About The Pennsylvania State University

Dr. Ottar N. Bjornstad serves as Distinguished Professor of Entomology and Biology and holds the J. Lloyd & Dorothy Foehr Huck Chair of Epidemiology at The Pennsylvania State University. His research operates at the intersection of ecology, mathematical biology, and statistics, focusing on understanding population dynamics and disease outbreaks. His work encompasses five key areas: ecological statistics, population dynamics, species interactions, spatial dynamics, and infectious disease ecology. As a theoretical ecologist, he has made significant contributions to understanding the spread of diseases, including COVID-19, measles, whooping cough, and influenza. His research combines sophisticated mathematical modeling with empirical data analysis to study how diseases spread through populations. He has published extensively in prestigious journals like Science and Nature, with highly cited works on spatial synchrony in population dynamics and infectious disease modeling. Through his course "Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases" on Coursera, he shares his expertise in epidemiological modeling with a global audience. Dr. Bjornstad received his Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Oslo and has become a leading figure in the field of ecological epidemiology, particularly in developing methods for analyzing spatiotemporal data in disease outbreaks

Dr. Peter Hudson is the Willaman Professor of Biology and Director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University. A leading authority in wildlife disease ecology, his research explores the dynamics of infectious diseases in animal populations through an integrated approach combining field studies, laboratory research, and mathematical modeling. His work focuses on understanding epidemiology, heterogeneities in disease transmission, and parasite interactions, shedding light on how infections persist and spread among hosts. Dr. Hudson’s research has significant implications for managing wildlife health and controlling emerging zoonotic diseases that threaten global ecosystems

Dr. David P. Hughes currently serves as the Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Chair in Global Food Security and Director of USAID Innovation Lab on Current and Emerging Threats to Crops at Penn State University. His remarkable career evolution began with groundbreaking research on the "zombie ant phenomenon," studying parasitic fungi that control ant behavior, and has transformed into leading global initiatives for food security. With a DPhil in Entomology from Oxford University and a BSc in Zoology from the University of Glasgow, he has made significant contributions to understanding disease dynamics in both natural and agricultural systems. He founded PlantVillage, an innovative platform that uses AI algorithms and computer software to help smallholder farmers combat pests and adapt to climate change. His work spans from studying behavioral manipulation by parasites in insect societies to developing technological solutions for global agricultural challenges. As a UN Fellow at the Food and Agricultural Organization (2018-2020), he has expanded his impact on international food security. Through his course "Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases," he shares his expertise in disease ecology and its implications for both natural and agricultural systems with a global audience.

Dr. Mary L. Poss serves as Professor of Biology and Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University, where she is a key member of both the Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics and the Center for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics. Her research focuses on understanding viral adaptation to changing host environments, spanning from cellular to population scales. Her work encompasses four major areas: using viruses as markers to study host population dynamics for conservation and infection ecology, investigating emerging virus infections and their adaptation to new host species, studying virus-innate immunity interactions in respiratory and lentivirus infections, and examining pathogen interactions in cases of multiple infections. As an instructor for the Coursera course "Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases," she shares her expertise in viral evolution and host-pathogen relationships with a global audience. Her innovative approach combines experimental systems with computational methods to understand how viruses respond to new host environments, contributing significantly to our understanding of emerging diseases and viral adaptation mechanisms.

Dr. Rachel A. Smith serves as Professor of Communication Arts & Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University, where she holds joint appointments as an investigator in the Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics and the Methodology Center. Her research focuses on understanding how social influences shape health behaviors and communication, particularly in the context of infectious diseases and genomics. With expertise in quantitative methods, including dyadic and social network analysis, she examines how social identities, interactions, and memberships influence health outcomes. Her work has had significant international impact, including leading PEPFAR program evaluations in Namibia and developing innovations for malaria and food security in Mozambique. As an educator, she teaches courses on persuasion, communication theory, health communication, and intercultural communication, while also leading graduate seminars in quantitative research methods and social influence. Her research has been funded by major organizations including NIH, the Gates Foundation, CDC, and USAID. She has authored over 50 scientific publications and made numerous presentations in scientific and policy forums. Her current research focuses on developing theoretical models of stigma communication and optimizing network-based health interventions, particularly examining how social approval influences health behaviors and campaign effectiveness.

