High temperatures and humidity couldn鈥檛 dampen the enthusiasm of workers from across Central New York, including members of the University community, who gathered at Onondaga Lake Parkway on June 9 for the annual Syracuse WorkForce Run.

Due to the heat, organizers adjusted the format from a 5K run to a 2-mile walk. The event raised funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central New York.

网爆门 turned out in force with 340 participants鈥攖he second-highest total among all competing companies and organizations. Otto the Orange was on hand to rally the Orange team members.

Each June, the in the Office of Human Resources sponsors the University鈥檚 participation in the WorkForce Run as part of its mission to empower employees to live balanced, healthy lives.

鈥淲e were thrilled to have record numbers of 网爆门 employees celebrating health, teamwork and Orange pride,鈥� says Alex Dietrich, interim chief human resources officer. 鈥淭he WorkForce Run embodies what we believe at the University鈥攖hat focusing on well-being is essential to who we are as an institution. When our employees thrive, our entire university community benefits.鈥�

For many, the WorkForce Run is an annual tradition. Jon French, associate teaching professor and undergraduate director of chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences, has participated since 2018, when the event was known as the JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge. He keeps coming back for the sense of community it creates.

鈥淚t鈥檚 fun to get out with friends and colleagues in a different setting鈥攖o see people off campus, outside of a conference room or a Zoom meeting,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou connect with others who maybe you didn鈥檛 realize also had an interest in running. It鈥檚 also great that it鈥檚 open to all ability levels.鈥�

The event also drew first-timers, including Elisha Glover, a custodian with Facilities Services who had signed up three years in a row but was finally able to participate this year.

鈥淚 was determined to get it done this year,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 found the event because I鈥檓 always trying to stay healthy and informed, so I often sign up for things through the Wellness Initiative. My motto: if you fail, keep on trying!鈥�

The FIFA World Cup comes to North America for the first time since 1994, with the U.S., Canada and Mexico hosting the 2026 competition. From the economics of global sport to the politics of international competition, faculty experts can offer perspectives across multiple disciplines. All experts are available for print, broadcast and digital interviews.

For media assistance and interview coordination, contact听Keith Kobland via email at kkobland@syr.edu or by calling 315.415.8095.

Sport Economics and Analytics

Rodney Paul | rpaul01@syr.edu

is director of the sports analytics program and a professor in the Department of Sport Management in the David B. Falk College of Sport.

Paul is a sports economist with more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and extensive experience consulting for professional leagues and teams. He has been featured on NPR, Forbes and in CFO Magazine on topics ranging from TV rights deals to franchise finances.

Paul can discuss the economics of hosting, including revenue projections, infrastructure costs and whether host cities recoup their investments. He can also explore ticket pricing, broadcast rights and the financial windfall for FIFA and its sponsor brands. Paul is also available to discuss how increased U.S. viewership and a home tournament could accelerate the growth of MLS and professional soccer investment in North America.

Football, Film and African Culture

Vlad Dima | vdima@syr.edu

is a professor of African American studies in the College of Arts and Sciences. Dima is the author of “The Beautiful Skin: Football, Fantasy and Cinematic Bodies in Africa” (Michigan State University Press), a landmark examination of soccer’s cultural meaning across the African continent. His research spans francophone cinema, cultural studies and the politics of sport as spectacle. He was recently interviewed by the Los Angeles Times on soccer’s growing popularity in the United States.

Dima can discuss the importance of soccer as a cultural identity and what the tournament means for African nations and diaspora communities; how media representations of African and Global South players shape narratives of race and nationhood; and the tournament as soft power鈥攈ow countries use the World Cup stage to project national identity on a global screen.

Geopolitics and International Security

Corri Zoli 触听cbzoli@syr.edu

is an associate teaching professor of political science and a senior research scholar in global affairs and international security in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs | College of Arts and Sciences (A&S). Zoli is a scholar of international security, global conflict and the intersection of law and cross-cultural dynamics. Based in the Forensic and National Security Sciences Institute, Zoli’s interdisciplinary work addresses how international institutions navigate political tensions, a lens directly applicable to a tournament that brings together nations with competing global interests.

Zoli can speak about the World Cup as a geopolitical arena; how FIFA navigates relations with sanctioned states, contested territories and authoritarian hosts; what goes into security planning and counterterrorism logistics for a multi-city, multination tournament on U.S. soil; the diplomatic stakes when rival nations meet on the pitch; and what sport reveals about the limits of soft power.

