OHIO's July 2026 Newsmakers

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

Jacob Hiler

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

Hiler was featured in Net Influencer and several other outlets discussing the growing demand for professionals trained in influencer marketing and the creator economy. Hiler explained that traditional marketing curricula have changed little over the years, continuing to focus on areas such as the four Ps, consumer behavior and market research, despite the rapid growth of influencer marketing and the need for professionals with specialized knowledge of the digital landscape.

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Net Influencer - "The Hottest New Degree on Campus This Fall? A Bachelor’s in Content Creation"

Andrea Richard

Interim Director of Edwards Accelerator Lab and Assistant Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences

Richard was featured in multiple science publications, including Phys.org, SciTechDaily, Science Springs and Nanowerk, for her role as co-lead on research that helps solve a decades-old mystery inside atomic nuclei. The study found that magnetic transitions are responsible for a mysterious excess of low-energy gamma rays in zinc-70, providing a new explanation for the phenomenon and helping scientists better understand neutron-capture reactions that play a role in the formation of heavy elements in stars, supernovae and neutron star mergers.

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Sandy Chen

Professor of Hospitality and Tourism in the Patton College of Education

Chen was featured in the Welland Tribune and Toronto Star discussing the resurgence of bed-and-breakfasts in the age of Airbnb and changing traveler expectations. Chen highlighted how modern B&Bs are evolving beyond the traditional image of quaint, old-fashioned lodging by offering distinctive experiences, personalized hospitality and a sense of place that can help them stand out from both hotels and short-term rental platforms.

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Jacqueline Yahn

Assistant Professor of Teacher Education and Middle Childhood Education Eastern Campus Program Coordinator at Ohio University Eastern

Yahn was featured in the Associated Press and many other outlets discussing the discovery of 16 children living in deplorable conditions in a Vinton County home and the questions surrounding how their situation went unnoticed for years. Yahn who specializes in rural education and poverty explained that the children’s isolation and lack of participation in schools and regular medical care likely contributed to the situation going undetected, noting that these settings provide opportunities for trained professionals to recognize signs of problems with children’s well-being and development.

News Stories

Angela Hillman

Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology in the College of Health Sciences and Professions

Hillman was featured in USA Today and several other outlets discussing the health risks associated with an intense heat wave affecting the East Coast. Hillman, an expert in environmental and occupational health, explained how extreme heat can place significant stress on the body and increase health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations, emphasizing the importance of taking precautions as temperatures and humidity rise.