Kovac Lab
Our research at Penn State is focused on precision food safety.
We are integrating (meta)genomic and phenotypic methods to better understand how microbial genetic background and environmental factors influence epidemiology, pathogenic potential and antimicrobial resistance of foodborne pathogens.
News
June 22, 2025
A Heartfelt Farewell Lunch with the LMU Team
Jasna is wrapping up a six-month sabbatical in Claudia Guldimann's lab at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich. It was a refreshing and inspiring time filled with growth, new ideas, and exciting collaborations that are sure to continue well into the future.
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June 21, 2025
Jasna Recognized at the ASM's Awardees and Academy Fellows Reception
Jasna was honored with the 2025 Early Career Research in Environmental Microbiology Award at the American Society for Microbiology's Awardees and Academy Fellows Reception during ASM Microbe.
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June 18, 2025
Auja Represented Penn State at the FAO Global Agrifood Biotechnologies Conference
Auja Bywater's work "Farming Forward: Partnering with Bacteria to Strengthen Soilless Farming Worldwide" was selected for the FAO Biotech Innovation Challenge presentation at the AO Global Agrifood Biotechnologies Conference. Congratulations!
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June 16, 2025
Auja Selected for the NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium Graduate Fellowship
Auja Bywater was awarded the NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium (PSGC) Graduate Fellowship for the 2025-2026 academic year. Congratulations!
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