The team returned from the Formula SAE Michigan competition having outperformed every car the program has produced in the last 20 years鈥攁 milestone that marks a turning point for one of the University鈥檚 oldest engineering clubs.

The team鈥檚 entry, designated CR5, was the first car Citrus Racing designed entirely from scratch in six years. For the first time in 20 years, the team completed every dynamic event on the Formula SAE schedule. The CR5 car also cleared technical inspection before noon on the second day鈥攁 benchmark rarely achieved by any team in the field.

鈥淐itrus Racing represents trust in the importance of self-guided learning,” says outgoing team leader Ryan Brennan 鈥�26. “The result is that Citrus Racing alumni are growing not simply into engineers that can turn a wrench, but they are also learning how to work with each other across dynamic business, media, technical and social domains out of real need to operate well or suffer as an organization. We appreciate the help we received from across the . Without that help, Citrus Racing would not be nearly as strong as it is today.鈥�

Citrus Racing is student run with faculty and staff advisors available for consultation. That model gives students opportunity take risks and learn from failures.

Brennan said the experience has shaped members into more than capable engineers. 鈥淥ur members take full responsibility for every problem that lands at their feet鈥攂ecause they have to,鈥� he says. 鈥淐itrus Racing is not just a club, it is an ECS sports team that transcends the years.鈥�

New Leadership Named for 2026鈥�27 Season

Nico O鈥橬eill, a Ph.D. student in physics in the , will serve as the club鈥檚 president in the coming year. O鈥橬eill has been managing much of the team鈥檚 back-end operations and was recognized for that work with the formal appointment.

Additional lead positions will be published on the once all appointments are finalized.

What Comes Next

Design work for the next Citrus Racing car is scheduled to begin by June 1, 2027. Incoming leadership will establish high-level improvement goals and set deadlines over the summer, following the same development calendar used in 2025. The team has committed to continuing development of internal combustion vehicles for the near term, while advancing electric vehicle research in parallel. Those interested in getting involved can reach the team鈥檚 leadership at formsae@syr.edu.

More Photos From Michigan

As the United States prepares to mark its 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026, journalists covering the Semiquincentennial will find no shortage of angles鈥攆rom celebration and patriotism to polarization, history and the legacies still unresolved. 网爆门 has a deep bench of scholars ready to help reporters tell the full story.

Below is a reference guide to several听网爆门听faculty experts听and thought leaders听available on topics ranging from national identity to the democratic blueprint drawn by this land’s first听peoples.

For media听assistance听and interview coordination, contact听media@syr.edu.

How Has America Celebrated Its Birthday Before鈥攁nd What Does Our Constitution Really Mean?

Carol Faulkner 触听cfaulkne@syr.edu

is a professor of history in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

A specialist in 19th-century American history, constitutional history and social reform movements, Faulkner can offer a deep historical lens on how the United States has marked its major anniversaries鈥攆rom the Centennial in 1876 to the Bicentennial in 1976鈥攁nd what those celebrations reveal about the nation’s evolving sense of itself.

She can also speak to what the Constitution means as a living document and how its interpretation has shifted over time. Faulkner recently helped develop a free public course at the Maxwell School in conjunction with the 250th commemoration.

Can a Divided Nation Still Celebrate Together?

Shana Kushner Gadarian 触听sgadaria@maxwell.syr.edu

is a professor and chair of political science in the Maxwell School.

A leading expert on American politics, political psychology and public opinion, Gadarian has spent much of her career studying how fear, polarization and partisanship shape the way Americans engage with shared institutions and national events.

As the country marks 250 years, she can address whether a deeply divided electorate can still find common ground in national celebration鈥攁nd what the politics of patriotism look like in this moment.

The State of American Democracy at 250

Grant Reeher 触听gpreeher@maxwell.syr.edu

is a professor of political science in the Maxwell School and a longtime observer of American political culture.

He can speak broadly to the health of U.S. democracy at this milestone, examining how the nation’s founding ideals are faring amid contemporary political pressures, what citizens expect from their government and how the meaning of democratic participation has evolved over 250 years.

Reeher is also a veteran media commentator on electoral politics and civic life.

