UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- C. Peter Romaine, professor of plant pathology in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, has been named the first holder of the John B. Swayne Chair in Spawn Science.

Made possible by an endowment from the late John B. Swayne Jr., a 1934 Penn State alumnus in agricultural economics, the chair is aimed at enhancing programs in mushroom science by providing support to a faculty member for the advancement of scholarly excellence through instruction, research and public service.

Romaine's research focuses on transgenic breeding of cultivated mushrooms for germplasm enhancement and for the production of human biopharmaceuticals; the diagnosis and control of mushroom diseases; and innovations in mushroom cultivation. His work -- which has resulted in five patents for technologies related to mushroom cultivation -- has contributed to the success of Pennsylvania's commercial mushroom industry, which leads the nation by producing nearly 60 percent of all Agaricus bisporus (common white button and brown portabella) mushrooms sold in the United States.

Romaine has been principal investigator or co-principal investigator on about 45 research grants and contracts totaling more than $3.1 million. He has authored or co-authored more than 80 refereed journal articles, more than 40 nonrefereed journal articles and 60 abstracts. He has lectured extensively on mushroom science and technology, both nationally and internationally. He also is editor-in-chief of the industry publication, Mushroom News.

"Pete Romaine's work has resulted in advances that have helped Pennsylvania's mushroom industry retain its national leadership position," says Robert Steele, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences. "The Swayne family's generous support of Dr. Romaine's research and extension efforts will help us sustain and enhance our programs, while building on the family's legacy as mushroom pioneers."

John Swayne Jr. created the endowment in memory of his father, who in the 1880s in Kennett Square, Pa., became the first commercial mushroom grower in America. After his graduation from Penn State, John Swayne Jr. engineered a decades-long expansion of the family mushroom business, turning its product, Quaker State Brands, into one of the most popular brands nationwide. The company also became one of the country's largest producers of mushroom spawn.

In 1972, Swayne sold the entire operation to the Clorox Company. Eight years later, Clorox sold the mushroom houses and canning plant to Pia and Sons and sold the spawn plant to John Swayne III, a 1961 Penn State alumnus, who ran the business until selling it upon his retirement in 2001.

Income from the Swayne endowment will help cover research, training and travel expenses and support research staff and graduate-student assistantships.

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EDITORS: C. Peter Romaine can be reached at (814) 865-7132 or by e-mail at cpr2@psu.edu.

Chuck Gill (814) 863-2713 cdg5@psu.edu