College of Ag Sciences recognizes faculty, staff for research achievements

November 21, 2023

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences lauded outstanding accomplishments in research during the 2023 Research Awards Ceremony, held Nov. 1 at the Hintz Family Alumni Center on the University Park campus.

$7M grant funds project to develop new ways to protect mushroom crops

November 16, 2023

A new grant for more than $7 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture will fund an upcoming project led by Penn State researchers, who aim to develop new pest management tools for mushroom crops.

$1.45M NSF grant to fund new research into how grasses thrive in dry climates

November 14, 2023

A new $1.45 million grant from the National Science Foundation will allow Penn State researchers, including undergraduate students, to explore how pores on plant surfaces work and might be engineered to enhance photosynthesis and efficient water use.

Penn State Pullers to raise support on GivingTuesday for design competition

November 13, 2023

Penn State will celebrate its ninth GivingTuesday on Tuesday, Nov. 28 — and the Penn State Pullers student-run engineering design team invites alumni and friends to participate by showing support for the club.

Penn State senior selected as Marshall Scholarship finalist

November 8, 2023

Penn State senior Vancie Peacock recently was selected as finalist for a 2024 Marshall Scholarship. Peacock, of Memphis, Tennessee, is a biological engineering major in the College of Agricultural Sciences and a Schreyer Scholar. 

Plant polymers as plastic alternatives

October 26, 2023

Professor Jeffrey Catchmark and his team believe they have a solution to plastic alternatives using common plant-based materials to create sustainable food packaging.

Predicting nationwide crop water availability by understanding soil influences

October 24, 2023

A team of researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to generate knowledge and tools, such as national-level predictive models, to develop a better understanding of how changes in soil texture and structure influence the availability of water for crops.

Replacing 3D printing plastics with plant-derived materials

October 20, 2023

A sustainable resin material comprising agriculturally derived components could potentially replace plastics used in large-format 3D printing, which can produce furniture, boats and other similarly sized objects, according to a team of Penn State agricultural and biological engineers.

Penn State partners with Monash University for Australia water quality research

October 4, 2023

A group of Penn State students recently traveled to Australia as part of a partnership between Penn State and Monash University to conduct research aimed at better understanding sources of decreased water quality in watersheds, in addition to finding possible solutions.

Penn State work featured in upcoming long-term Franklin Institute space exhibit

September 29, 2023

A video that highlights the work a Penn State team is doing to 3D print houses that can sustain life on Mars is featured in a new $8.5 million core exhibit opening Nov. 4 at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. 

Grain bin and silo safety tips for National Farm Safety and Health Week

September 24, 2023

With harvest season here and National Farm Safety and Health Week happening from Sept. 17 to Sept. 23, farm safety and agricultural experts from Ohio State University and Penn State University are reminding people how to operate grain bins and silos safely.

Penn State Pullers engineering design team wins two international awards

August 14, 2023

The Penn State Pullers, a student engineering design team in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, won the Test and Development Award and Sportsmanship Award at the International Quarter Scale Tractor Student Design Competition in Peoria, Illinois, this June.

Rye the Right Crop for “Nabbing” Nitrates, Capturing Carbon and Generating Bioenergy

August 13, 2023

Recent USDA news release of study in with Dr. Thomas Richard, Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, and former graduate student Steph Herbstritt.

USDA grant funds study of effectiveness of vegetation to curb water pollution

July 20, 2023

 At a time when Pennsylvania is actively working to achieve water-quality improvements to meet the state’s obligations for cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay, a multidisciplinary Penn State research team is studying whether agricultural pollution-prevention devices called riparian buffers are working properly. 

Ag Progress Days farm safety demonstrations focus on ATV hazards

July 5, 2023

Visitors to the Farm Safety Demonstration Area at Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, Aug. 8-10, can learn about the hazards of all-terrain vehicles and ways to minimize the risk of rollovers. Free health screenings and pesticide safety classes also will be available.

Penn State Extension Offers Youth Tractor Safety Manual in Spanish

June 23, 2023

Developed by the ag safety and health team in Penn State's Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, this comprehensive guide complements safety training for youth ages 14 and 15 interested in production agriculture.

Congratulations to Vancie Peacock for taking the 1st place Engineering Award in 2023 Undergraduate Exhibit

June 21, 2023

Twenty-four students earn awards at the 2023 Undergraduate Exhibition

Spring 2023 Graduates

June 6, 2023

ABE Faculty and Staff wish to congratulate our Spring 2023 Graduates

Penn State engineers report low-cost human biomarker sensor designs

May 31, 2023

Penn State researchers have developed a low-cost, RNA-based technology to detect and measure biomarkers, which can help decode the body’s physiology. The presence of protein biomarkers can indicate chronic or acute conditions, from arthritis to cancer to bacterial infections, for which conventional tests can cost anywhere from $100 to upwards of $1,000. The new technology can perform the same measurement for about a dollar.

Energy, environmental seed grants awarded to interdisciplinary research teams

May 2, 2023

The 19 interdisciplinary research teams that received funding include more than 75 researchers who are affiliated with 10 colleges and research units across seven Penn State campuses.

Penn State junior Vancie Peacock named 2023 Udall Scholar

May 1, 2023

Vancie Peacock, a Penn State junior majoring in biological engineering, has been awarded a 2023 Udall Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes U.S. college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service and commitment to Native American issues or the environment.

College of Engineering names student marshals for spring 2023 commencement

April 25, 2023

The Penn State College of Engineering has named its student marshals for the spring 2023 commencement ceremony. One student is selected to represent each of the 14 majors associated with the college and the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program.

Extension experts release guidelines to increase safety of manure-storage

April 17, 2023

Farming is one of the most dangerous work environments in the U.S. Among the factors that contribute to farming’s risk profile is the potential presence of toxic gases associated with manure storage facilities. As manure storage emptying season approaches, Penn State researchers seek to reinforce the message that increased awareness of manure gas dangers saves lives.

Pulsed Light Technology Helps Kill Harmful Food Pathogens

April 13, 2023

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that roughly one in six Americans -- or 48 million people -- get sick each year; 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases.

Congratulations to our ABE graduate students who earned prizes at 2023 Graduate Exhibition

April 13, 2023

Seventy-six graduate students earn prizes at 2023 Graduate Exhibition

Stronger paper bags, reused repeatedly then recycled for biofuel could be future

April 11, 2023

As the world searches for ways to reduce the use of plastics such as single-use plastic bags, a novel study by Penn State researchers demonstrates a process to make paper bags stronger — especially when they get wet — to make them a more viable alternative.

Penn State Global announces 2022-23 faculty, staff, student awards

April 7, 2023

Penn State Global has announced the 2022-23 recipients of its annual awards that recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals and academic programs at Penn State who have helped to advance the University’s global engagement goals.

ABE colleagues in the news

March 27, 2023

We wish to congratulate a few of our colleagues and students for their recent accomplishments and for enhancing our visibility and impact.

‘Manureshed’ management in Susquehanna River basin key to Chesapeake Bay cleanup

March 22, 2023

A novel study by a Penn State-led research team suggests that “manureshed” management in the Susquehanna River basin could make a big difference in the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay.

Penn State student learns about sustainability and conservation efforts in Chile

March 22, 2023

Penn State student Emma Luksic recently traveled with classmates to Chile and the Patagonia region of South America, where she learned about environmental conservation efforts aimed at protecting Chile’s ecosystems.