Research and Innovation

Feed the world. Protect the planet.

Extraordinary challenges require extraordinary solutions. For 150 years, the daring innovations of our graduates have shaped the world we know today. Now, we carry on that daring spirit, using cutting-edge technology and scientific advances to envision a better tomorrow.

Focused on identifying and addressing future challenges, students and faculty of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources are mastering research in five areas of unique strength:

  • Climate change impacts, mitigation and adaptation;
  • Human dimensions of food, agriculture and natural resources;
  • Sustainable food systems, landscapes and ecosystems;
  • Genetics and genomics for plant, animal and ecosystem improvement; and
  • One Health intersections among animal, plant, human and ecosystem health.

Explore the exciting research we’re leading and the entrepreneurial ecosystem we’re building.

Robot captures imaging of root systems at UD Farm: youtube.com/watch?v=HKqOdS-i4BI

UD Research Initiatives

In an age of technology and innovation, the future has never looked more exciting.

Learn more

Upcoming events

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

Research News
  • Soil science scholar

    August 24, 2023 | Written by Kate Zincone
    Originally from Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, Samuel Oluwapamilerin Bamidele came to the University of Delaware to study plant and soil sciences. He recently earned membership into the prestigious Encompass Fellows Program.
  • Agricultural policy making

    August 21, 2023 | Written by Katie Peikes
    UD’s Kent Messer and Leah Palm-Forster are co-authors on a paper that analyzed six research projects to argue that involving stakeholders in the process of creating economic experiments can lead to more acceptance of studies’ results.
  • In The War Against The Spotted Lanternfly, Two Tiny Wasps Could be The Secret Weapon

    August 10, 2023 | Written by Nala Rogers of Popular Mechanics
    Popular Mechanics spotlights the work of Tyler Hagerty, UD graduate student who is working on spotted lanternfly biocontrol. The article features an interview with Hagerty and an inside look at the lab he's working in at UD.
  • UD-developed beneficial bacteria UD1022 promising for disarming fungal pathogens that affect turfgrass

    August 01, 2023 | Written by Karen B. Roberts
    University of Delaware researchers and collaborators are studying the beneficial properties of UD1022, a UD-patented beneficial bacteria, against fungal pathogens that affect turfgrass, such as creeping bent grass, found on golf courses and other professional managed fields.

Faculty expert spotlights

Amy Biddle
Townsend Hall
302-831-2642

Professor Biddle investigates the equine microbiome, which is the root of maintaining equine health and longevity.
Rodrigo Vargas
Townsend Hall
302-831-1386

Professor Vargas studies soil-plant-atmosphere interactions to understand the response of terrestrial ecosystems to management, extreme events, and global change

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