Human Ecology is a free publication of the New York State College of Human Ecology at Cornell University.
Additional information is available via email or by writing to:
Cornell University | College of Human Ecology | Box HE | Ithaca, NY 14853-4401

 

Past issues of Human Ecology magazine 

Summer 2021: Vol. 49 No. 1. This issue of the magazine celebrated the installation of PolyForm, a public art piece welcoming visitors to the College of Human Ecology, and the addition of eight new faculty members as part of a college-wide cohort hiring initiative called Pathways to Social Justice. We also highlighted the launch of the Community Neuroscience Initiative and the new super-department of psychology. We recognized the successes of our faculty, students, staff and alumni, including CHE’s Eve De Rosa being named the Dean of Faculty at Cornell. This issue also featured the important research going on at the College, including stories on a pilot program to help older adults manage their medications, gun violence and ethno-racial and income disparities, face mask improvements, charter schools, and Vitamin D and COVID-19.

Read the Summer 2021 issue online.

Summer 2020: Vol. 48 No. 1. In this issue of the magazine, we feature some of the important and timely research going on at the College, including studies on the effects of red meat consumption on heart disease risk, how green space affects crime rates, how augmented reality can improve online shopping, pharmaceutical industry policies, on-skin technology, and how children form stereotypes about social categories. We also celebrate many student, faculty, staff, and alumni successes and the completion of our comprehensive renovation of MVR Hall. We highlight the College’s history and its connection to the women’s suffrage movement, our critical response to the pandemic, and much more.

Read the Summer 2020 issue online.

Applying Knowledge: Vol. 47 No. 2, Fall 2019.  Inside, we feature fascinating research taking place across the College, including leveraging fibrous nanoparticles to create filtration systems to capture contaminants in the manufacturing process, a new metabolic discovery that may inform solutions to heart disease and diabetes, and how drug monitoring programs are impacting the opioid crisis. We further spotlight how our students are applying their knowledge to impacting real-world programs and take an in-depth look at what is to come in the not too distant future with the MVR Renovations. Finally, we highlight some of the amazing work of young alumni and their careers post-graduation.

Read HE Magazine online on Issuu or download the PDF file, 8MB.

