2025 Faculty Newsmakers

Professor in Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service

Dabelko provided expert analysis on the geopolitical significance of Greenland amid renewed U.S. interest in acquiring the territory. Dabelko, an environmental security specialist, explained that Greenland's strategic location and abundant natural resources, such as rare earth minerals and fossil fuels, have become increasingly valuable as climate change opens new Arctic shipping routes. He also noted that these factors have intensified competition among global powers. 

News Stories

• EuroNews - "Why does Trump want Greenland? Resource-rich country has a key place due to climate change"
• OHIO Today - "‘Not a new, empty playground,’ Why Greenland has been thrust into the spotlight and why the U.S. may want to think twice"

View Geoff Dabelko's Full Expert Profile

Associate Professor of Anthropology in the College of Arts and Sciences

Curran garnered significant media attention for her groundbreaking discovery in paleoanthropology. Leading an international team, Curran uncovered cut-marked bones at the Grăunceanu site in Romania, dating back approximately 1.95 million years. This finding, published in Nature Communications, suggests that early hominins were present in Europe much earlier than previously believed, predating the well-known Dmanisi site in Georgia by about 200,000 years. The discovery has been widely reported, highlighting its implications for understanding human evolution and the spread of early human ancestors across Eurasia.

News Stories

• OHIO Today - "Research team led by OHIO’s Sabrina Curran finds new evidence that pushes back the arrival of early hominins in Europe; discovery published in Nature Communications"
• Nature - "Hominin presence in Eurasia by at least 1.95 million years ago"

View Sabrina Curran's Full Expert Profile

Professor of Neuroscience and Anatomy in the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

O’Connor was prominently featured in media coverage of the discovery of the earliest known modern bird, Vegavis iaai.This 69-million-year-old fossil, unearthed on Vega Island in Antarctica, provides significant insights into avian evolution during the Cretaceous period. Dr. O'Connor's expertise was highlighted in various outlets, including Reuters and The Sun, where he emphasized Antarctica's pivotal role in the early stages of modern bird development. He noted that, unlike other regions where birds of that era exhibited primitive features like teeth and long bony tails, the Antarctic fossils suggest a distinct evolutionary path leading to today's waterfowl. His contributions underscore the importance of this discovery in understanding the resilience and diversification of avian species following the mass extinction event that ended the age of dinosaurs.

News Stories

• Newsweek - "Earliest Bird Discovery May Settle Long-Running Mystery"
• Smithsonian Magazine - "Paleontologists Discover Fossil of the Oldest Known Modern Bird—but It Raises More Questions Than It Answers"
• Earth Sky - "Bird fossil hints Antarctica was a refuge from killer asteroid"

View Patrick O'Connor's Full Expert Profile

Associate Professor of Economics in the College of Arts and Sciences

Karney was featured in various media outlets discussing the implications of tariffs on the U.S. economy, emphasizing that tariffs function as a form of taxation, ultimately raising prices for American consumers rather than penalizing foreign producers. Karney also critiqued the notion of protective tariffs, arguing that such policies often fail to deliver the intended economic benefits and can disrupt the principle of comparative advantage that underpins free trade. 

News Stories

• Spectrum News One - "How are data centers impacting Ohio's energy infrastructure?"
• The Dundalk Eagle - "Egg prices hit record high, expected to go higher"
• The Enquirier Gazette - "Egg prices hit record high, expected to go higher"

View Dan Karney's Full Expert Profile

Director of Rural and Urban Scholars Pathways Program, and Assistant Professor of Primary Care in the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Casapulla was featured in the Columbus Dispatch discussing the critical issue of healthcare deserts in rural Ohio, emphasizing the profound impact on communities where access to medical services is severely limited or nonexistent. Casapulla highlighted that many rural areas lack essential healthcare infrastructure, such as hospitals and primary care providers, forcing residents to travel long distances for basic medical needs. 

