N.C. PSI News

Jun 5, 2026

Harvesting Data for Agriculture

New tech for better drone-based data collection and analysis is helping turn agricultural research stations into farms of the future, and an N.C. PSI team is intent on delivering even more solutions to help farmers put data to work. 

Jun 2, 2026

Mystery Beetle Unmasked

NC State researchers have identified a wood-boring beetle that could threaten the state's blueberry industry. With no insecticides labeled for use against this pest in blueberries, Lorena Lopez, an entomologist and N.C. PSI affiliate, has started trials to come up with solutions. 

Jun 1, 2026

‘Evolution, Not Revolution’

Executive Director Adrian Percy describes what’s next for the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative under a new strategic plan. 

May 27, 2026

Breeding Possibilities for Better Crops

From a young age, Caitlin Kestell learned to work hard, help other people and never quit. Now a crop science graduate student and N.C. PSI award-winner, she's putting a can-do attitude to work in research to benefit farmers and outreach efforts that inspire students. 

May 26, 2026

Conference Explores Intersection of Biology and Engineering

With N.C. PSI faculty playing key roles, the recent Green-G Conference brought together experts in disciplines ranging from electrical engineering to ecology to explore how cutting-edge biosensing, data science, imaging, signal processing and other technology can allow us to better observe natural processes and come up with practical concepts for telecommunications and data management. 

May 14, 2026

From Unexpected Beginnings to the Future of Digital Ag

N.C. PSI faculty affiliate Jing Zhang breaks new ground using high-tech tools to gather and analyze data better and faster for improved plant breeding and crop production. 

May 13, 2026

Three from N.C. PSI Honored for Excellence

N.C. PSI staff members score awards for their work on behalf of team agriculture, with Sarah Dinger and Jie Pacelli honored by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Lauren Maynard by NC State Research and Innovation. 

May 12, 2026

Study Reveals How Strawberries Were Ambushed By Fungal Parasites

Research on the genetics and movement of the fungal pathogen that causes powdery mildew could aid a broader understanding of how plant diseases emerge in new places. N.C. PSI faculty affiliate Michael Bradshaw is corresponding author of a PNAS paper on the research. 

May 12, 2026

Ripe for the Picking

N.C. PSI affiliate Jing Zhang works with Extension agents to develop an AI-powered smartphone app to give blueberry growers a more precise way to decide when to harvest. 

May 12, 2026

Pacelli Honored for Efforts To Ensure Wise Resource Use for World-Class Research

For helping ensure wise stewardship in the NC State's Plant Sciences Building, Jie Pacelli earned the 2026 CALS Value Award. She is the N.C. PSI's research operations manager.