Dr. Alexander N. Hristov serves as Distinguished Professor of Dairy Nutrition in the Department of Animal Science at The Pennsylvania State University, where he maintains a 25% teaching and 75% research appointment. His academic journey began in Bulgaria, where he earned his Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition from the Bulgarian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, followed by research positions at USDA-ARS Dairy Forage Research Center and Agriculture Canada's Research Center. Prior to joining Penn State in 2008, he spent nine years at the University of Idaho as Assistant and Associate Professor. His research focuses on optimizing dairy cow nutrition and reducing environmental impact through improved dietary nutrient utilization and reduced gaseous emissions. At Penn State, he teaches crucial courses including Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, Advanced Dairy Herd Management, and Ruminology, while also leading the popular Coursera MOOC "Dairy Production and Management." His scholarly contributions include over 120 refereed journal articles, several book chapters, and two edited books. He holds editorial positions with prestigious journals and serves as coordinator for the Network and Database on Feed and Nutrition in Relation to Greenhouse Gas Emissions, demonstrating his commitment to sustainable dairy production practices.

Dr. Bhushan Jayarao serves as the Director of Penn State Animal Diagnostic Laboratory (ADL), bringing over four decades of expertise in veterinary science and public health. His educational background includes a BVSc and MVSc from Bombay Veterinary College, a PhD in Veterinary Public Health from the University of Veterinary Sciences in Budapest, and an MPH from the University of Tennessee. His career spans clinical practice in Mumbai (1980-1986) to significant academic and research positions at Penn State. He has developed several pioneering programs, most notably the Pennsylvania Quality Milk Program, which has gained international recognition as a model for translational research. His contributions include developing two significant courses - Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Epidemiology - while maintaining research focuses on food safety, emerging infectious diseases, and occupational health in veterinary settings. His expertise has been sought internationally, having advised public health agencies in Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and India. His distinguished career includes service as a Congressional Science Fellow/Science Advisor to the United States Congress (2008-2009), demonstrating his commitment to bridging scientific research with public policy. Through his research, teaching, and administrative roles, Dr. Jayarao continues to advance the field of veterinary public health while mentoring the next generation of professionals

Dr. Chad Dechow serves as an Associate Professor of dairy cattle genetics at The Pennsylvania State University's College of Agricultural Sciences, bringing practical farming experience from his upbringing on a New York State dairy farm that milked Holsteins and Brown Swiss cattle. His academic journey includes degrees from Morrisville State (A.A.S.), Cornell University (B.S.), Penn State (M.S.), and a Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee. His research focuses on developing genetic selection strategies that balance productive efficiency with cow health and fertility, including innovative work on novel traits such as feed utilization, telomere assessment, DNA methylation, and fatty acid profiles. His work has made significant contributions to improving dairy cattle genetics, particularly in regenerating lost male genetic lineages of Holstein cattle. As an educator, he teaches courses in animal genetics, dairy cattle selection, dairy herd management, and dairy management software while serving as co-advisor to Penn State's Dairy Science Club and coach of Pennsylvania's 4-H Dairy Judging team. His commitment to sustainable dairy farming is evident in his research aimed at developing cattle with higher innate disease resistance, benefiting both organic and conventional farmers.

Dr. Matthew Ferrari serves as Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics and Professor of Biology at The Pennsylvania State University, where he specializes in mathematical modeling of infectious disease transmission. His research focuses on understanding and predicting disease outbreaks through sophisticated statistical and computational methods. He is particularly known for his work on measles dynamics in developing countries, where he collaborates with Médecins Sans Frontières to study epidemic patterns and improve vaccination strategies in West African nations. His expertise spans multiple areas including disease transmission modeling, statistical methods for epidemiology, and the analysis of host-pathogen networks. As lead instructor for the Coursera course "Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases," he teaches students worldwide about disease transmission, vaccination impacts, and epidemic modeling. His research employs advanced computational methods such as Markov chain Monte Carlo to account for uncertainties in disease surveillance data, while developing practical solutions for public health challenges. His work has been particularly influential during the COVID-19 pandemic, where his expertise in epidemic modeling has contributed to public health response strategies.

Dr. Kathryn W. Jablokow serves as Professor of Engineering Design and Mechanical Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University, where she has established herself as a leading authority in engineering creativity and problem-solving methodologies. Her academic credentials include BS, MS, and PhD degrees in Electrical Engineering from The Ohio State University, and her contributions to the field earned her recognition as a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) in 2008. Her teaching excellence has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the prestigious Keck Foundation's national Engineering Excellence in Teaching Award. As a program director for engineering research initiation at the National Science Foundation's Division of Civil, Mechanical & Manufacturing Innovation, she continues to influence engineering education at a national level. Dr. Jablokow has developed and teaches four innovative courses focusing on individual creativity, problem-solving teams, leadership, and creative design, both online and in traditional classroom settings. Her research focuses on the cognitive psychology of engineering creativity, and she is particularly passionate about helping students discover and develop their unique creative potential by understanding their individual cognitive styles, knowledge bases, and motivational drivers.