News Stories

• The Columbus Dispatch - "There are no doctors here: Rural Ohioans face deadly shortage of health care options"
• The Canton Repository - "There are no doctors here: Rural Ohioans face deadly shortage of health care options"
• The Newark Advocate - "There are no doctors here: Rural Ohioans face deadly shortage of health care options"
• The Mansfield News Journal - "There are no doctors here: Rural Ohioans face deadly shortage of health care options"

View Sharon Casapulla's Full Expert Profile

Associate Professor; Heritage Faculty Endowed Fellowship in Obesity and Diabetes, Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Ralph S. Licklider, D.O., Research Endowment in the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Lo was featured in local and regional media for her pioneering research on obesity treatment. Her study, published in the journal Obesity, identified Apolipoprotein A4 (APOA4) as a promising protein that could help prevent weight gain and improve metabolic health. Lo emphasized that APOA4's benefits extend beyond appetite control, potentially enhancing how the body processes and burns fat. The research demonstrated that supplementing APOA4 in obese mouse models reduced fat mass and improved liver health without altering food intake or physical activity.

News Stories

• The Scioto Post - "Ohio University Researchers Make Breakthrough in Obesity Treatment"
• OHIO Today - "Ohio University researchers make significant strides in new way to address obesity"

Associate Professor of Economics and M.A. Graduate Chair in the College of Arts and Sciences

Duncan was featured in local and national broadcast media for his expert analysis on the economic implications of the new tariffs. He provided insights into how these tariffs could lead to higher consumer prices and disrupt supply chains. Duncan also was quoted and commented on how the LA wildfires may impact the economy.

News Stories

• OHIO Today - "What killed the penny: OHIO economist shares his two cents on the retiring of the cent"
• OHIO Today - "The economics of a disaster: How the LA wildfires may impact the economy"
• Psychology Today - "Losing a Job Without Upending Your Stability"

View Roberto Duncan's Full Expert Profile

Director of Sustainability and Adjunct Professor in the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service

Crowl was featured in various news outlets including American Recycler on OHIO’s compost facility and the process in which composting works at the University, as well as being quoted on OHIO’s Ecohouse and how everyday homes can be more sustainable.

News Stories

• OHIO Today - "Transforming food waste into nutrient-rich soil: OHIO’s Compost Facility provides an educational model for comprehensive sustainability"
• OHIO Today - "Going Green: OHIO Ecohouse shows how everyday homes can make a global impact while providing student learning opportunities"
• American Recycler - "Ohio University composts nearly 100 percent of the school’s food waste"

Distinguished Professor of Environmental and Plant Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences

Wyatt was highlighted in numerous outlets for being among the featured panelists in a webinar spotlighting science investigations aboard SpaceX’s 32nd Commercial Resupply Services mission. She discussed a NASA-sponsored study examining how space radiation impacts plant biology—specifically telomere activity in the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana—as part of broader efforts to prepare organisms for long-duration missions.

News Stories

• Yahoo Finance - "Launch and Learn: Media Invited to Science Webinar on NASA's SpaceX CRS-32 Mission"

Assistant Professor in the Scripps College of Communication

Das was interviewed on multiple Columbus broadcasts on how online AI trends are raising privacy concerns, talking on deepfakes and how AI can be used to streamline workflows, enhance communication and make using the Internet safer, but how he’s also watched how criminals have used it for bad.

News Stories

• 10TV - "Online AI trends raises privacy concerns, experts warn"

View Rishabh Das's Full Expert Profile

Assistant Professor of English in the College of Arts and Sciences

Shovlin was quoted and highlighted in several media outlets including The New York Times and Breitbart weighing in on student backlash when AI is used for feedback, clarifying that he’s not a big fan of professors outsourcing critique and emphasizing that the true value instructors bring is human connection and thoughtful insights. The story notes he is an AI faculty fellow at Ohio University and reiterated the importance of teaching students to develop an ethical compass with AI, warning that mishandling the technology could have real-world career consequences.

News Stories

• OHIO Today - "AI content: Ethics, identification and regulation"
• OHIO Today - "Teaching with AI: How college professors are redefining the classroom"
• The New York Times - "The Professors Are Using ChatGPT, and Some Students Aren’t Happy About It"
• Breitbart - "College Students Are Outraged over Professors Using ChatGPT"

View Paul Shovlin's Full Expert Profile

Associate Professor of Medical Ethics in the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in Cleveland

Shapiro was quoted in Cosmopolitan’s article on medical gaslighting and what to do if a doctor is dismissing health concerns, explaining that being dismissed by doctors isn’t just frustrating—it can inflict “medical trauma,” causing patients to “question their own sanity” and suffer long-lasting psychological harm. Her insights help validate readers’ experiences and encourage advocacy when medical professionals overlook or trivialize patient symptoms.

