OHIO's September 2026 Newsmakers

Four faculty members were recognized by Ohio University as September 2026 Faculty Newsmakers. Learn more about their media mentions below:

Jennifer Lisy

Assistant Professor of Instruction, Early Childhood and Elementary Education at Ohio University Zanesville

Lisy was featured in Spectrum News 1 and other outlets discussing the growing role of artificial intelligence in everyday life and education. Lisy, an expert in the intersection of education and technology and an AI Faculty Fellow, shared insights on how AI is increasingly being used by students, educators and families, emphasizing the importance of developing critical AI and digital literacy skills as the technology becomes more prevalent. Lisy was also recognized in coverage for receiving Ohio University’s 2026 Regional Higher Education Outstanding Instructional Faculty Award, honoring her commitment to teaching, instructional innovation and preparing future educators to navigate emerging technologies.

News Stories

Natalie Kruse Daniels

Professor of Environmental Studies and Director of the Environmental Studies Program in the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service

Kruse Daniels was featured in the Ohio Newsroom and several other outlets discussing the increasing threat of flash flooding across Central Appalachia and Ohio, particularly how seemingly small, shallow streams can quickly become dangerous during periods of intense rainfall. Kruse Daniels explained that the peaceful appearance of small waterways can be deceiving, noting that a stream that is only ankle-deep under normal conditions can quickly rise enough to flood roads and nearby businesses.

News Stories

Glenn Matlack

Professor of Environmental and Plant Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences

Matlack was featured in Ideastream Public Media and several other outlets discussing the environmental impacts of proposed oil and gas development in Ohio’s Wayne National Forest and the forest’s long history of disturbance from logging, mining and farming. Matlack, an ecologist, explained that forests are complex ecosystems that can take generations to fully recover, noting that the limited presence of native forest herbs in some areas provides evidence of the lasting effects of past deforestation. He also highlighted the broader environmental functions of forests, including their role in filtering air and producing moisture that helps cool the surrounding environment.

News Stories

Alexander Govorov

Distinguished Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences

Govorov was featured in Phys.org discussing new research that could improve the detection of chiral molecules, or molecules with distinct left- and right-handed forms, which can behave differently in biological systems and pharmaceuticals. Govorov explained how his research team’s new nonlinear optical approach uses specially engineered plasmonic structures to amplify weak signals, allowing scientists to detect molecular chirality at extremely low concentrations. The technology could ultimately support faster and more sensitive methods for pharmaceutical development and quality control, biomedical analysis, environmental monitoring and other applications where identifying molecular handedness is important.