate data supports smarter environmental decisions
Accurate measurements are the foundation of effective environmental management and decision-making.
Finding new ways to measure the local sustainability of rural tourism
| psu.edu
Tourism affects local populations differently in counties across the U.S., but measuring these effects may now be easier thanks to a new tool developed as part of a study by researchers at Penn State.
WATCH: Advancing biorobotics by studying the natural world
| psu.edu
Learn from Penn State College of Engineering researchers who study birds, fish, lizards, insects and other animals to develop innovative machines that deepen our understanding of the world around us.
Gugino named associate dean for research operations and graduate education
| psu.edu
Longtime faculty member and college leader Beth Gugino has been named associate dean for research operations and graduate education in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.
Scientists design a new reactor that turns renewable electricity into a storable fuel
| earth.com
Scientists have created a reactor capable of converting carbon dioxide into storable methane fuel using microbes and renewable energy.
Q&A: Ebola outbreak and public health emergency
| psu.edu
In this Q&A, Nita Bharti, associate professor of biology at Penn State, and postdoctoral scholar Kelsee Baranowski discuss what Ebola is, how it affects people and why this outbreak matters to people around the world.