News Stories

• The New York Times - "The Professors Are Using ChatGPT, and Some Students Aren’t Happy About It"
• OHIO Today - "Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine researcher tackles ethics of AI in health care"

Associate Professor and Director of the School of Media Arts and Studies in the Scripps College of Communication

Antonuccio was quoted in Medium in a story on how AI is changing the music industry, where he says the overwhelming volume of AI-generated songs can reduce the space for authentic music and new talent.

News Stories

• OHIO Today - "How AI is transforming the creative economy and music industry"
• Medium - "AI is Changing the Music Industry"

View Josh Antonuccio's Full Expert Profile

Associate Professor of Instruction in Biological Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences

Klein was featured on broadcasts, including Good Day Columbus, talking on his highly watched social media videos where he shares hands‑on anatomy demos using models, answers the general public’s questions about anatomy and their body and much more.

News Stories

• OHIO Today - "OHIO’s very own influencer…at least in the world of anatomy and physiology education"
• Fox28 - "From classroom to TikTok: Ohio University professor transforms anatomy teaching"

View Ian Klein's Full Expert Profile

Chair of Environmental and Plant Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences

DeForest was featured in The New York Times discussing the integration of AI in higher education, noting how he developed a custom tutoring bot named SoilSage, designed to answer students' questions based on his published research and scientific knowledge. By limiting the chatbot to trusted information sources, he ensures accuracy and reliability, stating, the curated chatbot allows me to control the information in there to get the product that I want at the college level.

News Stories

• The New York Times - "Welcome to Campus. Here’s Your ChatGPT."
• OHIO Today - "OHIO researchers study impact of exceptional drought on Southeast Ohio ecosystems"

Assistant Professor of Teacher Education and Middle Childhood Education Eastern Campus Program Coordinator at OHIO's Eastern campus

Yahn was quoted in Newsweek discussing a map that revealed where youths are most at risk, saying that people often focus on mobility outside of rural areas, but do not invest inside the rural areas themselves, making it difficult for young people to build up their lives in the area they're from.

News Stories

• Newsweek - "Map Reveals States Where Youth Are Most At Risk"

View Jacqueline Yahn's Full Expert Profile

Assistant Professor of Social Work in the College of Health Sciences and Professions

Park was featured in Spectrum News One and other outlets on a study he coauthored with other researchers from other Ohio universities that shows one in 10 workers in their 30s uses alcohol, marijuana or hard drugs while working.

News Stories

• The Independent - "One in ten people in their 30s are drinking or high at work"
• Spectrum News One - "New study shows young workers use substances during work"

Assistant Professor in the College of Health Sciences and Professions

Anderson was quoted in multiple articles addressing heightened concerns about concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) following a high-profile incident at NFL offices. Anderson, a neuroscientist known for her work on sports-related brain injuries, emphasized that the tragedy underscored the urgent need for more aggressive research, education, and reforms in contact sports. She also highlighted the psychological toll of repeated head trauma, warning that existing safety protocols remain insufficient.

News Stories

• OHIO Today - "Understanding CTE: The hidden cost of repeated head trauma in sports"
• Pinal Central - "Shooting at NFL headquarters returns scrutiny to concussion dangers"
• Cronkite News - "Recent shooting at NFL headquarters returns scrutiny to concussion dangers"

View Melissa Anderson's Full Expert Profile

Professor and Director of African Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences

Smucker was featured in Inside Climate News discussing the intensifying impact of extreme weather on Ohio’s agriculture. Drawing on his expertise in climate vulnerability and land use, Smucker highlighted how shifting rainfall patterns and temperature extremes are already disrupting crop yields and farming practices across the region.

News Stories

• Inside Climate News - "After a Drought Last Year, Ohio Farmers Wished for Rain. Now Downpours Are Destroying Their Crops"

Associate Professor and Director, Appalachian Institute to Advance Health Equity Science in the College of Health Sciences and Professions

Cronin was quoted in WOUB discussing how proposed Medicaid cuts could significantly strain Ohio’s rural healthcare systems. As a health policy expert, Cronin explained how Managed Care Organizations, which the state uses to help administer Medicaid, are being challenged by changes in funding rules, including new limits on state‐directed payments. He warned that these constraints may reduce reimbursement rates to hospitals, particularly in rural areas, making it harder for them to sustain staffing and maintain services.

