UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and AgroParisTech in France have reaffirmed their long-standing partnership with the virtual signing of a new agreement, expanding opportunities for student research and global engagement in agricultural innovation.
The agreement, signed by Dean Troy Ott of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Dean Laurent Buisson of AgroParisTech — a public institution operating under the authority of the French Ministry of Agriculture — formalizes the college’s participation in a new, seven-week summer internship program.
This internship program offers undergraduate and graduate students from both universities the opportunity to engage in immersive research experiences under the guidance of faculty mentors, noted Ketja Lingenfelter, Ag Sciences Global assistant director for student global engagement.
“This program introduces our students to current issues in agriculture with France and the European Union, while also providing the opportunity for them to work in-depth with faculty mentors for five weeks on specific research topics as part of their internship experience,” she said.
Three College of Agricultural Sciences students — Maya Jaber, Hannah Burke and Olivia Byers — participated in the inaugural cohort, conducting research projects in France.
Jaber, a student majoring in agribusiness management with a minor in entrepreneurship and innovation, spent time in France researching food labeling systems. Her focus was on the European Nutri-Score — a front-of-pack nutrition label that uses a color-coded scale to help consumers make healthier food choices. She explored how this system could be adapted for the U.S. market.
During her internship, Jaber attended seminars on global agriculture and authored an article proposing a new front-of-package label, inspired by Nutri-Score, tailored to American consumers.
“This experience has introduced me to new food labeling systems and debates regarding these food labels that differ from what is used in the U.S.,” said the rising junior from Shaker Heights, Ohio. “Academically, I’m gaining practical knowledge that complements my coursework, and I’m developing adaptability, cross-cultural communication skills and confidence by immersing myself in a different environment.”
Jaber said that after graduation, she aspires to work for a food company and also open her own business, focused on olive oil.
“Experiences like this are equipping me with global perspectives, practical skills and a professional network that will help me contribute to solutions for complex agricultural challenges,” she said. “The opportunity to collaborate with experts and students from AgroParisTech enables me to broaden my global perspective and gain a deeper understanding of sustainable solutions in agriculture.”
Byers, an agricultural and biorenewable systems management major from Harrisburg, spent her internship studying food and bioproduct engineering, while Burke, a community, environment, and development major from Orwigsburg, worked on a project involving urban agriculture/rooftop gardens, for which she received the Best Presentation Award at the final presentation ceremony.
Additionally, the college hosted AgroParisTech student Lucie Comparat, who studied animal behavior under the guidance of Melissa Cantor, assistant professor of precision dairy science in the Department of Animal Science.
The Penn State–AgroParisTech partnership started in 2007, with an initial focus on entomology and plant protection. Over the years, the collaboration has evolved to include annual embedded programs that explore U.S.–EU agricultural trade issues, supported by funding from both the French and U.S. governments.
In 2023, the institutions renewed their memorandum of understanding, broadening the scope to encompass professional training, faculty and student exchanges, joint research initiatives, and collaborative academic events.
Last year, Deanna Behring, assistant dean and director of Ag Sciences Global, visited AgroParisTech to strengthen ties. Earlier this spring, a French delegation, including Dean Buisson, visited Penn State to discuss collaborative opportunities in food science, microbiome research and sustainable agricultural systems.
“Through our internship program with AgroParisTech, students from both institutions engage in hands-on research settings across France and the U.S.,” Behring said. “This invaluable experience builds professional expertise, deepens intercultural collaboration and empowers students on both sides to become globally minded leaders in sustainable agriculture.”