By Blake Jackson
Joe Louis has been appointed head of the Department of Plant Science in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, with his new role beginning on October 7, 2026.
Louis joins Penn State from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he served as the Eberhard Professor of Agricultural Entomology and held appointments in both the Departments of Entomology and Biochemistry. He also served as associate department head and directed the department’s stress biology initiative.
Louis is widely recognized for his research on plant stress biology and plant-insect interactions. His work focuses on understanding how insect feeding influences plant physiology and defense mechanisms, as well as how insects affect plant responses to environmental stress.
Throughout his career, Louis has secured funding from organizations including the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of Energy, and other public and private partners.
“Dr. Louis brings an exceptional record of scientific achievement, collaborative leadership and student mentorship to this important role,” Troy Ott, Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences said.
“His expertise in plant science and entomology, combined with his commitment to interdisciplinary research and student success, will help advance the department’s impact and position it for continued excellence in research, teaching and extension,” Ott added.
Louis has earned numerous honors, including the NSF CAREER Award, the Eric E. Conn Young Investigator Award, and the Plant-Insect Ecosystems Recognition Award in Entomology.
Louis has also mentored graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and undergraduate students, many of whom have gone on to successful scientific careers.
Beyond research, Louis has led educational outreach efforts, creating research opportunities for teachers and students while promoting agricultural science education. He has also worked with extension specialists to help farmers better understand pest management strategies.
Louis is no stranger to Penn State, having completed a postdoctoral appointment there from 2011 to 2013. He earned degrees from Kerala Agricultural University, Kansas State University, and the University of North Texas.
“It is a tremendous honor and an exciting opportunity to return to Penn State and to join and lead the Department of Plant Science at one of the nation’s premier land-grant research universities. The department is a leader in both fundamental and applied research that advances sustainable agriculture, food security, and environmental stewardship," Louis said.
"I look forward to fostering new collaborative opportunities, supporting innovative research and education, and helping train the next generation of plant scientists while advancing Penn State’s land-grant mission. I am grateful to the college’s leadership for the opportunity to serve in this role, and I look forward to working alongside the outstanding faculty, staff, and students of the department,” Louis added.
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Categories: Pennsylvania, Education