News Stories

• WOUB - "How Medicaid cuts could impact Ohio’s rural healthcare systems"

View Cory Cronin's Full Expert Profile

Director of the Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute and Professor of Microbiology in the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Grijalva was quoted in CNN and several other outlets on Chagas disease, saying when you consider it a problem that belongs to others, it’s not important, but when it’s a problem affecting people here, the recognition that it is an endemic disease in the United States is a game-changer, at least in terms of the public policy possibilities and the awareness that is required to properly address this complicated issue. It also highlights how he spent his recent sabbatical riding a motorcycle across Latin America to spread the word about the condition, after making a similar motorcycle trip in the U.S.

News Stories

• CNN - ‘Kissing bug’ disease is here to stay in the US, experts say. Here’s why it’s spreading
• Dallas Examiner - ‘Kissing bug’ disease, why it’s spreading and here to stay in the U.S.

View Mario Grijalva's Full Expert Profile

Chair and O’Bleness Full Professor of Analytics & Information System in the College of Business

Bansal was quoted in the Ohio Capital Journal and other outlets explaining that as attention shifts to integrating artificial intelligence in higher education, the ability to think critically about AI becomes increasingly vital. Bansal said that critical thinking becomes more important in this age of AI because only those people who are really smart in how they engage AI will do really well, as well as saying that humans can play a very important role in making sure that AI is used, developed, and implemented in an ethical way.

News Stories

• The Ohio Capital Journal - "How Ohio universities are embracing artificial intelligence"
• Circleville Herald - "How Ohio universities are embracing artificial intelligence"

Professor of Counseling in the Patton College of Education

Bhat was quoted in Spectrum News and featured on their broadcasts about the risks TikTok poses to youth mental health and safety. Bhat emphasized how algorithmic recommendation systems can lead students down very dark paths and that while many social platforms require users to be at least 13, younger children often circumvent those restrictions with minimal verification. She urged parents to be proactive, advising them to delay children’s access to social media where possible, enforcing firm usage boundaries, monitoring device use, and fostering open conversations about online risks.

News Stories

• Spectrum News - "Protecting kids and teens on TikTok"

View Christine Bhat's Full Expert Profile

Assistant Professor of Computer Science in the Russ College of Engineering and Technology

Mourning was quoted by CNN and several other outlets discussing the growing strain on U.S. air traffic control operations during the federal government shutdown. Mourning explained that while essential flight operations have continued, the system is under mounting pressure as controllers work without pay and face increasing fatigue. He noted that although multiple safety layers remain in place to prevent major incidents, ongoing staffing shortages are leading to more delays and heightened stress across the system.

News Stories

• CNN - "Air traffic control staffing problems spiked over the weekend, raising concerns about growing disruption"
• Audacy - "Government shutdown could impact holiday travel"
• Deseret News - "U.S. airports are seeing travel delays due to air traffic controller shortages as shutdown drags on"
• The National Digest - "Air Traffic Staffing Shortages Worsen Amid Government Shutdown, Leaving Travelers Uncertain"
• OHIO Today - "‘Very stressful; it’s high stakes,’ Government shutdown strains overburdened air traffic controllers"

View Chad Mourning's Full Expert Profile

Professor of Community-based Health and Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Ralph S. Licklider, D.O. Endowed Faculty Fellow in Behavioral Health in the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Franz was featured in several news outlets for a study she coauthored on the far-reaching mental-health effects of having a parent incarcerated. She explained that children whose parent goes to jail or prison before age 18 are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression or PTSD by mid-life regardless of the incarcerated parent’s gender or the child’s sex. Franz was also featured in news outlets for coauthoring a study on how primary care providers in Ohio treat opioid use disorder (OUD) compared with type 2 diabetes.

News Stories

• Medical Xpress - "New study reveals long-term mental health effects of having a parent incarcerated"
• Life Technology - "Study Reveals Link: Parental Incarceration Tied to Child Mental Health"
• Health Medicine Network - "What are the surprising attitudes among Ohio primary care providers toward diabetes vs. opioid use disorder treatment"
• OHIO Today - "New study reveals long-term mental health effects of having a parent incarcerated"
• OHIO Today - "New study led by OHIO researcher reveals surprising attitudes among Ohio primary care providers toward diabetes vs. opioid use disorder treatment"

View Berkeley Franz's Full Expert Profile

Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences

Grant Weinandy was quoted in Spectrum News One regarding the rapid expansion of online sports betting in Ohio and its mounting risks for addiction among young adults. She explained how 24/7 access to gambling via smartphones has fundamentally changed the landscape, converting what was once a controlled activity into a nearly frictionless, constant possibility. She also highlighted that this ease of access not only increases the likelihood of gambling disorders, but also makes the behavior especially dangerous because the brain’s reward systems become deeply engaged, sometimes leading to higher suicide rates than substance use disorders.

