News

Researchers find genes that could help create more resilient chickens

An international team of scientists, led by Penn State researchers, have identified genes that may help farmers, especially ones in low- and middle-income countries, breed chickens that can resist one of the biggest disease threats facing poultry today.

Xin Zhang honored as Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences

Xin Zhang, holder of the Paul Berg Early Career Professorship and assistant professor of chemistry and of biochemistry and molecular biology at Penn State, has been selected as a Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences by The Pew Charitable Trusts, a national philanthropy organization based in Philadelphia.

Bruce Chen receives his award from Huck Director Andrew Read

Bruce Chen Recognized for Outstanding Student Leadership

The PhD candidate in genetics was lauded for his time as HGSAC chair, in which he worked to help his fellow graduate students identify a number of possible future career paths.

A new study led by researchers at Penn State has identified the gene responsible for the color switch between the red and black color forms of the bumble bee, Bombus melanopygus. The black form is similar to other bees in the Pacific Coastal region while the red form is similar to other bees in the Rocky Mountain region. IMAGE: LI TIAN, PENN STATE

How The Bumble Bee Got Its Stripes

Researchers have discovered a gene that drives color differences within a species of bumble bees. This discovery helps to explain the highly diverse color patterns among bumble bee species as well as how mimicry — individuals in an area adopting similar color patterns — evolves.

IMAGE: STOCK PHOTO / PIXABAY

NIH Grant Funds Research to Pinpoint Natural Selection’s Influence on Genomes

With a $1.7 million grant through the National Institutes of Health, researchers led by Michael DeGiorgio will begin to tease apart individual forces to understand how much influence natural selection has had on our evolutionary path.

Food Scientist Kovac Receives Young Investigator Award

Jasna Kovac, assistant professor of food science in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, recently was named recipient of the Institut Merieux Young Investigator Award in Antimicrobial Resistance from the International Association for Food Protection.

Feiyue Lu Wins Simpson Award for Innovative Research

MCIBS student Feiyue Lu's research into RNA in Drosophila flies was recognized for its complexity, scope, and difficulty.

Alex Weiner receiving his award

Five Huck Researchers Among Winners at Grad Student Awards

A quintet of Huck doctoral candidates were recognized for excellence in their studies and collaborations within and outside of Penn State.

Insect-deterring sorghum compounds may be eco-friendly pesticide

Compounds produced by sorghum plants to defend against insect feeding could be isolated, synthesized and used as a targeted, nontoxic insect deterrent, according to researchers who studied plant-insect interactions that included field, greenhouse and laboratory components.

Michael Axtell Among Five Receiving Faculty Scholar Medals

Five Penn State faculty members have received 2019 Faculty Scholar Medals for Outstanding Achievement for excellence in scholarship, research and the arts.