The Blueprint America Forgot: Indigenous Roots of U.S. Democracy

Scott Stevens 触听scsteven@syr.edu

is an associate professor and director of the Center for Global Indigenous Cultures and Environmental Justice in the College of Arts and Sciences, with expertise in Indigenous literature, history and cultural studies.

As the nation celebrates its 250th birthday, Stevens can speak to the often-overlooked story of how the democratic traditions and governance structures of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy鈥攁mong other First Peoples鈥攑rovided a foundational blueprint for the framers of the U.S. Constitution.

His work challenges and enriches conventional narratives about American democracy’s origins.

Nostalgia, Media and the Moments That Unite Us

Robert Thompson 触听rthompso@syr.edu听

is founding director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture and a Trustee Professor of Television and Popular Culture in the .

Dubbed a “pop culture ambassador” by the Associated Press, Thompson has been a go-to voice for hundreds of media outlets on how Americans process shared national experiences through television, film and popular media. For the 250th anniversary, he can speak to how the media will cover鈥攁nd shape鈥攖he celebration, as well as the role nostalgia plays in national identity and whether big national moments still have the power to bring a fragmented country together.听

Former 网爆门 men鈥檚 soccer standout was on his way home from a recent training session when he received the message that would change his life.

As his phone dinged, Robinson saw a WhatsApp message from Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the (USMNT), containing a video message announcing that Robinson had earned a spot on the .

鈥淚 was so excited. I rushed home and called my family. It was a special moment for sure!鈥� Robinson says in an exclusive interview coordinated by the USMNT.

Robinson,听a defender for the Orange during the , will become the first Orange alumnus to play for the USMNT at the World Cup, which kicks off Thursday. The U.S. will play Paraguay at 9 p.m. Friday in the team鈥檚 opening match in Inglewood, California.

鈥淸This] feels great. Obviously, it’s been an honor to be here in this group, but it’s just a dream come true,鈥� says Robinson, a native of Arlington, Massachusetts, who plays for in Major League Soccer (MLS). 鈥淚t’s a surreal moment to be here to represent the country, represent the nation in the world’s biggest tournament. I’m definitely honored.鈥�

Sweet Redemption Following Devastating Injury

The satisfaction of making the U.S. roster is even sweeter when Robinson thinks back to where he was four years ago, watching the 2022 World Cup as a fan instead of suiting up for the U.S. Robinson, who was widely considered to be one of the team鈥檚 top prospects heading into the Qatar World Cup, was sidelined with a ruptured Achilles tendon in his left leg.

The hard work and long days rehabbing from the leg injury were all worth it when Robinson found out he made the national team roster.

鈥淚’m so thankful for my support group, my friends, my family and my loved ones that motivated me and got me in this position,鈥� Robinson says. 鈥淭hankfully, I got back from that injury and was able to continue to compete with the national team and here I am.鈥�

Lifelong Lessons Learned at Syracuse

Robinson started all 42 games during his Orange career as a key contributor on head coach ‘s squad that won the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championship and made its first College Cup appearance during the 2015 season. Robinson scored eight goals and added one assist during his two seasons and was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2016.

鈥淭o represent Syracuse means a lot because I have so much love for the University,鈥� Robinson says. 鈥淚 love being a part of Orange Nation and everything Syracuse [represents]. I was there for three great semesters and have so many memories, so many people that I met that are now lifelong friends.鈥�

One of the people who made the biggest impression on Robinson during his time on campus was McIntyre, who like Robinson was a center back during his playing days. Robinson credits McIntyre with teaching lessons that extended well beyond soccer.

鈥淢ac taught me a lot about what it means to work hard, to compete and to stay focused. To be vocal and be comfortable with being uncomfortable as a center back trying to push forward and lead a group of guys,鈥� Robinson says. 鈥淗e challenged me, but that challenge helped me be ready for the MLS once I was drafted. He taught me a lot on and off the field, so I’m forever grateful.鈥�

After leaving Syracuse to pursue his professional soccer dreams, Robinson was selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 MLS Super Draft by Atlanta United. Robinson signed a contract with FC Cincinnati in 2024 and has been a regular presence for the USMNT, representing the U.S. at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris and appearing in 40 matches since his national debut in 2019.

Among his international competition highlights was scoring the in extra time to lift the U.S. past Mexico in the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup final.

At the World Cup, Robinson will be joined by Tajon Buchanan, who is representing Team Canada. Buchanan played for the Orange in 2017 and 2018, scoring 12 goals with six assists during his two seasons.

