The Academic Minute

On Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business Week: E-commerce is a big deal in China. Lizhu Liu, associate professor, discusses why. Lizhi Liu is an Assistant Professor at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business and the author of the award-winning book From Click to Boom: The Political Economy of E-commerce in China (Princeton University Press, […]

On Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business Week: Can algorithms be used to eliminate implicit biases in financial decisions? Francesco D'Acunto, Clark Chair in Global Real Estate and Provost Distinguished professor of finance, determines the possibilities. Francesco D'Acunto is the A. James Clark Chair in Global Real Estate and Provost Distinguished Associate Professor of Finance […]

On Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business Week: Creators want to get paid for their work, but should they also release content for free as well? Ziwei Cong, assistant professor of marketing, says yes. Ziwei Cong is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University. Her research employs econometrics and machine […]

On Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business Week: A lot of our clothes we buy end up in landfills. Vishal Agrawal, Professor and Henry J. Blommer Family Endowed Chair in sustainable business, looks to reduce this. Vishal Agrawal is Henry J. Blommer Family Endowed Chair in Sustainable Business, Professor of Operations and Information Management, and […]

On Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business Week: Cutting costs has benefits, but also hidden costs. Yunan Ji, assistant professor of strategy at the McDonough School of Business, discusses this as it relates to health care. Yunan Ji is an Assistant Professor of Strategy at the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business. Her research focuses on […]

Angry birds aren't just a videogame; they have a biological reason to be angry in real life too. Sara Lipshutz, assistant professor of biology at Duke University, explores why. Sara Lipshutz is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Department at Duke University. Her lab’s research focuses on the evolution of behavior across weird and wonderfully […]

We're still making new discoveries about pregnancy. Donghai Liang, associate professor of environmental health at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, examines how exposure to certain chemicals may affect mothers and babies. As an exposure scientist and molecular epidemiologist, Dr. Donghai Liang is particularly interested in characterizing the human exposome and elucidating the molecular […]

Mosquitos and ticks are parts of the summer, so how do we best avoid them? Lee Haines, associate research professor in Medical Entomology at the University of Notre Dame, discusses. Lee Haines is a researcher with a PhD in Tropical Medicine and an MSc in Parasite Biochemistry and Microbiology, who specializes in diseases transmitted by […]

Collaboration can happen anywhere these days and bring lots of benefits. Andrew Osborne, faculty lecturer at Douglas College, explores collaboration in an academic framework. Andrew Osborne is a faculty lecturer in intercultural communication at Douglas College in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada. In his intercultural communication teaching practice, Andrew has developed and led six Collaborative […]

On this Student Spotlight: Teens aren't the only ones who should be studied when it comes to social media use. Alison Tuck, Ph. D candidate in clinical psychology at Washington University in St. Louis, researches adult use as well. Alison Tuck is a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at Washington University in St. Louis. Her […]

Drones can help us with wildfire detection and suppression. Matthew Spencer, associate professor of engineering at Harvey Mudd College, takes a bird's eye view. Matthew Spencer (Member, IEEE) received B.S. and M.Eng. degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2007 and 2008, respectively, and a Ph.D. degree from the University of California, Berkeley, in […]

We think we know what causes mutations in dogs at Chornobyl, right? Megan Dillon, PhD graduate from the Genetics program at North Carolina State University, says that might not be the case. Megan is a recent PhD graduate from the Genetics program at North Carolina State University. Her dissertation work focused on the free-breeding dogs […]

We're still learning about how to best serve those with autism. Catherine Talbot, assistant professor in the school of psychology at the Florida Institute of Technology, discusses how a hormone for social behavior could help. Catherine F. Talbot is an Assistant Professor in the School of Psychology at Florida Tech. After receiving her B.S. in […]

Could the moon of another planet be a source for life as we know it? Antonin Affholder, post-doctoral researcher at the University of Arizona, discusses. Antonin Affholder obtained his PhD from the École Normale Supérieure, in Paris, France, working on developing models of ecosystems on other worlds to assess their habitability and to research biosignatures. […]

Why do meteorites that land on Earth not match their asteroid brethren in space? Patrick Shober, postdoctoral fellow at the Paris Observatory and NASA's Johnson Space Center, watches the skies for answers. Patrick Shober is a planetary scientist who investigates small solar-system bodies—from asteroids and comets to the spectacular fireballs their debris creates in Earth's […]

Early detection is key in preventing parasites invading shellfish. Andrew Davinack, assistant professor of biology at Wheaton College in Massachusetts, takes a practical approach to doing so. I am an aquatic biologist with a strong focus on invasive invertebrates and the parasites which infect them. In particular, I am interested in understanding how human activities […]

We are still learning about all the effects of cannabis use. Raphael Cuomo, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego, explores how it may tie in with one affliction. Raphael E. Cuomo, PhD, is a globally recognized authority in biomedical science and non-communicable disease epidemiology. His research has shaped how scientists and […]

