Media and Public Relations
It was another productive quarter for the Media and Public Relations Office. National broadcast and print outlets ranging from BBC Radio to National Geographic highlighted Binghamton faculty in recent months, and we also joined 19 other U.S. research universities as founding partners of The Conversation US, an independent platform for analysis and commentary written by scholars, edited by journalists and aimed at the general public. Finally, the University Facebook page continues to break records as we get closer to the 50,000 followers mark, and the video team had the opportunity to film, edit and premiere a new overview video for the School of Management. Details on these initiatives and so much more can be found in detail below.
Binghamton in the news
Carl Lipo, professor of anthropology, is leading a study that contradicts the belief that the ancient civilization of Rapa Nui, Chile, was destroyed by warfare, as claimed by scholars. Lipo’s research was published in National Geographic, Smithsonian, BBC World Service, Newsday, Washington Post, Nature World News, Daily Star, International Business Times, BBC, Archaeology Magazine, America Online, Headlines and Global News, The Inquisitr News, Science Daily, Tech Times, The Epoch Times, Popular Archaeology and more. Circulation: Over 919.7 million.
Nicole Cameron, assistant professor of psychology, led a research team that was the first to look into the effects of drinking during pregnancy on alcohol-related behavior, on future generations. The team found that when a mother drinks even a small amount of alcohol during pregnancy, she could increase the chances that the next three generations may develop alcoholism. Cameron’s research was published in Cosmopolitan, Parent, YahooNews, the Inquisitr News and Pop Sugar. Circulation: Over 79 million.
J. Koji Lum, professor of anthropology and biological sciences and director of the Laboratory of Evolutionary Anthropology and Health (LEAH), was mentioned in a Travel and Leisure story discussing the link between an excess of dopamine in the brain and a tendency to engage in impulsive and dangerous behaviors. Circulation: Over 2 million.
Mycah Hazel, a Binghamton University sophomore, published an article in the Huffington Post titled “Connecting The Oscars Debate and the Black Lives Matter Movement.” In it she argued that “the debate over the Oscars, and the overarching debate over diversity in Hollywood, is vital, not just because it will give more black actors and actresses a trophy to hold or a film to promote, but because it will give less black parents a funeral to plan.” Circulation: Over 46 million.
Changhong Ke, associate professor of mechanical engineering, is researching oron nitride, which, like carbon, can form single-atom-thick sheets that are rolled into cylinders to create nanotubes. By themselves, boron nitride nanotubes are almost as strong as carbon nanotubes, but their real advantage in a composite material comes from the way they stick strongly to the polymer. His research was featured in ECN Magazine, Nanowerk, Space Daily.com and Science Daily. Circulation: Over 224,000.
Adam Laats, assistant professor of education, commented on recent protests and campaigns for change led by college students. He said that, “When students are interested in the morals of their reading lists, we might suspect that they are actually doing the reading.” The article was published in the Washington Post, Chicago Sun Times and the Albany Times Union. Circulation: Over 50.1 million.
Cheryl Monachino, director of industrial outreach for the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science, suggests performing a self-assessment, as outlined in Engineering.com, to identify gaps in professional skills and then seeking out opportunities to develop and practice needed skills. Circulation: Over 35,000.
Michael J. Pettid, professor of Korean studies, discussed how unlike in Vietnam — where French colonization from the 18th century until 1954 led to the deep integration of French dishes into Vietnamese cuisine — Korea remained relatively untouched by French colonizers, and thus foods from France were completely foreign. His comments were featured on Asia One and Eater.com. Circulation: Over 18 million.
Seokheun ‘Sean’ Choi, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, along with a team of researchers at Binghamton University, have applied the Japanese art of paper folding to create a new origami battery. Choi’s new device is an inexpensive, bacteria-powered battery that is made from paper. His research was featured by Science World Report. Circulation: 35,000.
Ralph M. Garruto, professor of biomedical anthropology, is a human population biologist whose research focuses on natural experimental models of disease, using both field and laboratory approaches. As reported in Fox News Health Network and the Fat Cat Collective, ticks that can carry Lyme disease are now more widespread in the U.S. than ever before. In the study, experts mapped the distribution of Lyme-disease-carrying ticks and found that they are ranging farther north and are now living in nearly 50 percent of the U.S. counties. One reason for the ticks’ recent range expansion may be climate change. Circulation: Over 117 million.
Sarah Laszlo, assistant professor of psychology, along with fellow researchers at Binghamton University, have developed a biometric identification system that scans your brain as a means of positive recognition. She claims the technology has the potential to replace fingerprint scanners and facial recognition to figure out if the person is really you. The technique involves the use of an electroencephalograms (EEG) cap where subjects are exposed to a series of images, words, celebrity faces and simple photographs. This research was featured in the Hindustan Times, Gizmodo (UK) and Yahoo News. Circulation: 56.2 million.
A research team led by Linke Guo, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, has developed a new app that hides a user’s location when searching online so that third-party services can’t detect where the user is, as well as gives the user the option to give a friend their location. The research was featured in the International Business Times. Circulation: Over 57.2 million.
Donald G. Neiman, provost, published an op-ed in the Huffington Post discussing why the state of Texas abandoned a progressive gun control policy. Circulation: Over 90 million.
Therese A. Cingranelli, adjunct lecturer of political science, wrote an op-ed that was published in The Philadelphia Inquirer about U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and the renewed debate regarding his eligibility to serve as president of the United States. While Cruz has cited the U.S. Naturalization Law of March 26, 1790, and the Naturalization Act of 1795 as the basis of his claim that he is eligible to run for and serve as president, Cingranelli argued that his case is weak. Circulation: Over 4.4 million.