While most rising seniors are thinking about what lies ahead, Kenna Cummings 鈥�27 is thinking about what lies beneath鈥攖he ice sheet in Greenland and a supervolcano in New Zealand, to be specific. Cummings, a geology major in the 听(A&S) has been named a 2026-27 Astronaut Scholar by the (ASF).

Founded by the Mercury 7 astronauts, the foundation awards scholarships to students in their junior or senior year who are pursuing a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) degree with intentions to pursue research or advance their field upon completion of their degrees. Astronaut Scholars are among the best and brightest minds in STEM who show initiative, creativity and excellence in their chosen field.

The Astronaut Scholarship provides funding of up to $15,000 toward educational expenses, a paid trip to the ASF Innovators Week and Gala in Houston in August and lifelong mentoring and engagement opportunities with astronauts, Astronaut Scholar alumni, industry leaders and the ASF.

Tapping the Planet鈥檚 Hidden Heat

Cummings, who was also named a Goldwater Scholar earlier this year, is currently wrapping up her semester of research in the Taup艒 Volcanic Zone (TVZ) on New Zealand鈥檚 North Island. There, she utilizes microscopy and geochemistry to study the subsurface magma system that both feeds eruptions and heats deep geothermal fluids.

鈥淭he TVZ is an incredible example of how active geothermal systems can be used for energy production as well as numerous direct uses, such as timber drying and greenhouse heating,鈥� she says.

Cummings considers herself lucky to be able to undertake research at points around the world, such as Iceland and NewZealand, where some of the most innovative developments in geothermal energy are happening. She has studied the Greenland ice sheet remotely through the lab of , assistant professor of seismology in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences.

In Greenland, Cummings studies what a system like the one in New Zealand looks like long after its heat source has moved on. Using seismology鈥攎apping how seismic waves travel through the earth鈥攕he traces the path that ancient hotspot took and measures how much heat remains below the ice sheet.

鈥淔rom this research, I鈥檝e learned about the range of settings that can have heightened geothermal gradients without dramatic volcanic activity,鈥� she says. 鈥淯nderstanding the many ways geothermal areas can be formed and studied will help me scale innovative solutions for settings across the U.S.鈥�

Bridging Academia and Industry

Cummings鈥� long-term goal is to run a research lab inside an industry geothermal company.

鈥淚 am very passionate about clear communication between academia and industry, since academic research is only made applicable through commercial viability,鈥� she says. 鈥淭o me, the line between academic research and commercial application is done right when both sectors are working to their strengths, supporting each other and building toward the same end goal that will have positive impacts on the public at large.鈥�

Cummings says that her selection as an Astronaut Scholar is an incredible honor that comes with life-changing financial support and academic and career opportunities.

鈥淭he Astronaut Scholarship Foundation has a robust alumni network that provides opportunities to learn about various fields of science and industry,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 plan to take advantage of mentorship opportunities within the ASF alumni network as well as present my research at the Innovator鈥檚 Symposium. I know this scholarship will open doors for me in both grad school and career applications. I am grateful for the numerous ways becoming an Astronaut Scholar has already begun to change the trajectory of my future research career.鈥�

Created in 1984, ASF awarded its first seven scholarships in honor of the Mercury 7 astronauts鈥擲cott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Virgil 鈥淕us鈥� Grissom, Walter Schirra, Alan Shepard and Deke Slayton. Seven students received $1,000 scholarships. Since its inception, the ASF has awarded more than $10 million to more than 950 college students.

As a university partner of the ASF, 网爆门 can nominate two students for the Astronaut Scholarship each year. Interested students should contact (CFSA) for information on the nomination process (cfsa@syr.edu; 315.443.2759). More information on the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation can be .

网爆门 is at the center of a regional effort to develop the energy storage workforce of the future, serving as a core partner in the and spearheading the workforce development portion of its mission through administration of the Generating Regional Opportunities in Workforce (GROW) program.

鈥溚� brings together research expertise, workforce development skills and community partnerships,鈥� says Vice President for Research . 鈥淭he Energy Storage Engine lets us put all of that to work for upstate New York by connecting the science happening in our labs to the jobs and training our region needs.鈥�

The Energy Storage Engine was launched in January 2024 as one of 10 inaugural Regional Innovation Engines created by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Its aim: to make upstate New York a national hub for battery technology by bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs and workforce trainers. Led by Binghamton University, the initiative recently entered phase 2 with a $45 million NSF grant.

