Research and Innovation

UD Professor Jung-Youn Lee (right) and postdoctoral researcher Gabriel Robles Luna discuss lateral root structures. Lee’s research team continues to study the role of plasmodesmal proteins in plant communication.

Putting down roots

Groundbreaking research identifies cellular communication loop in root emergence

Rodrigo Vargas conducting research in the forest and marsh of the St. Jones Reserve in Dover, DE.

Vargas highly cited

Rodrigo Vargas has been named one of the most influential scientists in the world

Robots assisting on the farm in the corn fields

Driven to discover

Robots on the farm

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.

UD Research Initiatives

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

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Upcoming events

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

Latest CANR Research News

Virtual research

November 02, 2020 | Written by Dante LaPenta

For the first time, the best and brightest students and post-docs presented their work to a live Zoom audience at the 2020 edition of the CANR Research Symposium.
UD's CEWER takes on analyzing wastewater to track COVID-19

February 05, 2021 | Written by Sophia Schmidt of Delaware Public Media

UD's CEWER researchers concentrate and analyze wastewater for genetic material from the COVID-19 virus for New Castle County.
Forecasting coronavirus outbreaks

January 15, 2021 | Written by Dante LaPenta

Our current public health pandemic requires scientists to track and prevent the spread of coronavirus, University of Delaware researchers are looking for the presence of the virus in wastewater.

Faculty expert spotlights

Angelia Seyfferth

Townsend Hall

302-831-4865

angelias@udel.edu

Seyfferth focuses on understanding the soil biogeochemical processes that dictate contaminant and nutrient cycling and uptake by plants.

Ryan Arsenault

Townsend Hall

302-831-7579

rja@udel.edu

Arsenault investigates animal biology from a kinome perspective, gut health and immunometabolism and disease pathogenesis.

Our campus

Charles C. Allen Jr. Biotechnology Laboratory

The lab is a world-class facility dedicated to poultry disease research and diagnostics. The lab is a biosafety level BSL-3, USDA-licensed laboratory, used to study highly virulent poultry pathogens in a safe working environment.

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Ecology Woods

This tract of 35 acres is an active research site for students to study the effects of habitat fragmentation on wildlife and ecosystem services provided by small, urban forests. The site is home to the longest continuous study on the population health of Wood Thrush.

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UD Dairy Farm

The farm provides hands-on learning and research opportunities for students, allowing them real-world experience on a working dairy farm. Our ~100 cows produce 800 gallons of milk per day!

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Fischer Greenhouse

The complex consists of a suite of growth chambers and glass house facilities. In addition to diverse faculty research and plant production, students can learn horticulture, as well as professional plant production within the greenhouse environment.

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Worrilow Hall

Currently undergoing a complete renovation, this state-of-the-art facility includes laboratories conducting cutting-edge research in the areas of animal, plant and food sciences.

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Townsend Hall

As homebase for the College, Townsend houses four departments - Animal and Food Sciences, Plant and Soil Sciences, Applied Economics and Statistics, and Entomology and Wildlife Ecology. In addition, UD Cooperative Extension connects UD research with industry professionals and community members.
University of Delaware Botanic Gardens

As a research center, a laboratory, and a classroom, the gardens contribute to an understanding of the changing relationships between plants and people through education, extension, research, and community support.

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Master Gardener Demonstration Gardens

Master Gardeners maintain demonstration gardens at three locations across the state of Delaware. The gardens showcase examples of what Delaware home owners can do in their own yards.

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Poultry Research and Teaching Unit in Newark

This area provides facilities for characterization of new diseases, vaccine development, the testing of "pre" and "pro" biotics and nutraceuticals to reduce the use of antibiotics, to improve gut health, improve production and sustainability.

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