Jonathan Krasno, associate professor of political science, was co-author of a study suggesting that lawn signs might be more than just political scenery. Krasno claims that while other campaign techniques like robo-calling and door-to-door canvassing have been studied extensively, there’s been little research on whether lawn signs actually work. After testing the effectiveness of lawn signs in four different elections, the results, according to Krasno, concluded that candidates who placed lawn signs received a 1.7 percentage point increase in their vote share. This report also aired on New Hampshire Public Radio. Circulation: Over 31,000.
Binghamton University was ranked number 18 in a list of the 20 public colleges in the US where students go on to earn the highest salaries published by Business Insider. It was the top-rated school in NY. Circulation: Over 40 million.
Social media
The University had several popular posts during the quarter on all of its social channels. A Facebook post revealing that 2016 presidential candidate Bernie Sanders once taught for the University reached more than 366,000 people. Our top tweet, which linked to a video featuring Tony Kornheiser ‘70, earned 19,000+ impressions and had 698 engagements. A LinkedIn post announcing that Business First named us the #20 public college in the US received 300+likes.
During the quarter, the University surpassed 48,000 followers on Facebook, 11,400 followers on Instagram and 76,700 followers on LinkedIn. The University’s Snapchat account also saw an increase in followers.
BinghamtonU Blog
The Binghamton University Blog published seven blog posts, on topics ranging from TAG Day to movies and TV shows featuring Binghamton alumni.
“Gender-neutral bathrooms; Where they are and why they matter” had a reach of over 38,000 on Facebook.
Other posts published this quarter include:
“A Day in the Life of Amanda Gerstman: A human development/pre-law student”
“16 TV shows and movies featuring Binghamton talent you can stream right now”
“20 things you absolutely must do this semester”
Ask a Scientist
A total of nine “Ask a Scientist” columns were published in the Press & Sun-Bulletin throughout the quarter. Faculty, staff and graduate students from across various schools and departments at Binghamton contributed answers to questions ranging from “How does electricity travel through wires?” to “Why doesn’t your face get goosebumps like your arms do?”
Video
Find out why Binghamton University School of Management is ranked among the elite business programs in the nation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf9ZoAu3RUw
In episode 25 of the Binghamton Buzz, host Trey Santiago walked around campus doing good deeds to gear up students for Random Acts of Kindness Week, which ran from Feb. 14-20.
The Freshman Research Immersion Program gives freshman hands-on research experience. In image and acoustic signals, which is one of eight research streams, students work with Professor Chris Bishop.
Watch ESPN talk show host and alumnus Tony Kornheiser ‘70 reflect on his days spent as a student of Harpur College, while noting the evident changes the campus has endured in and after its transition to Binghamton University, in Then and Now with Tony Kornheiser (Pardon the Interruption).
The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Book Endowment Fund will help Binghamton University EOP students buy textbooks and other required course materials that have grown beyond their financial abilities.
Binghamton University 2015 Year in Review: What a year it has been! Here’s a look back at some of the more memorable moments that made 2015 so special.
Watch the day’s festivities from Binghamton University Commencement Fall ‘15, held Sunday, Dec. 20.
Follow Sam Pfaffenbach, chef manager of the Chenango Champlain Collegiate Center Dining Hall, into the kitchen, where he shares his culinary journey and inspiration. For Pfaffenbach, food is playful and ever-evolving!
High-profile University/President Stenger activities
On Jan. 26, President Harvey Stenger participated in the first REDC meeting of 2016 and the first meeting since the Southern Tier REDC won the Upstate Revitalization Initiative (URI) competition. The Southern Tier was one of three regions deemed to have made the most compelling proposals for the funding.
At a ceremony in Albany in December, the STREDC’s plan was designated a “Best Plan Awardee” – and will receive $500 million to support projects that advance four economic development strategies:
• Build the Greater Binghamton Innovation Ecosystem
• Invest in the Advanced Manufacturing Industry
• Transform the Food and Agriculture Industry
• Promote the Southern Tier’s Innovative Culture
At the first meeting of the REDC in 2016, Council members discussed the win as well as the steps needed to move the many URI projects forward.
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On Saturday, Feb. 20, Binghamton University held its sixth annual University Day at the Mall — an annual community outreach event. Stenger attended the event at the Oakdale Mall in Johnson City and toured all of the displays, activities and performances presented by staff, faculty and students. This is an annual “advocacy” event designed to help the community understand all of the incredible resources that exist, as well as the wonderful activities taking place, at the University.
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On Tuesday, March 1, Binghamton University participated in its annual Advocacy Day in Albany. On that day, Federal Relations Director Darcy Fauci accompanied four students—Matt Carrigan, Megan Curran, John Walpole and Katrina Morozov—to Albany to distribute Advocacy Day brochures to Senate and Assembly Members. This year’s brochure once again featured the theme “20 facts you should know about Binghamton University.” The students delivered the brochures and interacted with legislators and staff members. At one point during the visit, students were invited into the Assembly Chamber, and their names were announced during the proceedings.
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NYS Sen. Fred Akshar visited campus on March 4 to visit with Vice President for Student Affairs Brian Rose, Vice President for Research Bahgat Sammakia and Watson School Dean “Hari” Srihari. These meetings were arranged to help the senator “get to know” the campus and all of its initiatives. Akshar will return on March 24 to visit with Provost Don Nieman, Harpur Dean Anne McCall, Pharmacy Dean Gloria Meredith, CCPA Dean Laura Bronstein and Chief of Police Timothy Faughnan. President Stenger is expected to meet with the senator as well.