The PlantWorks initiative and Penn State’s longstanding strength in plant research to spark discovery, drive innovation, and deliver real-world impact. Rooted in collaboration and inspired by possibility, the initiative brings together interdisciplinary research to seed the future and help address some of society’s most pressing challenges:
- protecting crops from emerging threats
- improving farm profitability
- advancing human health
- restoring soil productivity
- pioneering alternative uses for plant-based products
Penn State is uniquely positioned to connect these priorities through one integrated research ecosystem and one next-generation platform for discovery and deployment.
Research Priorities
Five strategic research priorities in plant science designed for impact
Impact and Investment
Impact and investment drive discovery, innovation, and long-term public benefit
Plant Innovation Complex
Accelerate plant science from discovery to real-world impact
The Power of Plants at Penn State
Where plant science connects, grows, and drives innovation
Plant Stories
Explore headlines shaping lives, communities, and global challenges.
Initiative Leaders
Christina Grozinger
- Director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences
- Publius Vergilius Maro Professor and Huck Scholar of Entomology
Troy Ott
- Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences
- C. Lee Rumberger and Family Chair in Agricultural Sciences
Tracy Langkilde
- Verne M. Willaman Dean of the Eberly College of Science
- Professor of Biology