E-cigarette use is declining, but nicotine pouch usage is on the rise. Dae Hee Han, researcher associate in the department of population and public health sciences at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, delves into why. As a behavioral scientist, Dr. Dae-Hee Han specializes in investigating the behavioral and health-related […]

Air pollution has gone down, but wildfire smoke is here to replace it. Nick Muller, professor of economics, engineering, and public policy at Carnegie Mellon University, explores how to address this. Nicholas Muller is the Lester and Judith Lave Professor of Economics, Engineering, and Public Policy and works at the intersection of environmental policy and […]

Lung cancer has a high chance of relapse, so how do we get out of ahead of it? Nancy Guo, SUNY Empire Innovation Professor in the school of computing at Binghamton University, discusses technology that helps us do so. Nancy Guo is one of the newest additions to the Binghamton University School of Computing as […]

On University at Albany Week: One community resource is well positioned to help people engage with AI. Maria Gascó-Hernandez, research director at the Center for Technology in Government and Associate professor of public administration and policy, explores. Mila Gascó-Hernandez is the Research Director at the University at Albany's Center for Technology in Government (CTG UAlbany). […]

On University at Albany Week: Problem gambling can affect anyone, especially students. Laura Longo, researcher with the Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research, explores how to combat this. Laura Longo is a licensed psychologist and researcher with the Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research at UAlbany, as well as a senior […]

On University at Albany Week: Understanding what drives antimicrobial resistance is crucial. Cheryl Andam, associate professor in the department of biological sciences at the RNA Institute, identifies a new mechanism. Cheryl Andam is an associate professor in UAlbany's Department of Biological Sciences. She works on the genome evolution of bacterial pathogens, with a focus on antimicrobial […]

On University at Albany Week: Knowing what came before can help us prepare for what's ahead in our climate's future. Mathias Vuille, professor in the department of atmospheric and environmental sciences, digs in to search for clues. Mathias Vuille is a professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences at the University at Albany. […]

On University at Albany Week: Preparing for disasters is crucial. Alex Greer, associate professor in the department of emergency management and homeland security, looks into one avenue to do so. Alex Greer is an associate professor in the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security at the University at Albany. Greer's research focuses on a number […]

How can AI help students get information while not replacing human interactions in the process? Tirumala Chimpiri, senior programmer analyst and independent researcher at Stony Brook University, examines the possibilities. Tirumala Rao Chimpiri is a Senior Programmer Analyst and Independent Researcher at Stony Brook University, NY. He is a seasoned software professional with over 26 […]

Crimes of passion against women are a problem in Italy. Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, associate professor of communication studies at Colorado State University, delves into why. Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager is an Associate Professor of Communication at Colorado State University and a Director of Education Abroad programs in Europe. She is a holder of three International Communication Association Top […]

Not everyone's brain ages at the same rate. Andria L. Ford, professor of neurology, adult stroke & cerebrovascular disease at Washington University of St. Louis Medicine, looks into one reason why. Dr. Andria L. Ford is a neurologist at WashU Medicine specializing in stroke, cerebrovascular diseases, and the neurological complications of sickle cell disease. Her […]

Knowing what your co-workers may lead to unintended consequences. Boris Maciejovsky, associate professor of management at the University of California Riverside School of Business, outlines why. Boris Maciejovsky is an award winning researcher and teacher, a TEDx speaker, and an Associate Professor of Management. His research interests are decision-making in economic, social, and organizational contexts. […]

We all hate waiting for road maintenance to be completed; what if we didn't have to wait? Rae Robertson-Anderson, professor of physics and biophysics and associate provost for engaged scholarship at the University of San Diego, explores how this could be possible. Robertson-Anderson is Associate Provost for Engaged Scholarship at University of San Diego, where […]

On Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa Week: What do Antiques Roadshow and NFTs have in common? Soogand Alavi, assistant professor of marketing, says more than you might think. Soogand Alavi is an assistant professor of marketing in the University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business. She studies emerging technologies such as […]

On Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa Week: How do we reduce biases in AI learning models? Qihang Lin, Henry B. Tippie research fellow and associate professor in the department of business analytics, explores the options. Qihang Lin is Henry B. Tippie Research Fellow and Associate Professor in the Department of Business […]

On this Student Spotlight during Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa Week: Should companies use slang on social media? Probably not. Bryce Pyrah, PhD student in marketing, explains why. Bryce Pyrah is a PhD student in marketing at the University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business, University of Iowa. His research focuses […]

On Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa Week: Do you know a co-worker with a side hustle? Jennifer Nahrgang, professor and Henry B. Tippie Excellence Chair of Management and Entrepreneurship, discusses how it might affect them at work. Jennifer D. Nahrgang is Professor and Henry B. Tippie Excellence Chair of Management and […]

On Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa Week: How do we fix the loneliness epidemic? Emily Campion, assistant professor of management and entrepreneurship, discusses one place you can foster closeness. Emily Campion is an assistant professor of management and entrepreneurship in the Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa. Her research […]

