Faculty Newsmakers

In January 2025, 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. 

In January 2025, Curran garnered significant media attention for her groundbreaking discovery in paleoanthropology. Leading an international team, Curran uncovered cut-marked bones at the Gr膬unceanu 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.

In February 2025, O鈥機onnor 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.

In February 2025, 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. 

In February 2025, 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. 

In March 2025, 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.

In March 2025, Duncan was featured in local and national 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 explained that while tariffs are intended to protect domestic industries, they often result in increased costs for consumers. He also noted that the revenue generated from these tariffs contributes to government funding but may not be sufficient to offset the broader economic challenges they pose.