Huck Institutes

While AI is rapidly transforming the tools that are central to global health decision-making, it could also exacerbate existing disparities, according to Matt Ferrari, professor of biology and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics at the @HuckInstitutes.

Congratulations to Plant Biology graduate students Maria Alejandra Gil Polo and Kyra LoPiccolo, who were among the 36 Penn State grad students awarded scholarships from the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Endowment: psu.edu/news/fox-gradu…

Penn State engineers are blending art and science to create cute, paint-on tattoos that could help spot heart attacks early, power robotic prosthetics and read brain waves — all within a colorful, customizable system that can be washed away or reapplied. psu.edu/news/research/…

A team led by Professor of Chemical Engineering Andrew Zydney has received the inaugural Most Impactful Project Award from the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals. Zydney previously served as director of @CoEIB_PSU. psu.edu/news/engineeri…

This year's Ag Progress Days offers an opportunity for visitors to get advice from Penn State Master Gardeners and will feature research on bee ecology, evolution and biodiversity from Associate Professor of Entomology Margarita López-Uribe. psu.edu/news/agricultu…

Gwendolyn Burgess, a postdoctoral fellow in biology at Penn State, has been awarded a Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award from the NIH National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. psu.edu/news/huck-inst…

Fourteen interdisciplinary research teams, including multiple collaborations featuring Huck faculty members, have received funding through the Institute of Energy and the Environment’s (IEE) 2026 Seed Grant Program. iee.psu.edu/news/fourteen-…

Twelve research projects—including several led by Huck faculty—have been selected for the 2026 Penn State Commercialization GAP Fund. Awarded projects receive funding and support to develop proof-of-concept research into commercial ready technology. psu.edu/news/research/…

Some corn plants are genetically predisposed to develop longer, less constricted water-conducting tissues and deeper roots, which helps them deal with drought. That’s the conclusion of a team led by Penn State researchers that studied the plant’s xylem. psu.edu/news/research/…

Congratulations to the staff award winners recently recognized for their outstanding contributions to the Huck's mission over the 2025-26 academic year: Scott Boor, Ashley Gallagher, Nathan Hamm, and Mike Uchneat; Jessica Mondi; Rajeswaran Mani; and Kerry Hair

The countdown to World Microbiome Day continues! 🦠 Meet Sebastián León Fallas, a Research Technologist in Seth Bordenstein's Lab (@Symbionticism) in @PennStateBio. His work explores how gut microbes shape reproduction & evolution in fruit flies. #WorldMicrobiomeDay #OneHealth

This week is national pollinator week! To celebrate, Penn State News has collected information on some of the pollinator-focused research, education and conservation efforts conducted by Penn State Extension Master Gardeners: psu.edu/news/agricultu…

Counting down to World Microbiome Day (June 27)! 🦠 Meet Sabrina Elkassas, a Postdoc in Estelle Couradeau's lab (@Gloeomargarita) at @penn_state. Her research is helping expand our understanding of the microbial world and environmental health. #WorldMicrobiomeDay #OneHealth

World Microbiome Day is almost here! As we count down to June 27, we're highlighting trainees advancing microbiome science. Today's feature: Jessica Gaydos, a PhD candidate in Guy Townsend's lab (@GETxLAB) at @PennStHershey. #WorldMicrobiomeDay #OneHealth

In a recent Q&A with Penn State News, Vesell Professor of Pharmacology Kent Vrana discussed the relationship between plant science and human health and the growing role of plant-derived solutions in medicine. psu.edu/news/research/…

Research Professor Camelia Kantor, director of strategic initiatives at Penn State’s Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, has been selected as a 2026 Future of the Field honoree by the Society of Research Administrators International. Full story: psu.edu/news/huck-inst…

🎉 Congratulations to Josh Kellogg on being named a 2026–27 @huckinstitutes Leadership Fellow! We’re proud to celebrate his leadership and commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary research at Penn State. Read more: psu.edu/news/huck-inst…

In a Q&A with Penn State News, Waller Professor of Biology Sarah Assmann discussed how plants cope with environmental stress and how more resilient crops could not only increase agricultural food security but also help cool the warming climate. psu.edu/news/research/…

🏅 Congratulations to @jacquesravel, named the 2026 Microbiome Medal Laureate. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to microbiome science, mentorship, and service. Ravel will deliver the 2026 Microbiome Medal Lecture on Nov 6 at Penn State. 🔗: psu.edu/news/research/…

To improve understanding of the changes in the brain and body during acclimation to stress, the NIH National Institute of General Medical Sciences has awarded a five-year, $2 million grant to Grayson Sipe, assistant professor of biology. psu.edu/news/eberly-co…