Current Research by Department

Soil scientist Yan Jin awarded University’s highest faculty honor: youtube.com/watch?v=Rh__5gorAvo

Research News
  • Advancing knowledge on wooden breast syndrome

    May 08, 2024 | Written by Katie Peikes | Photo by Michele Walfred
    University of Delaware researchers in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources have made a new discovery in their work on wooden breast syndrome in chickens. The UD team found white blood cells filled with fat surrounding broiler chickens’ veins and showing signs of swelling are key contributing factors to this muscle degeneration disease in these birds that can ultimately affect their meat quality.
  • Faculty members elected American Association for the Advancement of Science fellows

    April 29, 2024 | Written by Tracey Bryant
    Two University of Delaware professors, Rodrigo Vargas and Deborah Allen, have been elected fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) — one of the largest scientific societies in the world and publisher of the Science family of journals. The 2023 class includes 502 scientists, engineers and innovators across 24 disciplines, who are being honored for their scientifically and socially distinguished achievements.
  • Decoding rice roots

    April 26, 2024 | Written by Nya Wynn
    Frank Linam, a plant and soil sciences doctoral student at the University of Delaware, is studying how the wet soil conditions in flooded rice paddies affect the way the roots take in nutrients and filter out toxins. Linam found that the plaque successfully holds onto the arsenic in various environments and soil types so that it doesn’t make it into the roots.
  • Kali Kniel leads the charge in safe food practices globally

    April 18, 2024 | Written by Nya Wynn
    University of Delaware faculty member Kali Kniel traveled to Geneva, Switzerland to participate in an expert committee meeting on viruses and food safety with other experts. Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) committees are convened to review the state of science on particular topics and in turn provide information that is useful to global guidance, in this case to improve the control of viruses in food. The group ranked the most prevalent viruses transmitted through food and recommended how countries across the world could help combat outbreaks.

Inspiring discovery

With cutting-edge innovation, our faculty and students transform exploration into impact. We apply classroom and laboratory knowledge to tackle real-world challenges. And we're leading the way in cross-disciplinary unique strengths to create more sustainable and equitable ecosystems.

From understanding migratory wildlife patterns or predicting consumer behaviors, to identifying pest resistant plant genetics and pioneering new techniques in veterinary medicine, our research helps define the world around us. Explore our areas of expertise and discover the exciting advances we're making today.

Animal and Food Sciences

Improving performance and health of animals and the safety and quality of food

Applied Economics and Statistics

Agribusiness management, food marketing, the economics of environmental and resource management, and statistics

Entomology and Wildlife Ecology

UD research investigates migratory birds’ habitat concerns on coffee farms

Plant and Soil Sciences

Plant biology, agronomy, horticulture, landscape architecture and environmental soil sciences

Cooperative Extension

Brining knowledge to the people of Delaware