HUMECATHON: Vol. 47 No. 1, Spring 2019. Within this issue of Human Ecology Magazine you will read about the amazing work of our faculty, students and alumni, including the Humecathon, a hackathon-style competition that brought together undergraduates from across all disciplines of the College to solve a real-world problem. Further, we feature fascinating research taking place across the College, including leveraging technology to locate the taste center of the brain and cutting-edge design work that impacts the way we think about built environments - from wearable technology to health care facilities. Finally, we feature some of the amazing careers of our alumni and the impact of student mentorship, scholarships and other giving.
Human Ecology’s Impact: Vol. 46 No. 2, Fall 2018. From local to global, we showcase the College of Human Ecology’s regional, national and international reach through research and real-world impact. Inside this issue, we showcase some of the amazing work of our faculty, students and staff within the Human Ecology community, such as nutritional science work in New York City and the real-world impact it is having on urban communities; developmental cognitive research that is unlocking the complexities of the criminal mind; our renovation of Martha Van Rensselaer Hall; and a story about graduate students fighting back against mosquito-borne illnesses. We also highlight several alumni who are impacting, influencing and improving lives, and the impact many are having on the College and its students today.
New Faces, New Spaces: Vol. 46 No. 1, Spring 2018. This issue of Human Ecology magazine exemplifies the diverse and important work we do, the exceptional way we do it and the positive result, domestically and around the world. The magazine also highlights two exciting drivers of change in the college: the renovations of MVR, (new spaces), and the changes in leadership, (new faces). Both continue to propel the college forward and bring the college’s mission to life. We also feature advancing research in unlocking nutrition secrets for expectant mothers that may have cognitive benefits for offspring; the real-world impact of our extension programs in New York State; the unique work of students who, recently graduated, find their creation featured in the MoMA; our alumni who are giving back to the College, students and society in so many ways.
Championing A Mission: Vol. 45 No. 2, Fall 2017. Inside we honor the legacy of Alan Mathios as the Rebecca Q. and James C. Morgan Dean of the College of Human Ecology, capturing his reflections on the many joys that have comprised his two-term, and interim, leadership. Further, this issue features the amazing work of our faculty, students and alumni, such as cutting-edge research, including a collaboration in neuroscience between faculty and alumni leveraging the College’s fMRI facility; the impactful work of our extension programs on youth development, driven forward by research and our land grant mission; the remarkable work of our students, both inside and outside of the classroom; and the diverse professional accomplishments of our alumni, as well as their generous support towards the College of Human Ecology.
Multi-Disciplinary Impact: Vol. 45, No. 1, Spring 2017. The College of Human Ecology is a hub for multi-disciplinary research at Cornell. This issue features cross-college, cross-campus research in the areas of social sciences, sustainability, design and engineering, and neuroscience, to name a few. Other highlights: Human Development undergraduate Daniel Rosenfeld '18 tackles unique research on social identity; the College continues to grow leaner and greener through sustainability efforts; a new sculpture embodies the mission of the College; and the Jacobs Challenge supports named endowed professorships. Alumni features also illuminate the issue, including a special message from Human Ecology Alumni Association Board President Reginald White '80.
Supporting NYC: Vol. 44, No. 2, Fall 2016. Human Ecology makes a broad-based impact in New York City with the Cornell University Cooperative Extension program, the Clinical and Translational Science Center, the 4-H Youth Leadership Academy, the Sloan Health Care IT Trek, the Translational Research Institute on Pain in Later Life, Urban Semester, and the WCM Neurological ICU Design. Also in this issue: Legendary fiber scientist, mentor, and administrator Kay Obendorf retires after 50 years of transforming the College; Human Ecology faculty, staff, and students take the lead in greening the Big Red; visionary Helen Storey becomes FSAD's first Designer in Residence; Rhonda Gilmore's design studio creates a visual identity for the Big Red Bands' new home; and the Sloan Program builds an orientation tradition with Ezra's Amazing Race.
Powerful Collaborations: Vol. 44, No. 1, Spring 2016. Human Ecology researchers reach across disciplines to fuel new innovations as the college engages alumni and community partners to make a difference in the world. From systems to promote better patient sleep in hospitals to new tools for mapping the brain to the science and design of next-generation smart clothing, Cornell Human Ecology and Engineering professors are partnering on extraordinary research projects. Other highlights from this issue: Looking back on a record-breaking capital campaign that promises to shape the college for decades ahead; Professors and undergraduates describe their research in neuroscience, public policy, nutrition and epidemiology, health care design, and fiber science; a tribute to late painter and artist Michael Boyd; a project to install sustainable, bamboo-based structures for communities in the Dominican Republic; and hands-on coursework by students in the Sloan Program in Health Administration and the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs.
Lighting a Fire: Vol. 43, No. 2, Fall 2015. 4-H programs spark New York youth to pursue STEM careers and higher education. From a young age, 4-H teaches kids about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), healthy living, and citizenship. Now new Human Ecology-supported programs, including a Cornell Summer College pre-freshman program for underprivileged New York youth and the Program for Research on Youth Development and Evaluation, are putting teens on a path to college-and beyond. Also in this issue: Urban Semester undergraduates live, learn, and serve in low-income Brooklyn and Bronx neighborhoods; Global Health launches an experiential learning summer program in the Dominican Republic; a new natural dye garden teaches students about sustainable fashion; and alumni, student, and faculty updates from around the globe.
