Hero image for the Center for Chemical Ecology - a monarch butterfly landing on milkweed | Photo: Jack Meyer

Center for Chemical Ecology

Examining the role of chemical interactions between living organisms and their environments

In 2005, Penn State researchers and facilities united as a center of excellence to promote collaborative research and graduate education in chemical and molecular ecology. Inspired by molecules we discover in microbes, fungi, plants, and animals, we strive to mimic nature's flavors, fragrances, medicines, and toxins, and learn how to put them to use for a healthier life and cleaner environment.

The goal of the Center is to not only study connections, but to develop them across our university. As an intrinsically interdisciplinary field, bridges between academic areas will only foster new discoveries, tools and solutions for our world. We plan to develop core ‘B.A.S.E.’ areas:

Behavior, Pheromones, and Sensory Biology

Agroecology and Plant Interactions

Sensors and Artificial Intelligence

Ecophysiology, Exposome, and Exposomics


Image credit: Jack Meyer

Behavior, Pheromones, and Sensory Biology

Agroecology and Plant Interactions

Sensors and Artificial Intelligence

Ecophysiology, Exposome, and Exposomics

News

Penn State researchers earn funding for sustainable weed and insect management

Three Penn State research teams have received awards totaling $1.78 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture to investigate climate-smart approaches to pest control in agriculture.

Plant compound used in traditional medicine may help fight tuberculosis

A compound found in African wormwood — a plant used medicinally for thousands of years to treat many types of illness — could be effective against tuberculosis.

Plant scientist named Huck Early Career Chair in Microbial Community Ecology

Francisco Dini-Andreote, assistant professor of plant science in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State, has been awarded the Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Early Career Chair in Microbial Community Ecology.

News

Penn State researchers earn funding for sustainable weed and insect management

Three Penn State research teams have received awards totaling $1.78 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture to investigate climate-smart approaches to pest control in agriculture.

Plant compound used in traditional medicine may help fight tuberculosis

A compound found in African wormwood — a plant used medicinally for thousands of years to treat many types of illness — could be effective against tuberculosis.

Plant scientist named Huck Early Career Chair in Microbial Community Ecology

Francisco Dini-Andreote, assistant professor of plant science in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State, has been awarded the Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Early Career Chair in Microbial Community Ecology.

Penn State professor named to advisory board of National Smell and Taste Center

Penn State sensory expert John Hayes has been appointed to the external scientific advisory board of the newly established National Smell and Taste Center at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).