What does the detection of avian flu mean for Pennsylvania?

April 21, 2022

Pennsylvania is the latest state to report a confirmed detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, in a commercial poultry flock, leading state officials, industry leaders and Penn State poultry specialists to redouble efforts to contain the virus and educate producers, backyard flock owners and the public about the disease.

Penn State students engage with local Latino farmworker community

April 15, 2022

An innovative community service-learning course, “Community Engaged Learning with Pennsylvania Farmworkers,” offered by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, brings students of all disciplines together to teach and engage with immigrant farmworkers living in Centre County.  

McKayla Nicol Receives Penn State Association Scholarship

April 14, 2022

The Penn State Alumni Association Scholarship for Penn State Alumni in the Graduate School provides recognition for academic excellence to students who have been admitted to the Penn State Graduate School to pursue a graduate degree and who received their undergraduate degree from the University. This scholarship is funded through an endowment created by the Penn State Alumni Association. McKayla is a doctoral student in Pathobiology with a dual title in Clinical and Translational Sciences.

“Perspective: Leaders at Penn State” video series shares insights from Penn State thought leaders

April 14, 2022

Richard Roush shares perspective on fishing and curiosity in video series

Preventing, controlling spread of animal diseases focus of forum at Penn State

April 7, 2022

Exploring the emergence, spread and control of animal infectious diseases such as avian influenza was the focus of the inaugural Emerging Animal Infectious Disease Conference held Nov. 29-Dec.1, 2021, at Penn State. It was hosted by the College of Agricultural Sciences, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Penn State’s Center for Security Research and Education.

Gamma Sigma Delta lauds outstanding College of Ag Sciences faculty, students

April 5, 2022

The Penn State chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta, the agricultural honor society, recognized Penn State faculty and students during its annual meeting, which was held March 31.

Study will assess prepartum aspirin regimens to improve cow health, performance

March 17, 2022

A U.S. Department of Agriculture grant of nearly $637,000 will enable a team of Penn State and University of Pennsylvania researchers to study whether treating prepartum cows with an anti-inflammatory medication will reduce discomfort and inflammation and lead to improved health and higher milk production after calving.

Inhalable aerogel shows promise for transmission-blocking COVID-19 vaccine

March 17, 2022

An inhalable "aerogel" loaded with DNA that encodes for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein successfully induces an immune response against COVID-19 in the lungs of mice, according to new research conducted at Penn State. The team said its aerogel could be used to create an inhalable vaccine that blocks SARS-CoV-2 transmission by preventing the virus from establishing an infection in the lungs.

Inhalable aerogel triggers immunity to COVID-19 in mice, may block transmission

March 17, 2022

An inhalable "aerogel" loaded with DNA that encodes for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein successfully induces an immune response against COVID-19 in the lungs of mice, according to new research conducted at Penn State. The team said its aerogel could be used to create an inhalable vaccine that blocks SARS-CoV-2 transmission by preventing the virus from establishing an infection in the lungs.

Faculty in College of Agricultural Sciences lauded for excellence in teaching

March 16, 2022

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has recognized five faculty members for outstanding teaching in 2021.

VBSC's Dr. Robert Van Saun Is Selected As A Recipient Of The 2021 Community of Teaching Excellence Award

March 9, 2022

The Community of Teaching Excellence Award is a reflection of commitment to the students and teaching programs within the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, as well as throughout the College of Agricultural Sciences! Faculty are awarded for their belief and support of excellence in teaching and the College’s educational efforts. These faculty are appreciated and recognized by their peers with this award. Congratulations Dr. Van Saun for a job well done!!

Poultry flock owners urged to step up biosecurity in response to avian flu

March 1, 2022

The detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds and domestic flocks in several Eastern and Midwestern states is prompting urgent calls from Penn State poultry experts for flock owners — and others who may come into proximity to flocks — to step up their biosecurity practices. At risk is Pennsylvania's large poultry industry, the state's second largest agricultural sector.