Urie: The scientist who remade the field of human development: Vol. 43, No. 1. Fifty years after the launch of Head Start, Urie Bronfenbrenner-one of the architects of the federal program for underserved families-is remembered as a giant in his field. Former students, research partners, and Cornell faculty members share their thoughts on the late Bronfenbrenner's legacy as a scholar, mentor, researcher, and champion for youth and families. Also in this issue: A tour through 150 Years of Big Red fashion; gerontologist Karl Pillemer's latest book, sharing elder wisdom on love and marriage; long-running, legendary courses in the College of Human Ecology; alumni and campus updates and special sesquicentennial content.
On a Mission: Vol. 42, No. 2. In this year of Cornell University's sesquicentennial, Human Ecology professors, students, staff, and alumni reflect on the college's home economics roots, its current mission and focus, and where they think it'll go next. The issue also includes a Cornell sesquicentennial events calendar and Human Ecology history timeline, a trip to 4-H Camp Bristol Hills, where students and faculty guide research and outreach projects, the first look at transformable, active learning classrooms coming to the college in 2015 and created by Design and Environmental Analysis students, and extensive coverage of campus and alumni news.
Outstanding in the Field: Vol. 42, No. 1. From Argentina to Zimbabwe, Human Ecology faculty, staff, and students participate in dozens of academic programs, research partnerships, and engaged learning projects on six continents. At the center is the Global Health Program, which challenges students to apply their course knowledge to address public health concerns in resource-poor regions around the globe. The program's popularity sparked a new major in Global and Public Health Sciences, coming in Fall 2014. Through these and other projects, the college achieves a global impact by leading research, developing programs, and guiding students at home and abroad.
Serious About STEM: Vol. 41, No. 2. Technology is central to the college's multidisciplinary mission. Highly advanced tools and labs like the Cornell MRI Facility enable researchers to explore unknown areas. The Cornell Institute of Fashion and Fiber Innovation joins fiber scientists, apparel designers, and industry leaders to create next-generation smart clothing. College researchers are imagining innovative uses for everyday technology, employing smartphones and tablets to aid in health, nutrition, and economic development. And unique outreach approaches are leading to better education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for thousands of children and teens across New York.
Thought For Food: Vol. 41, No. 1. Working in communities and clinics, Cornell dietetic students learn to blend research and practice to promote healthy eating. The highly regarded Dietetic Internship program, preparing students for careers as registered dietitians, and a new combined PhD/RD degree that emphasizes translational research train students to apply evidence-based methods to nutrition and health, food policy, and other key areas. Also inside: Intypes, a long-running project to develop a lexicon for the discipline and practice of interior design; college economists study the scope of government in enforcing rules and providing services; and the Dean's Fellowship in Home Economics, offering two decades of research on the history of women's education and domestic science.
Keeping Teens on Track: Vol. 40, No. 2. Human Development professors examine the many challenges kids and teens face growing up in an increasingly complex society, where the right approach can make the difference between thriving or failing as adults. Fiber science and apparel design faculty members teach fashion with eyes on the global garment-making network and the diverse cultural influences driving modern styles. Demographers, nutrition experts, economists, and developmental psychologists study the challenges facing working mothers. Students report on summer research projects and internships from around the globe. Also: A look at the college's commitment to diversity under Cornell's "Toward New Destinations" approach.
Fortifying 4-H with Research: Vol. 40, No. 1. Scientists in the Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research are studying every facet of 4-H, the largest youth development organization program in New York, to maximize its positive impact on youth. Nutrition experts are remaking statewide nutrition education programs to help low-income families eat better and save money. Also: Policy Analysis and Management faculty examine education economics and policy; Design and Environmental Analysis courses offer design interventions for community partners.
New Building & Innovative Spaces: Vol. 39, No. 2, Fall 2011. Faculty and students fully engage in their work in the new Human Ecology Building, where multidisciplinary collaborations, interactive teaching, and student-led activities thrive. Fiber science and design advance in the high-tech facility. 'Living-Learning Lab' lets DEA students create the Human Ecology Commons Area. Scientist develops revolutionary plant-based composites. New Bronfenbrenner Center links research and policy. Also: Cornell Cooperative Extension celebrates 100 years, Iscol Program marks 10 years, and new faculty provides diverse expertise.
Weill Medical Research Connections: Vol. 39, No. 1, Spring 2011. Cross-college partnerships lead to medical patents and scientific progress. Human Ecology's social science expertise pairs with Weill's clinical research to drive the development of biomaterials for human body repair, public health education efforts addressing obesity in NYC, and a nutrition program improving maternal and child health at Cornell's GHESKIO clinic in Haiti. Also: PAM Faculty head new institute on health policy and FSAD students develop clothes to trap poisonous gases.
The Ecology of Aging: Vol. 38, No. 2, December 2010. Human Ecology applies a multidisciplinary approach to investigate myriad issues facing the aging population. Students and faculty study: the impact of the built environment on older adults, the psychological and neurological effects of aging with a focus on dementia, and the economics of Social Security, Medicare, and support programs. Also: custom-designed apparel, devices, furnishings created to enhance lives of seniors, new gerontology minor introduced, students reach out to local seniors.
Translational Research: Vol. 38, No. 1, May 2010. Human Ecology uses translational research to move research findings into creative applications that advance and improve the human experience. Faculty help thousands of NYC seniors cope with chronic pain, a nurse-family partnership encourages healthier living for low-income mothers, obesity prevention assists rural upstate counties, and youth development programs develop in Latin American communities. Also: Bronfenbrenner Conference investigates ways to translate research into policy and practice, featured blogs on research and mental health.