Crucial Role

, director of strategic partnerships in the , co-coordinated workforce development during the engine’s first phase. 鈥淭he energy storage sector is going to generate thousands of jobs in upstate New York,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why workforce development is so important鈥攊t鈥檚 the bridge between the research happening in our labs and the economic impact we鈥檙e trying to create in our communities.鈥�

The GROW program was established in late 2024 with a $2 million subcontract from Binghamton University. Together with Rome, New York-based nonprofit , 网爆门 oversaw the competitive grant program, which seeded battery and energy storage workforce training at institutions and organizations across Central and Western New York and the Southern Tier. A diverse cohort received $1.1 million in GROW awards: YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County; SUNY Broome Community College; Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT); Binghamton University; Alfred University; GreenForce Training Inc.; the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at RIT; and 网爆门.

These institutions developed programs for a wide range of learners, from middle and high school pupils to college students to community members. Nearly 400 participants have benefited from GROW-funded programs鈥攁 number that will increase substantially in phase two.

鈥淭wo years ago, training for battery research and manufacturing was essentially fully concentrated in Binghamton at SUNY Broome,鈥� Crampton says. 鈥淲ith funding from the Engine, training was expanded to form a network of curriculum and programs across upstate. Hundreds of people have been exposed to opportunities in battery technology, many of whom would have never before considered it as a career path.鈥�

Breadth and Inclusion

SUNY Broome expanded a Power and Energy Management seminar series, hosted a residential STEM summer camp for middle and high school students, and trained career and technical education teachers across multiple BOCES districts. The YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County brought battery science to students in Rochester, Syracuse and Binghamton, including facility tours and hands-on LEGO robotics activities at the middle school level.

NTID developed a battery technician training program specifically designed for the American Sign Language community, offering a one-day workshop and an 80-hour bootcamp. Forty individuals completed training, with several earning the Northeast New York Battery Technician Credential. GreenForce Training in Buffalo delivered six accelerated production associate courses to individuals facing barriers to employment鈥攊ncluding single parents, refugees and returning citizens鈥攁chieving an 84% job placement rate.

At the higher education level, RIT developed an 18-hour Li-ion battery curriculum delivered as a three-day immersive workshop for Monroe Community College students. Binghamton University created a new Sustainable Energy Engineering track in its electrical engineering degree. Alfred University launched a credit-bearing course in machine learning prediction of battery lifetime, enrolling 33 students and hosting a summer session that included industry professionals from Raymond Corporation.

网爆门鈥檚 GROW-funded program brought clean energy and autonomous systems education to 28 high school students from the Syracuse City School District through a six-week summer workshop. All participants鈥攁pproximately half of whom had no prior coding experience鈥攃ompleted the program, and 27 traveled to Boston for a national competition. A majority reported increased interest in pursuing engineering or computer science majors.

Looking Ahead

With the engine now entering phase two, the workforce development pillar is set to scale significantly. The initiative is targeting a hub-and-spoke model anchored by four regional coalitions鈥攅ach led by a major research university鈥攖o coordinate enrollment growth, transfer agreements, experiential learning and employer engagement. Summer 2026 internship and undergraduate research cohorts are projected to double.

鈥淭he groundwork laid by the first GROW cohort has demonstrated that building a regional energy storage workforce is possible, and that it requires meeting learners where they are: in high school classrooms, community organizations and college labs across the region,鈥� Crampton says.

Inside every human cell, a tiny structure called a lysosome acts like a recycling center, breaking down toxic waste, clearing damaged proteins and helping keep the cell functioning properly.

When that recycling center stops working because the lysosome loses the acidic conditions it needs to function, the consequences ripple outward. Waste builds up, proteins accumulate and eventually the cell鈥檚 internal systems begin to break down. This type of dysfunction is commonly associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson鈥檚.

Newly published research from , assistant professor of biomedical and chemical engineering in the , suggests that nanoscopic particles delivered into the body could help restore the recycling function, and in doing so, slow disease progression at its cellular root.

Instead of just treating symptoms, Zeng鈥檚 novel approach uses acidic nanoparticles to restore lysosomal function and repair the cell鈥檚 built-in cleanup system. The results of her study, , demonstrate this strategy in both cell and animal models of Parkinson鈥檚 disease.

