16 Ways ��ý Research is Helping New Yorkers

Improving the lives of autistic and neurodivergent individuals

Approximately and the number of diagnosed cases is growing, including in New York. The Institute for Childhood Development () is driven to improve the lives of autistic and neurodivergent children, teens and adults. Faculty and students at the ICD conduct research on autistic and neurodivergent individuals, providing better diagnoses and better services and programs for people in the region.

Keeping your drinking water safe

Our water is undoubtedly one of our most precious resources, and are working to ensure it’s safe and healthy for New Yorkers. Faculty and students are studying the impacts of “forever chemicals” (found in everyday items like water-repellent clothing and cookware) and microplastics in our water systems. One big project is looking at the combined effects of these pollutants in the Mohawk River, a major supplier of drinking water for upstate New York.

Charging up New York’s battery economy

��ý already has a major economic impact on the local economy, and it’s poised to drive further economic growth in the state through , an initiative to build a battery hub right here in ��ý that coordinates activities across Upstate New York. Kickstarted by Distinguished Professor of Chemistry M. Stanley Whittingham’s Nobel Prize win in 2019 for his work in developing the lithium-ion battery, NENY has since secured major federal funding, been designated a and launched Battery-NY, a one-of-a-kind battery prototyping facility in nearby Johnson City. Additional efforts in support of R&D and workforce development are spearheaded by the . Fueled by the work of ��ý researchers, these initiatives are poised to boost our energy ecosystem and New York’s economy.

Helping people find their voice

From people who stutter to those living with aphasia (the loss of speech due to brain injury), there are many individuals in our area with speech and language-related issues. Researchers at ��ý’s Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic are using their expertise to assist children, adolescents and adults with communication and swallowing disorders, offering not just treatment but an improved quality of life and a path toward independence.

Restoring wildflowers and reviving ecosystems

Changing weather conditions, invasive species and a host of other factors have a major impact on our environment, and researchers at ��ý’s new Natural Global Environmental Change Center (NATCHANGE) are at the forefront of meeting these challenges head-on. For example, ��ý faculty and students are working with the New York State Parks Department to restore native wildflowers in the Nature Preserve on campus and introduce them to other forests in Ithaca and Chenango Valley, helping to strengthen the biodiversity in New York’s forests.

Helping local kids breathe easier

Asthma is the leading chronic disease among children, and researchers at ��ý are on a mission to help local children with asthma. Nursing faculty members Rosa Darling and Judith Quaranta actually developed national asthma guidelines for schools, and they’re taking that expertise and applying it locally, assessing undiagnosed cases of asthma or uncontrolled asthma in local children with the goal to provide educational sessions to kids in need.

Delivering care to rural New Yorkers

Accessing proper healthcare can be challenging for those in rural communities due to factors like limited transportation and a shortage of healthcare professionals. Through the O’Connor Office of Rural Health Studies at Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, faculty researchers are helping to identify healthcare needs in rural areas and design nursing strategies to meet the needs of these underserved populations through mobile clinics and simulation-based training.

Boosting early literacy

Early reading plays a key role in a child’s development, and speech pathologists at ��ý are working to boost literacy in the local area, starting right at preschool. For example, researchers have worked with local school districts on a , using adaptive storybooks, to enrich language and literacy skills for students of all ability levels.

Improving food access where it’s needed most

– and researchers at ��ý are doing what they can to help improve access to quality food in the region. Students and faculty teamed up with the and are collecting and analyzing data to develop a food access plan for people in the community, addressing barriers to access like income and transportation issues.

Helping people move with confidence

Mobility issues affect people of all age groups, and researchers at the Motion Analysis Research Laboratory are using their expertise – and cutting-edge technology – to help identify mobility issues resulting from injury, aging and disease for people in the region. At the 1,600-square-foot MARL, faculty perform detailed evaluations of how people move, using technology like a 12-camera motion analysis system and a computerized posturography system with virtual reality environments. Collaborating with local organizations like the Broome County Office for Aging, MARL is helping people in our area stay active, prevent falls and maintain their independence.

Partnering with healthcare organizations to improve outcomes in the region

Through partnerships with local healthcare organizations, ��ý researchers are working to improve health outcomes for people in the Southern Tier and beyond. ��ý and United Health Services have partnered to bring a $2.6 million state-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner that allows researchers at the ��ý Brain and Body Imaging Research Center to conduct advanced imaging research and clinical trials within the community. Meanwhile, a research collaboration agreement with The Guthrie Clinic will streamline research projects undertaken by both organizations, with the goal of greater innovation and improved health outcomes for people in our community.

Transforming schools, one community at a time

Ensuring that every student has the opportunity and support they need to succeed is paramount, and community schools can play a crucial role in making that happen. The ��ý Center for Community Schools (BUCS) partners with local school districts to foster an environment where parents and families, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, can feel connected and have the support they need to thrive. The Reimagining Schools Research Lab, composed of students, research associates and faculty, engages in research to advance the Community Schools model and improve the connection between families and schools.

Helping New York win the chip race

��ý isn’t just a leader in battery technology; we’re also helping to lead the charge for semiconductor manufacturing in New York. Semiconductors play a crucial role in powering modern technology – everything from smartphones to defense systems. ��ý researchers are collaborating with industry and other academic partners on a new $285 million institute focused on the use of digital twins to improve domestic semiconductor design and manufacturing, with the goal to establish New York as a leader in chips production.

Engaging the public in research

Researchers at ��ý are actively engaged in making the community part of research and instilling a love for research. The Public Archaeology Facility, a research center founded at ��ý in 1972, runs the Community Archaeology Program, which provides opportunities for members of the public – from kids to adults – to work side by side with researchers on exciting new projects. The University hosts numerous other public outreach programs, such as the Go Green Institute, which brings together middle- and high school students for hands-on learning centered on the theme of a greener environment.

Making New York a leader in ethical AI

AI is rapidly transforming society, and ��ý researchers are at the forefront of that revolution. With funding from New York, ��ý has created a new Institute for AI and Society. Here, ��ý faculty are conducting important research related to AI – touching on topics ranging from antisemitism to climate change. With this support and focus on the effects of AI, ��ý is poised to make New York a leader in responsible artificial intelligence.

Battling the spread of Lyme disease

Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases are a major concern in New York, as 95% of cases occur in the Northeast and the upper Midwest. With tick populations surging and spreading, researchers at ��ý’s Tick-borne Disease Center are working to address the issue, collecting and screening ticks, and assessing patients to identify diseases in order to optimize the treatment and management of tick-borne diseases.

And more!

This is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of ��ý’s research impact on New York state. From contributing to the clean energy workforce to optimizing patient flow in local hospitals, ��ý research is poised to meet the ever-changing needs and challenges of New York State. Visit our Research page for more information.

������ý