Overcoming Poverty: Vol. 37, No. 2, November 2009. Human Ecology sustains a range of programs that examine and address the ecology of poverty. Professor Burkhauser researches numerous aspects of U.S. poverty policy- from income inequality to welfare reform. Faculty use surveys to understand economics and environments perpetuating poverty in Africa and developing nations. Nutrition educators help low-income families in NYC, and graduate students tackle food systems. Also: studies find mental health problems contribute to food insecurity, and childhood poverty leads to brain impairments.
Outreach and Impact, June '09: Vol. 37, No. 1, June 2009. Outreach and extension programs in the College of Human Ecology make a major difference in the lives of New Yorkers. Workshops on financial management, energy efficiency, and food budgeting are helping thousands of families to make the most of each paycheck. Senior citizens are being mobilized as environmental stewards - helping themselves and their communities. Also featured: helping teens with sexual health and novel workplace interventions to boost exercise and fight obesity.
Multidisciplinary Research: Vol. 36, No. 2, October 2008. Human Ecology works within a context of distinct disciplines to discover where its missions intersect and to achieve a meaningful impact on the world. Professor Chu works with Cornell researchers to develop artificial body tissues. Faculty evaluate complex organizations to help them address societal issues. Student interns study challenges like breast cancer and textile recycling facing central NY. Also: experts lead symposium on AIDS in Africa, researchers find investment in nutrition programs lowers health care costs.
Outreach and Impact, May '08: Vol. 36, No. 1, May 2008. Human Ecology continues its founding goal of applying the principles of art, psychology, and economics to better human life. New LEAD curriculum creates improved living conditions for older adults. Another program seeks to reduce childhood obesity and educate about healthy lifestyles. CURxED Program guides seniors through Medicare procedures. Biodegradable composites used to create eco-friendly skateboards and job opportunities. Also: economist analyzes national transportation, researchers use Bandura Model to generate public knowledge.
Health and Public Policy: Vol. 35, No. 2, November 2007. Human Ecology shapes dialogue, understanding, and practice in multiple fields to advance human health. Ergonomic expert looks at workstations to prevent repetitive motion injuries. Researchers find the power of advertising to encourage smokers to quit. Fiber scientists engineer clothing to protect high action personnel. Spaces designed for dementia patients and visitors to enhance communication. Also: the diet needed for a healthy planet, medical research deliverance, study of health care reform.
Outreach and Impact, May '07: Vol. 35, No. 1, May 2007. Human Ecology's science and scholarship, as well as its relationships with the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) and community partners, enable it to improve lives. Effort built to solve global health problems. Materials provided to help Army families cope with stress. CCE educators design programs to fight NY obesity trend. Also: experts test mold and mildew remediation after floods, professor analyzes Medicare drug plans for seniors, science curriculum developed for minority youth.
Technology and Innovation: Vol. 34, No 2, November 2006. Human Ecology embraces technology for research, instruction, and outreach. Textile researchers develop nanofibers that act as biological sensors. Study uses digital assistants to reconfigure health care spaces. Professor utilizes new Human Metabolic Research Unit to study the human body's use of minerals. DEA outreach programs look toward healthy, energy-efficient homes. Also: how physicians adopt new medical procedures, the use of MRI machines to study human learning, the building of a behavioral-neuroscience faculty.
Leading Toward a Better World: Vol. 34, No. 1, May 2006. Human Ecology focuses on fostering and promoting leadership. Initiative teaches students how to build teams, trust others, and take risks. Urban Semester program immerses students in NYC's diversity. Sloan cultivates leaders in the health care industry. Family Life Development Center mentors marines to prevent sexist behavior against women. Also: graduate students given freedom to take the lead, featured alumni that became leaders in their fields.
Ecology of Obesity: Vol. 33, No. 3, December 2005. Reports from a Human Ecology conference on obesity shapes plan for making the epidemic a problem of the past. Modification of home, workplace, school, and community environments could improve our health choices. The economics of obesity is studied, including its costs, causes, and controls. Researchers view obesity from a life course perspective. Strategies formed for reducing youthful obesity. Also: obesity shows socioeconomic and ethnic disparities, Cornell website aids community practitioners.
Shaping Policy Development: Vol. 33, No. 2, August 2005. Human Ecology emphasizes putting research, design, and learned methods into action at the governmental and community levels. Professor shapes judicial policy on the testimony of children. Students become facility strategists in simulations with real companies. New body scanner makes positive changes to apparel for consumers and workers. Project analyzes pharmaceutical and tobacco advertising. Cornell Cooperative Extension team enhances Treasury's financial literacy. Also: new policies that could benefit the poor and hungry.
Impact of Human Ecology Research: Vol. 33, No. 1, April 2005. Human Ecology research seeks to inform its teaching and its outreach, as well as develop innovative methods to protect the interests and fulfill the needs of people everywhere. Faculty member explains the process of turning scholarship into policy. Fiber scientist electrospins renewable materials as a green alternative for textiles. Nutritionist maps food-choice strategies to make healthy behavior easier. Also: the 2003-2004 Annual Report.
Healthy People, Families, Communities: Vol. 32, No. 3, March 2005. Human Ecology forms uniquely combines disciplines with the mission to help build healthy families and communities. Professor explains how design is a tool for leadership and social change. Iron is found to play major role in nutrition. Archive provides scholars with data on child abuse. Professor studies effects of health insurance regulation. Also: students prepared to work with troubled children, study on adult attachment, the problem of elder abuse.
Youth Development: Vol. 32, No. 2, October 2004. Human Ecology departments, the Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the Family Life Development Center work to better the well-being of children. Youth prepare food to learn about nutrition knowledge firsthand. Professor designs the Child Care Programs of Excellence. Children's relationship to their physical environment studied. Human Development faculty dissect the process of youth reasoning. Parent-child communication found as tool for youth health. Also: 4-H development, Textile and Apparel outreach, youth development resources.