Podcast explores tackling complex problems through One Health

March 1, 2022

A transdisciplinary team of Penn State researchers is exploring how One Health, an approach that recognizes the interconnectedness among human health, ecosystem health and animal health, may be able to tackle complex health problems facing Pennsylvania.

ACROSS THE COUNTRY: HOW ONE GRAD STUDENT HAS MADE THE MOVE TO MAKE THEIR MARK, BY: Hailey Reiss

February 28, 2022

With a dream of working in virology and infectious disease, with a taste of parasitology through schistosomiasis, Darnella Cole found herself entering a Ph.D. program at Penn State. She has a warm, vibrant personality and a way of speaking that makes it clear that she is passionate about this program and her future in science. Originally from a small university in Alabama, Cole recalled being shocked by all the options that she had here at Penn State University. Despite all these options, she noted the importance of having a general sense of what you want to achieve with the pathobiology program. This is due to the specialization of the program. As a first-year grad student, Cole remarked upon the welcoming and helpful nature of the entire department, especially the older grad students. “Kudos to the grad students. They are extremely helpful to incoming students—I mean, we know nothing!” Cole gushed. She spoke of her own initial concerns in the program, including registering for classes, and how older students had been incredibly helpful in her journey thus far. Even with their help, Cole recalled the initial challenges she faced in the program. Most importantly, the move from Alabama to Pennsylvania was a huge adjustment. From demographics, to culture, to weather, Cole found it difficult to adjust at first. Coupled with the fact that she had been out of school for a little, she found herself needing to find ways to adjust to her new environments. Fortunately, she managed to do exactly that. What she learned from this experience and hopes to express to other new grad students is that patience is key. It is okay that things are not easy right away, but so long as you have patience, they will work out okay in the end. In the end, Cole noted how the first year of grad school is filled with excitement and change. Students can expect to take courses in their first and second semesters as they consider which lab they may be interested in joining. Typically, first-year grad students have the opportunity to complete three lab rotations of five weeks each during the fall semester. After this is complete, they then select the lab they intend to spend the rest of their program in.

Omicron detected for first time in white-tailed deer

February 21, 2022

Some white-tailed deer living in Staten Island, New York, are actively infected with the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of SARS-CoV-2, according to new research led by scientists at Penn State. The team also found neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in one of the Omicron-infected deer, suggesting that, like humans, deer can be reinfected with the virus.

Ag. Sciences students top all US universities with $1.1M in USDA funding

February 14, 2022

Seven students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have received predoctoral fellowships from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The students received a combined total of nearly $1.1 million — the most received for this year's fellowships among U.S. universities.

FROM MEDICINE TO PATHOBIOLOGY: ONE GRAD STUDENT’S JOURNEY, By: Hailey Reiss

January 25, 2022

Cheng is a vibrant individual with an excellent sense of humor. He is a current pathobiology graduate student here at Penn State and is inching closer the conclusion of his program. His research centers around leukemia and discovering novel treatment for the disease.

Hayley Springer Accepted To The Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders Program

January 24, 2022

VBSC"s Hayley Springer was nominated for, and recently notified that she was accepted to the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders program, a leadership development program through the National Institutes of Animal Agriculture (NIAA). This program focuses on critical thinking, leadership development, and communication skills to engage a range of audiences, as well as improving participants understanding of the variety of approaches to food production across the value chain. NIAA has been a major player in discussions surrounding antimicrobial use and resistance within animal agriculture, hosting an annual meeting on the topic.

International agriculture minor helps put Penn State grad on path to vet school

January 7, 2022

During her senior capstone class in international agriculture, Penn State alumna Abigail Seeley worked on a grant proposal that has proved valuable as she works to become a veterinarian.

Penn State unveils new Animal, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Building

December 1, 2021

Faculty, staff and students joined University leaders, HOK architectural firm and Turner Construction Co. executives, donors, and guests on Dec. 1 for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new Animal, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Building on Penn State's University Park campus.