Dr. Jack V. Matson serves as Emeritus Professor of Environmental Engineering at Penn State University, where he has revolutionized engineering education through his "Intelligent Fast Failure" approach to innovation and creativity. His distinguished career combines expertise in environmental engineering with groundbreaking teaching methodologies that encourage risk-taking and creative problem-solving. With BS and MS degrees in Chemical Engineering and a PhD in Environmental Engineering from Rice University, he has established himself as an expert in waste management, industrial water treatment, and hazardous waste management. As the former Director of the Leonhard Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Education, he developed innovative courses that challenged traditional risk-averse approaches to learning. His entrepreneurial spirit is evident in his founding of three companies: Matson and Associates Inc., Envinity Inc., and Bhutopia LLC. He has authored several influential books on innovation, including "Innovate or Die!" and "Art of Innovation using Intelligent Fast Failure." His teaching philosophy, which emphasizes the essential role of failure in the innovation process, has inspired countless students and professionals to embrace risk-taking as a pathway to innovation. Through his courses and writings, he continues to influence the field of engineering education and innovation methodology.

Dr. Andrew Read serves as Evan Pugh Professor of Biology and Entomology, Eberly Professor in Biotechnology, and Director of Penn State's Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics. His groundbreaking research focuses on understanding how pathogens evolve in response to medical and agricultural interventions. After receiving his PhD from the University of Oxford and early training at the University of Otago, New Zealand, he has earned numerous prestigious honors including fellowships in the Royal Society (FRS), the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Academy of Microbiology. His research explores critical questions in evolutionary biology and infectious disease, including pathogen virulence evolution, host-parasite interactions, and the development of evolution-proof medical interventions. His work spans multiple areas, from studying malaria parasites and vaccine resistance in poultry to investigating antibiotic resistance in hospitals. As lead instructor for the Coursera course "Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases," he shares his expertise in pathogen evolution and disease dynamics with a global audience. His innovative research has revealed crucial insights into how medical interventions affect pathogen evolution, contributing to the development of more effective disease control strategies and challenging conventional approaches to vaccine and drug development

Dr. Marcel Salathé is currently a Professor at EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) and a leading expert in digital epidemiology, following his tenure as Assistant Professor of Biology at Penn State's Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics. After earning his PhD from ETH Zürich and completing postdoctoral research at Stanford University studying human contact networks and disease spread, he has pioneered the use of digital technologies in epidemiology. His research combines complex systems models, wireless sensor networks, and large-scale social media data to understand disease spread and health behaviors in networked systems. As a Branco Weiss Society in Science fellow, he has developed innovative platforms including PlantVillage and Crowdbreaks.com, demonstrating his commitment to practical applications of research. His work is guided by four key principles: the importance of human behavior in health outcomes, the internet's role as an unprecedented source of behavioral data, the challenge of managing and analyzing large datasets, and the growing significance of programming in scientific research. Through his course "Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases," he shares his expertise in digital epidemiology and health technology with a global audience, while his highly-cited research continues to shape our understanding of how diseases spread through social networks

Dr. Armend Tahirsylaj serves as an Associate Professor of Education at The Pennsylvania State University, bringing a rich international perspective shaped by his diverse educational and professional experiences across Kosovo, Canada, Austria, the United States, Sweden, and Norway. After earning his PhD in Educational Theory and Policy from Penn State in 2015, he has established himself as an expert in international comparative education and K-12 national education policies. His research focuses on educational theory and policy, with particular emphasis on the concept of Bildung (self-cultivation through education) and its role in human development. His international background informs his approach to understanding educational systems and policies across different cultural contexts. As an educator in Penn State's Creativity and Innovation through Technology (CIT) program, he engages with a global community of learners, fostering creative thinking and innovative approaches to education. His work contributes to understanding how different educational systems approach creativity, innovation, and human development through formal education.

Dr. Darrell Velegol serves as Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University, combining cutting-edge research with transformative teaching approaches. After earning his PhD in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon in 1997, he has established himself as a leading expert in colloid science, publishing more than 70 papers focusing on interparticle forces, colloidal assembly, electrokinetic phenomena, and colloidal motors. His innovative approach to education is exemplified through his development of the "Physics of Community" concept, which applies principles from Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Ecology to understand human decision-making patterns. He has authored "Wild Scholars" (2011), presenting his transformative educational philosophy, and shares his CENTER practices with thousands of students globally through his popular Coursera course "Creativity, Innovation, and Change." His teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of passion in learning, believing that students pursuing their interests have unlimited potential for achievement. Through his work, he continues to bridge the gap between technical expertise and human development, inspiring students to reach their full potential while advancing the field of chemical engineering