鈥淩ather than simply trying to block damage after it occurs, this approach aims to restore the cell鈥檚 own ability to clear toxic material and maintain homeostasis,鈥� Zeng says. 鈥淲e think this makes it especially promising, because it could be adapted to other diseases in which harmful proteins build up and the cell鈥檚 recycling system isn鈥檛 working properly.鈥�

The study, published in April, was carried out in collaboration with assistant professor and his lab in the 鈥� Department of Biology. , part of the , work closely together to better understand the underlying disease mechanisms for conditions including Alzheimer鈥檚, Parkinson鈥檚 and multiple sclerosis.

How the Research Works

Zeng focuses on developing tools to deliver therapies more precisely within the body. One such tool is nanoparticles鈥攖iny spherical structures formed from long, flexible polymer chains.

How small exactly is nanosized? Ten to the power of minus nine, tinier than a cell itself.

鈥淭hink of them like long, soft chains that tangle together and eventually form a tiny ball,” she says. “That’s what makes a nanoparticle. Because they’re so small, cells can take them in pretty easily.”

Zeng is applying this nanoparticle-based strategy across multiple disease areas, including metabolic disorders and Parkinson鈥檚 disease, with a focus on addressing dysfunction at the cellular level鈥攂oth to better understand early changes and to deliver more precise, effective treatments.

In Parkinson鈥檚, impaired lysosomal function and toxic protein buildup contribute to neuronal damage. Lysosomes require an acidic environment to function, similar to how stomach acid helps break down food. In disease, this acidity is reduced and the 鈥渞ecycling center鈥� function stops working, allowing waste to accumulate.

鈥淵ou can think of it like stomach acid鈥攈elping break things down,鈥� Zeng says. 鈥淟ysosomes need to stay very acidic to work properly. Our nanoparticles go into the cell, break apart, and release acid, which helps restore that environment. That鈥檚 how they get the lysosomes working again.鈥�

Her newly published study demonstrated how restoring the pH environment in lysosomes reduced toxic protein aggregation, a hallmark of Parkinson’s, in both cell and animal models, thereby protecting the brain cells responsible for movement that are progressively lost during the disease.

Zeng鈥檚 work also suggests that lysosomal dysfunction may be an early indicator of disease, observed across conditions ranging from Parkinson’s to metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes.

“When lysosomes start to lose function and you鈥檙e no longer able to clear unwanted material, it can signal that harmful processes are beginning to build up,” Zeng says. “It may serve as an early warning sign.”

For that reason, Zeng and Lo are also working to develop biomarkers that can detect changes in lysosomal pH at early stages.

What鈥檚 Next

The next step Zeng is taking with her nanoparticle research is tackling how to make them better at reaching the brain, where they鈥檙e needed.

The brain has a built-in security system called the blood-brain barrier, which helps protect the organ from harmful substances but also blocks most medicines from getting through. That means even good treatments may never reach the place they are needed to work.

To address this, Zeng is designing nanoparticles with features that can be recognized by receptors at the barrier, allowing more efficient transport into the brain.

“If you inject a drug, often less than 1% actually makes it into the brain,” Zeng says. “If we can improve how well it gets across the blood-brain barrier鈥攅ven by several fold鈥攊t could make treatments much more effective, or allow us to use much lower doses. That鈥檚 why this step is so important.”

Looking ahead, Zeng is working to further validate and refine this approach with an eye toward potential clinical translation.

鈥淭here are already a few FDA-approved nanoparticle-based drugs and vaccines, mainly in cancer and infectious diseases, but not yet for neurodegenerative conditions,鈥� she says. 鈥淎t this stage, we are focused on testing in mouse models and building the foundation for future studies in larger animal models.鈥�

She shares adjacent lab space with Lo, her close collaborator, and together they pursue interdisciplinary research to develop new tools and therapies for inflammatory, metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases.

Students interested in joining the lab are encouraged to reach out.

鈥淲e welcome inquiries from motivated students who are interested in our work,鈥� Zeng says.

More than 350 industry leaders, researchers, manufacturers, startups, investors and government partners gathered in Rochester last week for the , a two-day event showcasing the rapid growth of one of the nation鈥檚 fastest-expanding semiconductor ecosystems. 网爆门 played a central role, leading the summit鈥檚 Innovation Expo and connecting University research with the companies and entrepreneurs working to turn it into products and jobs.

