De la Fuente’s team uses AI to design entirely new antibiotics—shifting the paradigm in drug discovery. 🗓 Date: Dec 5 📍 Foster Auditorium, Paterno Library (In-person & online) 🚨 Registration required. #AI #Antibiotics #Microbiome #PennState #HuckInstitutes

Join us at Penn State University via the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences + One Health Microbiome Center seminar series. Why it matters: - Antimicrobial resistance claimed over 1 million lives in 2019 and is a top global health threat.

🚀 Big news! On December 5, we’re thrilled to welcome AI-biologist legend César de la Fuente to campus for a lecture on using machine learning to discover the next generation of antibiotics.

🏅 Award recipients: • 5 yrs: Yuting Bai, Ana Butler, Irina Tishina • 15 yrs: Paula Ralph • 25 yrs: Edward Wagner • Biology Staff Award: Mindy Vail • Research Staff Award: Huiqing Zeng #PennStateBiology #WeAre #StaffAppreciation

👏 Thank you for everything you do—our research, teaching, and outreach wouldn’t be possible without you! 🧪 Costume highlights: • Advising team as “The Weather” ☁️🌪️• Office staff as Mad Scientist & Mice 🧫🐭 (winners of Scariest Costume!)

🎉 Congratulations to our incredible Biology staff! Last week, the College celebrated the annual Staff Appreciation Awards & Lunch, and several of our team members were recognized for their outstanding service.

Join our seminar next Tuesday

Proof that you don’t have to live by the ocean to be inspired to study it. #PennStateBiology #MarineScience #CoralReefs #Ecology #STEM #Research

A fun fact: Dr. Majoris grew up in western Pennsylvania—far from the ocean! 🌾 After a summer at Penn State’s Governor’s School, he set up a saltwater aquarium in his basement. When the fish began breeding, it sparked a lifelong fascination with marine life. 🐠💙

His advice for students drawn to marine science: 💬 “Pursue the questions that truly fascinate you. Marine research can be unpredictable and demanding, but genuine curiosity will carry you through.”

He’s excited to join Penn State Biology’s vibrant community — collaborating with colleagues who study life from genes to ecosystems, and bringing a marine perspective to conversations on ecology, evolution, and behavior. 🔬🌎

“What excites me most,” he says, “is uncovering how such small creatures make such big journeys—and realizing that these invisible movements are what keep coral reef ecosystems thriving.” 🌿✨

Like Nemo, most reef fishes start life drifting through vast waters. Dr. Majoris explores how early life traits — like swimming ability and behavior — shape where young fish go and how reef populations stay connected. 🐟🌏

🐠 Meet Dr. John Majoris, one of the newest faculty members in Penn State Biology! His lab studies the “real-life Finding Nemo” — how tiny reef fish larvae navigate the open ocean to find a reef to call home. 🌊👇🧵

#PennState #Sustainability #Pollinators #NativePlants #LivingLabs #StudentResearch #CampusLife

👏 A big shout-out to all the students, faculty (especially Denise Woodward), staff, and partners who made this happen. This is exactly the kind of project that shows how ecology and sustainability don’t just live in textbooks — they live here, now.

They enhance the aesthetics and visitor experience of the golf course, while reducing maintenance costs. The project lays groundwork for future sustainability initiatives and possibly an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program certification.

💡 Why this matters: These native gardens support pollinators and biodiversity on campus grounds. They provide a living-lab experience for students connecting classroom theory with real-world application.

Plus: QR codes placed in the gardens allow visitors to learn about the project and the student team behind it.

From tall, unmanaged grasses to vibrant beds buzzing with bees, butterflies, and even the occasional bunny and squirrel — this is what real sustainability in action looks like.