OHIO’s 2025 Newsmakers wrapped: A look back on faculty in the media in 2025

In a year marked by technological change, innovations and discovery in science and renewed curiosity about both our past and our future, Ohio University faculty emerged as essential voices helping audiences make sense of the world around them. Throughout 2025, OHIO faculty provided their expertise on breaking news, amplified groundbreaking research and aided in public understanding, elevating the University and their work in the process.

Not only were there transformational headlines in 2025, but the way in which OHIO highlights our faculty newsmakers also transformed. With a renewed focus on storytelling, accessibility and timeliness, OHIO changed how faculty expertise was shared, spotlighting different voices more frequently, across a broader range of topics and with greater emphasis on real-world relevance.

Research into the past
Some of 2025’s most captivating stories focused on discovery, with several faculty members being mentioned in the media for their research on the past. Sabrina Curran helped reshape understanding of early human history after her team uncovered cut-marked bones in Romania dating back nearly two million years, evidence that pushed back the timeline of human ancestors in Europe and sparked global attention. Research from paleontologists Patrick O’Connor and Lawrence Witmer shed new light on the evolution of birds and ancient flying reptiles, offering fresh insight into how flight, brain development and behavior evolved over millions of years.

How climate is shaping today
In 2025, faculty were also looking at the present, providing context on current headlines. Environmental security expert Geoff Dabelko examined Greenland’s growing geopolitical importance in a warming world, while Thomas Smucker explained how climate change and extreme weather are reshaping Ohio’s agricultural landscape.

Health and well-being
Throughout the year, OHIO faculty also played a vital role in conversations about health, well-being and equity. Chunmin Lo shared research on obesity treatment, while Devora Shapiro brought national attention to the phenomenon of medical gaslighting, validating patient experiences and encouraging stronger advocacy in healthcare settings.

Headlines regarding healthcare access also lended itself to having experts like Sharon Casapulla and Cory Cronin provide insight on complex policy discussions, from healthcare deserts to proposed Medicaid cuts. Mental health, particularly among young people, also remained a focal point with Christine Bhat commenting on how parents and educators can understand the risks and realities of social media use.

Conversations around AI
Artificial intelligence was a main topic of conversation in 2025 and OHIO faculty were continually commenting and highlighting on the impacts. Rishabh Das, Paul Shovlin and Josh Antonuccio explored AI’s expanding role, from privacy concerns and ethical questions to its influence on education and the arts, while Jared DeForest explained how AI could be thoughtfully applied and enhance learning when guided by expertise rather than novelty.

Breaking news
One of the shifts of Faculty Newsmakers in 2025 was an increased emphasis on timeliness, elevating faculty expertise in trending topics happening currently. From Melissa Anderson’s analysis of concussions and CTE following high-profile sports incidents to Chad Mourning’s explanation of strain on the nation’s air traffic control system, OHIO faculty helped contextualize the news as it unfolded.

Even in popular culture and sports, experts like Jim Strode examined how sports-betting scandals affect public trust, while Ian Klein reached millions online by making anatomy education accessible, engaging and relatable far beyond the classroom.

Looking Ahead to 2026
As Faculty Newsmakers looks toward 2026, the momentum continues. The approach piloted in 2025 will remain central to how Ohio University elevates faculty expertise, with a goal to ensure that when important conversations are happening, OHIO faculty are part of them and so that work faculty are doing is being recognized and amplified.

Faculty Newsmakers reflects the collective effort of faculty across the University who generously shared their time, expertise and perspectives with journalists throughout the year. Ohio University extends its sincere appreciation to every faculty member who contributed to media coverage in 2025, whether offering quick context on breaking news or deep insight on long-term research and issues.

"By sharing their time and expertise with the media, faculty amplify the impact of our institution, help bridge the gap between academia and the public, and demonstrate the vital importance of higher education in navigating today’s world," said Provost Donald Leo.

As the initiative moves into 2026, OHIO looks forward to recognizing and elevating even more faculty voices, continuing to broaden representation across disciplines and ensuring that the University’s expertise remains visible, accessible and impactful across the media and public.

Your 2025 Faculty Newsmakers include:

• Geoff Dabelko – Voinovich School for Leadership and Public Service
• Sabrina Curran – College of Arts and Sciences
• Patrick O’Connor – Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Daniel Karney – College of Arts and Sciences
• Sharon Casapulla – Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Chunmin Lo – Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Roberto Duncan – College of Arts and Sciences
• Sam Crowl – Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service
• Sarah Wyatt – College of Arts and Sciences
• Rishbah Das – Scripps College of Communication
• Paul Shovlin – College of Arts and Sciences
• Devora Shapiro – Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Cleveland campus
• Josh Antonuccio – Scripps College of Communication
• Ian Klein – College of Arts and Sciences
• Jared DeForest – College of Arts and Sciences
• Jaqueline Yahn – Patton College of Education, Eastern campus
• Daejun “Aaron” Park – College of Health Sciences and Professions
• Melissa Anderson – College of Business
• Thomas Smucker – College of Arts and Sciences
• Cory Cronin – College of Health Sciences and Professions
• Mario Grijalva – Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Gaurav Bansal – College of Business
• Christine Bhat – Patton College of Education
• Chad Mourning – Russ College of Engineering and Technology
• Berkeley Franz – Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Jennifer Grant Weinandy – College of Arts and Sciences
• Lawrence Witmer – Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Jim Strode – College of Business
• Rebecca Dingus – College of Business
• Jacob Hiler – College of Business
• Laeeq Khan – Scripps College of Communication

The full list of 2025 Faculty newsmakers, including links to some of their media mentions and expertise can be found at https://www.ohio.edu/faculty-newsmakers.