News Stories

Spectrum News One - "Ohio’s online betting boom raises addiction alarms"

View Jennifer Grant Weinandy's Full Expert Profile

Chang Ying-Chien Professor of Paleontology, Professor of Anatomy and Ohio University Presidential Research Scholar in the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Witmer was prominently quoted in several media outlets about a new study he coauthored showing that pterosaurs and birds developed “flight-ready” brains via very different evolutionary paths. He explained that while early birds inherited a brain layout from their dinosaur ancestors, pterosaurs “essentially built their own ‘flight computers’ from scratch.” The study shows that pterosaurs had relatively small, reptile-like brains rather than the large, bird-style brains traditionally thought necessary for flight. Witmer was also quoted in National Geographic commenting on a decades long debate on how fossils previously thought to be juvenile T. rex specimens actually belong to a more slender, distinct species of tyrannosaurus.

News Stories

• Phys.org - "Flightless ancestor shows brain evolution in pterosaurs and birds took different paths"
• MyScience - "Pterosaurs and birds developed flight-ready brains in different ways"
• OHIO Today - "OHIO researcher co-authors new study showing pterosaurs and birds evolved flight-ready brains in different ways"
• National Geographic Polska - "What Was Nanotyrannus? This Fossil Has Scientists Divided"

View Lawrence Witmer's Full Expert Profile

Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs and O’Bleness Professor of Sport Management in the College of Business

Strode was quoted in The Kansas City Star on why ongoing scandals in the sports-betting world hurt everyone, not just gamblers, but also the wider integrity of sports and community trust. The article argues that repeated misconduct around gambling can damage fan confidence, ruin careers and erode the public’s faith in fair play. 

News Stories

• The Kansas City Star - "Why ‘everyone loses’ if sports gambling scandals continue amid betting surge"
• OHIO Today - "Sports betting and the NFL: Why the league embraced gambling and what’s next"

View Jim Strode's Full Expert Profile

O' Bleness Professor of Marketing; Undergraduate Assurance of Learning Coordinator; Provost Faculty Fellow for Faculty Onboarding in the College of Business

Dingus was quoted in The Washington Post on the emerging trend of the retail and restaurant greeting “Welcome in.” Dingus explained how “Welcome in” draws unnecessary attention, bringing “heightened awareness to the notion that consumers are entering a commercial space” and taking them out of the escapism of recreational shopping.

News Stories

• The Washington Post - "'Welcome In' is this year's inescapable retail greeting"

Fox Associate Professor of Marketing; Director, Center for Consumer Research & Analytics (CRA) in the College of Business

Hiler was quoted in Sharp Magazine on the potential implications if Netflix were to acquire Warner Bros., a deal that has stirred intense debate across the media industry. Hiler warned that such consolidation could diminish competition and innovation in Hollywood, arguing that “competition is a force for good for consumers, for actors, for production crews and more working on films,” with the primary beneficiaries often being the studio heads rather than the broader creative ecosystem. His comments underscored concerns that a merged Netflix–Warner entity might dominate content distribution and limit opportunities for independent filmmakers, potentially reshaping the future of streaming and the film industry.

News Stories

• Sharp Magazine - "Could Netflix (Or Paramount) Acquiring Warner Bros. Affect Streaming in Canada?"
• OHIO Today - "What Netflix’s bid for Warner Bros. could mean for Hollywood and consumers"

View Jacob Hiler's Full Expert Profile

Associate Professor and Director of the Social Media Analytics Research Team (SMART) Lab in the Scripps College of Communication

Khan authored an article in Greenbook highlighting findings from new global research on public attitudes toward artificial intelligence. Khan emphasized that, contrary to prevailing industry assumptions, users value substance, reliability and ethical integrity in AI far more than flashy personalities, animated avatars, or exaggerated friendliness—traits long thought to drive acceptance. He explained that competence and trustworthiness are the key drivers of sustained user engagement and loyalty, while superficial emotional displays can undermine confidence and alienate users.

News Stories

• Greenbook - "What Users Like/Don’t Like about AI...New Research Helps Chart AI Marketing + Public Acceptance"

View Laeeq Khan's Full Expert Profile