The strength of our research resides in four main program themes: Chemical Ecology; Ecological Applications; Disease Biology and Ecology; Pollinator Biology, Health and Ecology
As you view our Web site, you will discover our department's unique depth of concentration in several key research areas. Unlike many departments where one individual represents a given specialty field, we have at least several faculty members working in each specialty. This will provide you with a very unique experience--multiple faculty members with strong expertise to serve on your thesis committees and a larger network of graduate students sharing common interests. This synergy facilitates a group learning experience and increases the possibility of participation in research teams.
The strength of our research resides in three main program themes: Chemical Ecology, Ecological Applications, and Disease Biology and Ecology. Across all three research areas, students will find faculty who are very collaborative and work well together. In many instances students take advantage of the depth of faculty research expertise and utilize co-advisers for their graduate studies.
Our strength in Chemical Ecology is exceptional for any program in the United States. During the past two years we have hired Jared Ali, Etya Amsalem, and Tanya Renner to our existing team of chemical ecologists.
Our Ecological Applications group is excellent, with research spanning the theoretical to the applied. What is particularly noteworthy about this core of faculty is their extensive use of modeling to forecast pests and diseases in space and time.
We have an exceptional research group in Disease Biology and Ecology with research teams focusing on infectious diseases, vector borne diseases, insect pathology, insect immunity, and symbiosis. We recently hired Erika Machtinger and Elizabeth McGraw to strengthen this core of excellent scientists.
Pollinator Biology, Health and Ecology
The Center for Pollinator Research at Pennsylvania State University is committed to developing and implementing integrative, multidisciplinary approaches to improving pollinator health, conservation, and management for ecosystems services through research, education, outreach and policy.
