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Meet the Superhero Farm Robots in Training

Staff

Adult beetle with long antennae.

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. 
Caitlin Kestell standing beside a scientific poster

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. 
Students gather in a poster-filled hallway to to discuss research

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. 
Fungi viewed under a microscope

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. 
Researcher holds a smartphone as she stands near blueberry bushes

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. 
Andrea Gibbs near a wet area of a field, near a sensor

Apr 14, 2026

SAS, NC State and ECU Deploying Sensors and IoT Analytics to Help Farmers

N.C. Cooperative Extension agent Andrea Gibbs, the N.C. Ag Analytics Platform and others at NC State are part of effort to create affordable, field-ready sensor systems that give growers timely, data-driven insights. Check out the SAS news release. 
Tomato plants in the foreground, with a person tending them in the background

Mar 24, 2026

Fast-Tracking Agricultural Tech With North Carolina Growers

With help from the N.C. PSI, Seed2Grow startup company Verdia Diagnostics is testing its novel disease-detecting sensors with local growers. 
Group of seven smiling professionals

Mar 23, 2026

Accelerating Ag Innovation Through Global Networking

N.C. PSI Plant Improvement Platform Director Ross Sozzani continues her longtime work to share critical plant sciences resources and expertise across borders. Her recent collaboration and networking in Japan also opened a new chapter in a 40-year partnership between Nagoya University and NC State. 
Two people tending an array of colorful plants in a greenhouse

Mar 11, 2026

Not Your Average Greenhouse

From the outside, the steel-and-glass structure on top of NC State’s Plant Sciences Building looks like an ordinary greenhouse, but inside the computer-controlled facility, researchers work year-round to tackle big agricultural challenges. 
Three people watch a robotic prototype with a mechanical arm grasp a tomato

Jan 22, 2026

Meet the Superhero Farm Robots in Training

NC State students and researchers are creating robotic field hands that could help grow and harvest your next salad.