The summit highlighted the scale of activity stretching across Syracuse, Buffalo, Rochester and Ithaca, making it clear that New York鈥檚 semiconductor ecosystem continues to grow stronger, with proliferating connections among research, manufacturing and workforce development.

Turning Research into Products

On day one, the Innovation Expo took center stage, featuring lightning talks from companies, universities and industry partners, including AIXTRON, Cornell University, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Rochester, 网爆门, the University at Buffalo, TOPTICA Photonics, TunaBotics, Nicslab, Era73 Technologies and others. Together they showcased emerging technologies, research breakthroughs and commercialization opportunities spanning photonics and integrated chip design, advanced materials and semiconductor devices, robotics and automation, testing and instrumentation, extended reality, and semiconductor manufacturing processes.

鈥淭he Innovation Expo provided a forum for scientists and engineers across academia, startups and established companies to learn about each other鈥檚 capabilities and needs and form partnerships for turning research into products and products into jobs,鈥� says , vice president for research and principal investigator for the NY SMART I-Corridor鈥檚 .

Connecting Suppliers With Growing Demand

Day two featured the Supply Chain Exchange, where exhibitor showcases, one-on-one matchmaking meetings and panel discussions helped connect regional suppliers with growing industry demand. Companies including GlobalFoundries, Edwards Vacuum and Universal Instruments discussed purchasing needs and met directly with potential suppliers from across the corridor.

For businesses looking to enter or expand within the industry, the opportunities are no longer theoretical. Companies are actively seeking partners to supply bulk chemicals and industrial gases, logistics and warehousing, machined parts, robotics and automation systems, electronic components, electrical systems and sensors and advanced materials and thermal management solutions.

Workforce and Momentum

As semiconductor investments continue across New York, employers, educators and workforce organizations are focused on building the talent pipeline needed to meet future demand. As the summit discussion turned toward practical solutions and partnerships, perhaps the biggest takeaway was the sense of momentum. Across the corridor, organizations are making investments, launching initiatives and finding new ways to support the industry鈥檚 growth.

鈥淭he conversations that took place throughout the summit reinforced the tremendous momentum building across the NY SMART I-Corridor,鈥� says Joe Stefko, president and CEO of OneROC and regional innovation officer for the NY SMART I-Corridor. 鈥淔rom supply chain development and workforce growth to research commercialization and international collaboration, the summit demonstrated how partners across sectors are working together to strengthen New York鈥檚 position in the global semiconductor industry.鈥�

About NY SMART I-Corridor

The is a coalition of more than 100 organizations spanning businesses, higher education institutions, economic development groups and community-based organizations, convened by the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, CenterState CEO and OneROC. Together, the coalition is positioning Upstate New York as a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, innovation and workforce development.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) , authorized by the , provides funding for regional technology development with matching support from the Empire State Development

The presents 鈥淛ohn Thompson 鈥�72: Infinite Variation鈥� at the Bernard and Louise Palitz Gallery in New York City through Sept. 29. Featuring works that span Thompson鈥檚 entire career, from his roots at 网爆门 to his most recent prints, the exhibition examines his distinct approach to nature and printmaking.

Traditional printmakers create custom matrices for each new print, whereas Thompson re-uses existing matrices as building blocks, recombining and reimagining them across compositions. It鈥檚 an approach rooted in the studio culture he encountered at Syracuse as a student, where, as he puts it, the message was 鈥渆xperiment, experiment, experiment.鈥�

The practice, which inspired the exhibition鈥檚 title, surfaces a sustained, close observation of nature. Notably, Thompson highlights the waving grasses, vertiginous stalks, and rippling ponds seen throughout the natural world, but specifically in the gardens鈥攊ncluding his own鈥攖hat he loves.

“To think about a world without gardens and flowers and art and music鈥攚hy bother?”鈥痵ays Thompson.鈥�”There’s an enduring quality in creating artwork … it provides hope for society.”

The exhibition holds a particular significance for the Art Museum, which presents the work of an alumnus on a New York City stage. 鈥淢any printmakers treat the matrix as a means to an end. John treats it as a collaborator,鈥� says curator Melissa Yuen. 鈥淓ach new composition is in dialogue with everything he has made before.鈥� Thompson received a B.F.A. from Syracuse’s in 1972 and the exhibition traces the arc of his career which began here and has since earned international recognition.

