Media Highlight Otazu’s Biomedical Research

Feb 14, 2023

As seen in InnovateLI, MedicalXpress, Neuroscience News, The Island360, Spectrum, and multiple other news sites, research by NYITCOM Assistant Professor Gonzalo Otazu, Ph.D., could help to explain how the sense of smell is impacted in individuals with autism. The study, which leverages cutting-edge techniques like intrinsic optical imaging and machine learning, analyzes a mouse model of autism and reports differences in the neurological processes responsible for smell.

“These findings illustrate why more studies related to the sensory aspect of autism are so important,” Otazu said in InnovateLI. “By documenting the neural processes in the mouse model of autism, our findings may help to explain the brain circuitry of humans with autism and one day lead to advancements that improve these individuals’ quality of life.”

 

Newsday Features Alzheimer’s Researcher

Feb 12, 2023

A Newsday story featuring research projects underway at several Long Island colleges highlights the College of Arts and Sciences’ Jole Fiorito, Ph.D., and her work to discover new ways to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

The article reports that Fiorito, using organic chemistry, is designing and synthesizing a new organic molecule to target two enzymes that affect brain neuron function; if she can get results using that one molecule, she may be able to develop a treatment with a single drug. She has already designed molecules to test in research with her students.  “Once they are ready we test them on cells, enzymes, even animals, to see if the molecules are able to affect the cell,” she said. “Of course, this is a very preliminary study … the molecule is a starting point for developing a drug.”

 

Kinfemichael Quoted in Lifewire

Feb 10, 2023

Bisrat Kinfemichael, Ph.D., assistant professor of accounting and finance, was quoted in the Lifewire story “Old Gadgets Can Be Worth Big Money—Here's Why You Should Hang on to Yours.” Kinfemichael explains how the tried and true laws of supply and demand are driving up the price of older technology, including first-generation iPhones, which have recently sold for as much as $50,000.

“According to the laws of supply and demand, the fact that obsolete gadgets are so difficult to find suggests that the supply is extremely limited. Even if only two bidders are interested in purchasing the gadget, a bidding war may ensue, causing the price to increase dramatically. The availability of online marketplaces, such as eBay, has made it easier to find such buyers," he says.

 

Psychology Researcher Featured on The Academic Minute

Feb 10, 2023

Assistant Professor of Behavioral Sciences Melissa Huey, Ph.D., was featured on The Academic Minute, a daily segment on Northeast Public Radio featuring research that contributes to serving the public good. The segment, which was also promoted to readers of Inside Higher Ed, highlights her research on the psychological impact of smartphones in the college classroom. Huey and a colleague from California State University conducted a six-week experiment to see how students’ mindfulness, anxiety, and course comprehension were affected when smartphones were removed vs. when they were physically present in the classroom. At the end of the six weeks, students self-reported scores on course comprehension, mindfulness, and anxiety levels.

“Students who handed in their smartphones reported much higher comprehension and mindfulness scores. In addition, they reported lower levels of anxiety,” says Huey. “However, the opposite was true for those who kept their phones. These students reported lower comprehension and mindfulness scores and higher anxiety levels. Our findings show that educators need to make informed decisions about technology in the classroom.”

 

Media Report Balentine’s Appointment to Provost

Feb 10, 2023

Long Island Business News, Newsday, InnovateLI, and The Island 360 have all covered the news that Jerry Balentine, D.O., has been appointed provost, in addition to his role as executive vice president. “Since he assumed the role of interim provost nearly a year ago, Dr. Balentine has proven to be an effective, resourceful, and collaborative academic leader, dedicated to students, faculty, and staff, as well as to New York Tech’s strategic vision,” President Foley said in The Island 360 article.

Long Island Press and Inside Higher Ed also covered the news of Balentine’s appointment.

 

Media Outlets Publicize NIH-Funded Research

Feb 05, 2023

Newsday, InnovateLI, and The Island 360 have published the news of a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant secured by NYITCOM’s Jerry Zhao, Ph.D., assistant professor of biomedical sciences. His research will analyze how the sugar molecule heparan sulfate impacts brain function, with findings potentially leading to new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and autism spectrum disorder, all of which have been linked to heparan sulfate abnormalities.

 

Agreement with National Supermarket Association Garners Coverage

Jan 31, 2023

New York Tech’s agreement with the National Supermarket Association (NSA) to offer access to education to NSA’s 200 members, representing 400 supermarkets and 20,000 employees, is covered in Long Island Business News and The Island 360. “As we work to develop new channels and opportunities to provide access to education, New York Tech is committed to actively engaging with employers such as NSA to create pathways for traditional and nontraditional students seeking a college education,” Jerry Balentine, D.O., provost and executive vice president, is quoted as saying in both articles.  

Additional coverage appears in InnovateLI, Progressive Grocer, and Supermarket News. 

 

Nizich Shares Cybersecurity Expertise in Newsday

Jan 27, 2023

Michael Nizich, Ph.D., director of the ETIC and adjunct associate professor of computer science, lent his cybersecurity expertise to Newsday’s ongoing coverage of the Suffolk County ransomware attack. The article discusses whether Suffolk County would have benefitted from paying the $2.5 million ransom demanded by the hackers. Nizich advises that he generally opposes the notion of paying cyber ransoms and that organizations that do pay tend to be those without a business plan to address these situations. “I do not recommend it, but I also know there are situations where you have no other choice,” he said.

 

Exercise Science Expert Featured in Men's Health

Jan 25, 2023

Alex Rothstein, M.S., instructor for the Exercise Science program, is quoted in a Men’s Health article about the impact of nitric oxide on fitness performance. He explains that nitric oxide, a gas naturally produced in the body, is known to increase blood flow. Given this, its building block, the essential amino acid L-arginine, is commonly found in pre-workout supplements. 

“Nitric oxide is a gas and free radical that’s recognized to play a role in several physiological systems. It’s synthesized from L-arginine, and this is why many supplements that suggest an increase in nitric oxide use L-arginine,” says Rothstein. However, among other points, he also notes that while nitric oxide is essential for vasodilation, research doesn’t necessarily support the claim that L-arginine supplements produce more nitric oxide than normal dietary intake and exercise.

 

Media Cover New York Tech’s Newest VP

Jan 23, 2023

Newsday, InnovateLI, and The Island 360 have all covered the news that Donald Booth has joined New York Tech as vice president, capital planning and facilities. He had been an assistant vice president at Northwell Health, where he was responsible for all central region capital projects. “Don’s technical acumen, collaborative spirit, collegiality, and communication skills will be enormous assets to New York Tech as we embark on exciting capital projects in the years ahead,” President Hank Foley said in The Island 360 coverage.