Enrollment available now: VBSC 597A "Current Trends in Infectious Disease Research" Spring 2022

November 30, 2021

Fridays, 10:00 - 11:55 AM, 2 credits - Instructors: Anthony Schmitt, Troy Sutton, Girish Kirimanjeswara, Ed Dudley This course provides students with opportunities to read, present, and discuss current papers from the scientific literature. The papers will reflect new and innovative methods of studying the molecular mechanisms by which viral and bacterial pathogens infect hosts, evade immune defenses, and cause disease. Students will learn and evaluate new experimental approaches and techniques, and think critically about data interpretation. The course also provides opportunities for students to develop and refine both scientific writing and oral presentation skills in preparation for graduate-level qualifying and comprehensive exams.

Enrolling Now: VBSC/BMB 485: Human Genomics and Biomedical Informatics

November 29, 2021

Fridays, 10:00 - 11:55 AM, 2 credits - Instructors: Anthony Schmitt, Troy Sutton, Girish Kirimanjeswara, Ed Dudley This course provides students with opportunities to read, present, and discuss current papers from the scientific literature. The papers will reflect new and innovative methods of studying the molecular mechanisms by which viral and bacterial pathogens infect hosts, evade immune defenses, and cause disease. Students will learn and evaluate new experimental approaches and techniques, and think critically about data interpretation. The course also provides opportunities for students to develop and refine both scientific writing and oral presentation skills in preparation for graduate-level qualifying and comprehensive exams.

Now Accepting Applications For Fall 2022 Pathobiology Graduate Students

November 24, 2021

The Pathobiology graduate program is designed for students wishing to conduct PhD-level research in the areas of toxicology, cancer biology, immunology, or infectious disease.

PPAR: The Function of a Receptor May Offer a Greater Understanding of a Metabolism & Cancer

November 23, 2021

(Credit to: Hailey Reiss) Dr. Jeffrey Peters is an accomplished researcher who manages to serve the university and his students well through his research and involvement while also spending much-needed time with his family.

Maurice Byukusenge Passes His Microbiology Board Exams With Specialty In Virology

November 22, 2021

Maurice is a graduate of the Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Pathobiology Program (2019). Maurice plans to join the department at ADL in January/February of 2022 as Assistant Clinical Professor of Genomics and One Health. Maurice was mentored by Suresh Kuchipudi for his microbiology board exams.

Veterinary researcher named Huck Chair in Emerging Infectious Diseases

November 8, 2021

Suresh Kuchipudi, clinical professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, has been named Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Chair in Emerging Infectious Diseases in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences.

Deer May Be Reservoir For SARS-CoV-2, Study Finds

November 4, 2021

More than 80% of the white-tailed deer sampled in different parts of Iowa between December 2020 and January 2021 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The findings suggest that white-tailed deer may be a reservoir for the virus to continually circulate and raise concerns of emergence of new strains that may prove a threat to wildlife and, possibly, to humans.

Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences Scholarships and Awards Virtual Celebration

October 21, 2021

Hello! We are excited to have you join us for the 2021 College of Agricultural Sciences Scholarships and Awards Virtual Celebration. While we wish we could be together in person, we hope you will enjoy this virtual presentation to recognize and thank all of the generous donors who make such a positive impact on our college.

VBSC 2021 Grier Scholarship Recipients Awarded

October 19, 2021

On behalf of the VBSC Scholarship Committee we want to congratulate Shaneice Nettleford and McKayla Nicol on being awarded the Grier Scholarship for this academic year. This award recognizes the tremendous academic efforts they have put into their graduate program. We had a very competitive group of applicants this year and are happy to be able to award these two deserving students. Congratulations to you both!

McKayla Nicol Receives the College of Agricultural Sciences Outstanding Dissertation Award

October 18, 2021

Pathobiology graduate student McKayla Nicol was awarded the College of Agricultural Sciences Outstanding Dissertation Award in recognition for her outstanding nomination for the "Alumni Association Dissertation Award" which showcases McKayla's achievements in scholarship and professional accomplishments. The Alumni Association Dissertation Award is among the most prestigious awards available to Graduate Students at Penn State. The Office for Research and Graduate Education in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences has recently submitted her nomination to the Graduate School as one of the top four nominations in the College. Congratulations McKayla!!