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!!

A GUT FEELING: CHAKRABORTY’S DIVE INTO THE GUT MICROBIOME & DIETARY HEALTH By Hailey Reiss

October 5, 2021

Inside each of us there exists a place of bountiful bacteria that contribute to our immune health and overall health on a daily basis. While this is not a part of the body’s innate or adaptive immune system, it still contributes to bodily functions each day. It is the gut microbiome.

Dr. Parisa Kalantari joins Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences as new Assistant Professor of Immunology

October 1, 2021

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Parisa Kalantari, Assistant Professor of Immunology, to the department. We are very excited to be welcoming back one of our own! From Dr. Kalantari: I am very excited to join the Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences faculty. Penn State has always felt like home to me and coming back as a faculty member is a dream come true. As a PhD student, I got to work with incredible Professors and I am now delighted to see them become my colleagues and collaborators. As a faculty member, my goal is to create the same supportive environment for my own students. My research interests focus on innate immunity and infectious parasitic diseases. My work seeks to identify new targets and reveal novel immunological strategies for prevention and treatment of schistosomiasis and other Th17 cell-mediated diseases. I am currently studying the mechanisms of action of two pathways that protect the host from developing severe immunopathology. The first project focuses on the cGAS/STING pathway by defining the molecular basis underlying the anti-inflammatory bias imposed by STING, an adaptor molecule important in DNA sensing and type I Interferon production. The second project is to investigate the role of autophagy in suppressing immunopathology. Interested and motivated graduate and undergraduate students are encouraged to apply.

New tool predicts changes that may make COVID variants more infectious

September 30, 2021

Researchers at Penn State have created a novel framework that can predict with reasonable accuracy the amino-acid changes in the virus’ spike protein that may improve its binding to human cells and confer increased infectivity to the virus. The tool could enable the computational surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and provide advance warning of potentially dangerous variants with an even higher binding affinity potential. This can aid in the early implementation of public health measures to prevent the virus’ spread and perhaps even may inform vaccine booster formulations.

NATURAL PRODUCTS & METABOLOMICS: THE KELLOGG LAB By Hailey Reiss

September 21, 2021

From chemistry to metabolomics to ethnobotany, Dr. Joshua Kellogg’s research is a conglomerate of various topics that celebrate the interdisciplinary nature of modern science. His lab is a natural products lab that focuses on health promotion derived from nature including plants, fungi, and bacteria. Currently, some of the lab’s projects include seeking out drugs for both infectious diseases and chronic GI diseases.

ECHO OIF Cycle 4 Announces Award

July 28, 2021

Molly Hall, assistant professor of biomedical sciences, was awarded the NIH ECHO Opportunities and Infrastructure Fund (OIF) Award with Dean Craig Newschaffer, College of Health and Human Development, titled “Integrative genome-exposome method to identify interactions between early life exposures and the genome”.

Grants will aid College of Ag Sciences faculty in commercializing research

July 15, 2021

Three research projects that are demonstrating commercial promise — and have potential to improve lives — have received grants through a Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences program designed to spur innovation.

Animal Diagnostics Lab at PSU hosts 2021 Practitioners’ Meeting

June 16, 2021

On June 8, 2021, ADL hosted the annual Practitioners’ Meeting, a one-day continuing education event primarily for veterinarians who utilized the diagnostics services offered by ADL.

Metzger Family Names Space In New "Animal, Veterinary, and Biomedical Sciences" Building

June 8, 2021

The motivation to make a philanthropic gift to an organization is different for every donor, but in many cases, it boils down to the desire to make a positive impact. This rings true for Dr. Fred Metzger Jr. and his wife, Megan, who have made the first major gift to support the new Animal, Veterinary, and Biomedical Sciences Building. The seven-figure gift to name the general purpose classroom in the facility will provide funding for the departments of animal science and veterinary and biomedical sciences to support the state-of-the-art facility expected to open in the fall of 2021.

Acar receives Excellence in Academic Advising Award from College of Ag Sciences

June 4, 2021

Nüket Acar, coordinator of undergraduate advising for veterinary and biomedical sciences, has received the 2021 Excellence in Academic Advising Award from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Dr. Sougat Misra Receives the College of Ag Sciences RAIN Grant

June 3, 2021

Researcher from VBS receives the College of Ag Sciences RAIN grant for the second consecutive year! Congrats to Dr. Sougat Misra, Asst. Research Professor, for his successful application for the Research Applications for Innovation (RAIN) grant from the College of Agricultural Sciences. The grant is awarded to one innovative research project annually with the intent to commercialize technologies developed by the researchers in the College. It is one of the most prestigious College-level funding opportunities for pursuing innovative and translational research. Dr. Misra will use the funding to pursue his studies to assess the efficacies of two novel combinatorial therapeutic regimens for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. His work involves pharmacological targeting of an amino acid transporter, essential for the proliferation and survival of leukemic cells, to enhance the delivery of small molecule candidate therapeutics. Preclinical studies involving highly relevant murine models of leukemia will ascertain the effectiveness of the proposed therapeutic interventions in this aggressive form of blood cancer. Congrats to him! Dr. Anthony Schmitt won the award last year in the Department.

Dr. Nüket Acar nominated and selected as the recipient of the 2021 Excellence in Academic Advising Award

May 25, 2021

Congratulations to Dr. Acar for being nominated and selected as the recipient of the 2021 Excellence in Academic Advising Award. This award is presented by the College of Ag’s Alumni Society annually to recognize excellence in advising undergraduate students in the College of Agricultural Sciences. Dr. Acar’s nomination was supported by current students, alumni, and Penn State faculty, and is a true tribute to the important impact she has on the lives of our students.

College of Ag Sciences students recognized in Diversity Essay Contest

May 18, 2021

Three students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have been recognized for their commitment to diversity as winners of the second annual Undergraduate Diversity Essay Contest, which is sponsored by the college’s Diversity Coordinating Council.

Schmitt receives Research Innovators Award from College of Ag Sciences

May 10, 2021

Anthony Schmitt, professor of virology, is the 2021 recipient of the Research Innovators Award, given by the Office for Research and Graduate Education and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.