OHIO's April 2026 Newsmakers

A view of Cutler Hall from College Green

Rich-Joseph Facun

Four faculty members were recognized by Ohio University as April 2026 Faculty Newsmakers. Learn more about their media mentions below:

Jeff Russell

Associate Professor of Athletic Training in the College of Health Sciences and Professions

Russell was featured in several outlets for his groundbreaking study examining concussion risk among performers in Cirque du Soleil. Drawing on nearly a decade of medical data, Russell’s research provided one of the most comprehensive analyses of head injuries in elite circus arts. The study also identified important patterns, including that most concussions occur during live performances and most frequently affect acrobats, offering new insight into when and how these injuries happen. By quantifying risk and challenging assumptions about the dangers of performance environments, Russell’s work highlighted opportunities for improved safety practices and injury prevention.

News Stories

Janet Simon

Associate Dean for Research and Associate Professor in the College of Health Sciences and Professions

Simon was highlighted in media coverage for her critical analytical role in a study on concussion rates among performers in Cirque du Soleil. As the project’s lead statistician, Simon was responsible for transforming a massive dataset of nearly a decade of medical records into meaningful, reliable findings. She was quoted talking on how she applied statistical modeling to examine trends over time and compare concussion patterns across performer groups, including acrobats, dancers and musicians, helping to identify where and how injuries most frequently occurred. Simon’s work also uncovered key insights, such as the concentration of concussions during live performances and among acrobats.

News Stories

Jim Montgomery

Professor and Coordinator for Ph.D. programs in the College of Health Sciences and Professions

Montgomery was highlighted in media coverage connected to a major National Institutes of Health report that brought renewed attention to developmental language disorder (DLD), an often-overlooked but highly prevalent condition affecting an estimated 7–10% of school-age children. Montgomery’s analysis helped clarify the complexity of identifying DLD, noting that the disorder doesn’t always look the same and that signs can range from quite mild to profound, which can make identification especially difficult in school settings. He also underscored key diagnostic challenges highlighted in the report, including the need to distinguish DLD from related conditions like dyslexia and the lack of early screening systems for oral language skills in schools.

News Stories

Katrina Hamilton

Assistant Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences

Hamilton was quoted in media coverage for leading a clinical study on whether combining cannabis with opioids improves pain relief. Her findings showed that the combination offered no added benefit for people with knee osteoarthritis and increased side effects like drowsiness and impaired thinking. Hamilton emphasized that the study challenges a common assumption that cannabis can enhance opioid effectiveness, noting that the evidence simply did not support that claim in a clinical setting. Her work underscores the need for careful, evidence-based approaches to pain management and cautions against relying on unproven combinations that may introduce additional risks without improving outcomes.