On Harvey Mudd College Week: It takes time to read a lot of information, and what if you need it fast? Xanda Schofield, assistant professor of computer science, looks beyond AI. Xanda Schofield is an Assistant Professor in Computer Science at Harvey Mudd College. She completed her B.S. in Computer Science and Mathematics at Harvey […]

On Harvey Mudd College Week: To solve big problems, we may need to look small. Albert Dato, associate professor of engineering, explains why. Albert Dato is an Associate Professor of Engineering at Harvey Mudd College (HMC). His undergraduate research program at HMC focuses on the synthesis and applications of advanced materials that can address challenges […]

On Harvey Mudd College Week: Reducing the cost of capturing energy from the sun could be crucial to our future. Hal Van Ryswyk, John Stauffer professor of chemistry, looks at one way to do so. Hal Van Ryswyk is a materials chemist doing fundamental research on low-cost photovoltaics with undergraduate coworkers at Harvey Mudd College […]

On Harvey Mudd College Week: What can fish teach us when they're out of the water? Leah Mendelson, associate professor of engineering, looks into this. Dr. Leah Mendelson holds a B.S. from Olin College (2011) and a M.S. (2013) and Ph.D. (2017) from MIT, all in mechanical engineering. At Harvey Mudd College, Dr. Mendelson teaches […]

On Harvey Mudd College Week: Coral reefs are at risk, but other types of coral may flourish in the future. Catherine McFadden, Vivian & D. Kenneth Baker professor of life sciences, dives in to take a look. Catherine S. McFadden has been a faculty member at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California since 1991, where […]

Are you honest with your romantic partner? Bonnie Le, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Rochester, explains the benefits of doing so. Bonnie Le is an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Rochester whose research focuses on how emotions and motivations shape well-being in interpersonal relationships. The goal of her research […]

Underwater organisms have things to teach us about how to keep our grip in extreme conditions. Austin Garner, assistant professor of integrative animal biology at Syracuse University, explores how. Austin M. Garner is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology and BioInspired Institute at Syracuse University. His research focuses on how animals interface with […]

Not all common medical conditions are well studied. Sonja Molfenter, associate professor in communicate sciences and disorders at New York University, examines one that needs more attention. Dr. Sonja Molfenter is a clinically-trained Speech Language Pathologist whose research specializes in understanding the physiological features of both normal swallowing and disordered swallowing (known as dysphagia). Swallowing […]

AI may help us make decisions, but are they the right decisions? Shun Ye, associate professor of information systems and operations management at George Mason University, examines the outcomes. Shun Ye is an Associate professor of Information Systems and Operations Management at George Mason University's Costello College of Business. With a Ph.D. in Management Information […]

Trees don't need to be in a forest to help combat climate change. Will Berelson, Paxson Offield professor of Earth Sciences, Environmental Studies and Spatial Sciences at the University of Southern California Dornsife, looks at reducing emissions in urban areas. Will Berelson is the Paxson Offield Professor of Earth Sciences, Environmental Studies and Spatial Sciences […]

Children have imaginary friends, but what about adults? Stephanie Madsen, professor of psychology at McDaniel College, examines this with athletes in mind. Stephanie Madsen is professor of psychology at McDaniel College. She joined the college in 2001 after earning her master's and Ph.D. in child psychology from the University of Minnesota, and graduated magna cum […]

We may have found an ally in our fight against PFAS chemicals. Diana Aga, Henry M. Woodburn Chair and SUNY Distinguished Professor of chemistry and the director of the RENEW Institute at the University at Buffalo, looks into this. Diana Aga is an environmental and analytical chemist. As Henry M. Woodburn Chair and SUNY Distinguished […]

How we experience an event may change how we remember it. Christopher Baldassano, associate professor of psychology at Columbia University, looks into our past experiences for clues. Christopher Baldassano is an Associate Professor in the Psychology Department at Columbia University. He was an undergraduate in Electrical Engineering at Princeton University, received his PhD in Computer […]

Why can mosquitoes harbor viruses without being affected while others cannot? Lee Haines, associate research professor in Medical Entomology at the University of Notre Dame, explores this. Lee Haines is a researcher with a PhD in Tropical Medicine and an MSc in Parasite Biochemistry and Microbiology, who specializes in diseases transmitted by arthropods. Her work […]

We need new tools for wildfire prevention going forward. Elahe Soltanaghai, assistant professor of computer science and electrical and computer engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, aims to deliver one. Elahe Soltanaghai is an assistant professor of Computer Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her research spans the areas of wireless networking and sensing with applications […]

On this Student Spotlight: Laws change all the time, but some have carried on for centuries.  Why is this? Yunsuh Nike Wee, Ph.D. student in the department of psychology at Oklahoma State University, discusses some. Yunsuh (Nike) Wee is a Ph.D. student in experimental psychology working with Dr. Daniel Sznycer. Her research focuses on how […]