Dr. Gabriella A. Varga served as University Distinguished Professor of Animal Science at Penn State University from 1985 until her retirement in 2013, establishing herself as a leading expert in dairy cattle nutrition and management. Her academic journey began with a BS in Biology from Duquesne University, followed by an MS in Animal Science from the University of Rhode Island and a PhD from the University of Maryland. Her research focused on developing management strategies for dairy cows during critical transition periods, particularly studying late gestation and early postpartum phases to minimize metabolic disorders and enhance farm profitability. Throughout her career, she made significant contributions to understanding nitrogen balance, ammonia emissions from manure, and feeding efficiency in dairy cattle. Her excellence in both research and teaching was recognized through numerous awards, including the American Feed Industry Award from the American Dairy Science Association and the College of Agricultural Science Nesbitt Award. Even after retirement, she continues to contribute to the field by coaching the PSU Dairy Challenge team and participating in dairy profit teams throughout Pennsylvania, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to both education and the dairy industry

Dr. Greg Roth has served as Professor in the Department of Plant Science at Penn State since 1989, where he has established himself as a leading expert in grain crop management and sustainable agriculture practices. His research focuses on developing innovative management strategies for corn, soybeans, wheat, barley, and sorghum production, with particular emphasis on corn silage production for dairy operations. He earned his Ph.D. in Agronomy from Penn State, following degrees from Virginia Tech (M.S.) and Penn State (B.S.). As leader of the Penn State Field and Forage Crop Extension Team, he has made significant contributions through the Corn Hybrid Evaluation Program and his work with the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania. His innovative work includes the development of the Penn State Cover Crop Interseeder, a technological advancement that facilitates cover crop integration in corn production to enhance soil health and reduce environmental impact. Through his extension work, which comprises 75% of his appointment, he regularly engages with crop and dairy producers through conferences and publications, ensuring his research directly benefits agricultural practitioners.

Dr. James W. Dunn has served as Professor of Agricultural Economics at Penn State University since 1977, establishing himself as a leading expert in agricultural marketing, policy, and food industry economics. After earning his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Oklahoma State University, following earlier degrees from South Dakota State University, he has built an impressive career combining teaching, research, and extension work. His expertise spans agricultural markets, dairy markets, and price risk management, regularly sharing insights through his monthly Dairy Outlook and various news articles. His international experience includes work in Ireland, Mexico, Australia, Namibia, and 13 newly independent states in Eastern and Central Europe. His contributions to agricultural policy include serving as a Congressional Fellow in 1995, working on the Farm Bill in Senator Rick Santorum's office. His excellence in teaching and international work has been recognized through multiple awards, including the W. LaMarr Kopp International Achievement Award (2008), the Community of Teaching Excellence Award (2011), and the Gamma Sigma Delta Teaching Award (2012). As undergraduate coordinator for the Agribusiness Management Program and former director of the Penn State Cooperative Business Education and Research Program (1999-2002), he continues to shape the next generation of agricultural economists

Dr. Kathy Soder serves as a Research Animal Scientist with the USDA-Agricultural Research Service at the Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Unit in University Park, PA, while holding adjunct faculty appointments at both Penn State University and the University of New Hampshire. Her academic credentials include a PhD in Animal Science (Dairy Nutrition) from Penn State University, an MS in Animal Science (Range Sheep Nutrition) from Montana State University, and a BS in Animal Science/Business Option from Penn State University. Her groundbreaking research focuses on the forage-animal interface in grazing-based dairy and livestock systems, with particular emphasis on supplemental feeds and forages. She pioneered research on pasture intake measurements for mid-pregnancy sheep and late-pregnancy dairy cows, while conducting extensive studies on feed additives and supplements for grazing dairy cows. Through her interdisciplinary research, she evaluates how forage mixtures and alternative forages affect animal productivity, pasture intake, ruminal fermentation, grazing behavior, and methane output. As an instructor for the Coursera course "Dairy Production and Management," she shares her expertise in sustainable grazing systems and animal nutrition with a global audience

Dr. Lisa A. Holden serves as Associate Professor of Dairy Science at The Pennsylvania State University, where she has established herself as a leading expert in dairy management and farm profitability. Her role encompasses teaching, research, and extension responsibilities, focusing on whole farm management and optimal profitability decision-making. As a key faculty member, she coaches the Dairy Challenge students and leads several senior-level courses in the dairy curriculum while advising students in Penn State's Animal Science major. Her research emphasizes practical tools for dairy producers, including income over feed cost and production cost calculators. With nearly 20 years of experience working with dairy advisory teams, her expertise extends internationally, having conducted dairy training in the Azores, Portugal, China, and Ethiopia, while also collaborating with professionals from Australia, Denmark, and the Netherlands. She serves as part of the Penn State Dairy Extension team, specializing in business management, human resource management, and farm safety, while also contributing to the US Dairy Education and Training Consortium. Through her integrated approach to teaching, research, and extension work, she continues to enhance overall farm productivity and profitability while preparing the next generation of dairy industry professionals.