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‘Microbial Me’ brings the invisible world of microbes through visual art, showcasing the ecosystems on our skin through a series of agar sculptures displaying bacteria. By casting her own face and swabbing the bacteria, Monsoon encourages viewers to reflect on the microorganisms present on their own skin. Credit: Mellissa Monsoon. All Rights Reserved.

BioArtist Mellissa Monsoon to present 'Collaborating with Microbes'

The One Health Microbiome Center and College of Arts and Architecture are co-hosting three events as part of a multi-year SciArt collaboration.

Ag Sciences research institute SAFES funds projects addressing critical issues

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, through its Institute for Sustainable Agricultural, Food and Environmental Science, known as SAFES, announced funding awards to accelerate the advancement of its Critical Issues Initiatives. These initiatives serve as the college’s impact hubs, addressing urgent and high-impact challenges through targeted efforts and innovative projects.

Plant biologist awarded the Masatoshi Nei Innovation Prize in Biology

Sarah Assmann, Waller Professor of Plant Biology at Penn State, has been awarded the Masatoshi Nei Innovation Prize in Biology. The award was established through a generous gift from Masatoshi Nei, professor emeritus of biology at Penn State; Laura Carnell, professor of biology at Temple University; and Nei’s wife, Nobuko Nei. The prize is intended to recognize a preeminent scientist who is on the faculty at Penn State, is an innovator in their field, and has achieved outstanding scientific research and leadership in the biological sciences.

The researchers discuss the project in its early stages. From left are Aline Novaski Seffrin, doctoral candidate in plant science; Francesco Di Gioia, associate professor of vegetable crop science; and Chenchen Kang, a former post-doctoral scholar in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

New computer vision system can guide specialty crops monitoring

The technology applies an internet of things and artificial intelligence to enhance controlled environment agriculture in advanced greenhouse scenario.

The flavonoids that provide insecticide-like protection to some corn lines against corn earworm larvae also provide pigments to the plants that show up in the silks, husks and kernels. Pictured here are the lines used in the research.  Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Select corn lines contain compounds that sicken, kill major crop pest

The compounds, called flavonoids, have an insecticidal effect on corn earworm larvae.

Alex Storm, left, coordinator of the forest technology associate degree program at Penn State Mont Alto, and Laura Leites, research professor of quantitative forest ecology and assistant dean for access and equity in the College of Agricultural Sciences, are working together to provide undergraduate research opportunities. Credit: Michael Houtz / Penn State. Creative Commons

Growing people and forests: The power of undergraduate research

Mont Alto program coordinator partners with former mentor to support undergraduate research opportunities.

2024 My Green Lab Consultants Zaman Ataie and Ananya Gollakota check the expiration date on a chemical bottle. Credit: Lydia Vandenbergh. All Rights Reserved.

Sustainable Labs Program increases participant engagement, welcomes new labs

Two upcoming virtual sessions will cover how labs can learn more and join next year’s cohort.

Researchers visit the Laguna del Hunco fossil rainforest site in Argentina.  Credit: L. Alejandro Giraldo. All Rights Reserved.

Fossils show leaf-eating insects tracked gum trees for millions of years

New study reveals surprisingly consistent insect feeding damage on fossils from Argentina and modern gum tree leaves from Australia.

Director Bruce Logan, fourth from left, stands with the IEE Research Award winners. From left to right are: Hong Wu, Lisa Emili, Nathaniel Warner, Brian Fronk and Margaret Busse. Lauren McPhillips is not pictured. Credit: Brenna Buck. All Rights Reserved.

Researchers recognized for excellence by Institute of Energy and the Environment

The Institute of Energy and the Environment recognized six Penn State faculty members for their research excellence.

Farmers confer amidst their corn crop, garden and fish ponds. Typically, smallholder fish farms are family-run operations that raise tilapia in small areas of land along with a few crops and some livestock.  Credit: Jacob Johnson. All Rights Reserved.

Researchers explore strategies to aid smallholder fish farmers in Zambia

Fish farming is key to food security in Africa; study shows that optimized agricultural resource management helps fish farmers in Zambia