Thompson holds additional degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (M.A.), Babson College (MBA) and Massachusetts College of Art and Design (M.F.A.), where he has also taught.

He maintains studios in Waltham, Massachusetts, and Harpswell, Maine, and collaborates with master printers Peter and James Pettengill at Wingate Studio in Hinsdale, New Hampshire, and Susan Oehme at Oehme Graphics in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

His work is held in public collections, including Massachusetts General Hospital, Spaulding Rehabilitation Center and Mt. Auburn Hospital, and has been exhibited at Adelson Galleries, Childs Gallery and the Sunshine Museum in Beijing, among venues nationally and internationally.

Reflecting on the opportunity to share his work in New York, Thompson returned to a theme that has guided his practice: generosity. “A successful piece of art on the wall should be thought about the same way we do concerts and things,” he says. “It’s something to be shared amongst many, not to be hidden away.”

The 网爆门 Art Museum stewards a collection of more than 45,000 works spanning 4,000 years. Located in the Shaffer Art Building on the 网爆门 campus, the museum serves as a museum-laboratory for teaching, research and community engagement and provides free admission for all. The museum鈥檚 Bernard and Louise Palitz Gallery in New York City extends that mission to a wider audience. For more information and gallery hours, please visit .

Before the first match kicks off, a group of students has already run thousands of simulations to predict who will lift the FIFA World Cup Trophy.

The has published its , featuring game-by-game forecasts, heat maps and predictions for each group and for each nation.

President Evan Pegorsch 鈥�27, a sport analytics and economics major in the and data analyst for the Orange鈥檚 men鈥檚 soccer team, and Noah Bair 鈥�28, a sport analytics major, discuss their predictive model, who they think will win it all and the U.S. team’s chances of advancing out of their group and into the knockout stage.

What makes the model stand out?

Noah Bair: We wanted to study those contributing factors to team success at the World Cup鈥攔oster quality, previous World Cup experience, how teams have historically performed and whether a team has a veteran or a first-time coach鈥攖o think about our predictive model as sports fans rather than analysts. What important characteristics are missing, and how can we add to the research?

Evan Pegorsch: We鈥檙e providing the data to back up why we think a team is going to win or lose. We don鈥檛 just rely on FIFA rankings. We also factor in how many players each team has on the Ballon d鈥橭r rankings [a list of the top 30 players in the world], how each team performs playing in different temperatures, how long the coach has been with the team and other key indicators. If you just went off the FIFA world rankings, our model overperformed that baseline by 15%.

Who are the favorites to win the World Cup?

Pegorsch: The consensus favorite is Spain, but my number one is France. Their attack is overpowering, they have enough depth in other key areas, and the defense is looking good. Then it鈥檚 Spain. Then you must include Messi and Argentina, which has great team chemistry and a willingness to fight for each other. Then I鈥檇 go with England and Portugal, which has a talented midfield and a defense that鈥檚 on the rise.

Bair: France is my number one, based on what they鈥檝e done historically鈥攖hey won it all in 2018 and were runners-up in 2022. That historical dominance along with the quality of players is going to take them very far. Then it鈥檚 Argentina. Anytime Lionel Messi is on the field you have a chance to win. Then I like Portugal. The quality in their midfield is second to none. England having a new manager is going to help, and this is an invigorated team with a lot of young talent that can bring home the trophy. I鈥檓 also high on the Netherlands. They have a deep team and one of the best benches in the World Cup.

What will be the impact of an expanded field and multiple co-host nations?

Bair: For the first time, we have three co-host nations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and 48 participating teams, the largest field in World Cup history. This will create an unexpected challenge. Unlike during their domestic season when matches are centralized and you might be traveling 30-40 miles for matches, these teams will be traveling across countries and for far greater distances than they’re used to, which could definitely impact the matches.

Pegorsch: Travel fatigue is going to be a big factor in this tournament. Teams will have to adapt to added travel and shorter rest times between matches. And adding more teams decreases the likelihood of every single country winning it all in our model. The top teams have a smaller chance of winning it all than they have in the past, because there鈥檚 more potential for upsets and more variance.

How far does the model think the U.S. will advance?

Pegorsch: Our model gives them a 4% chance to win it all. Being on home soil helps. I worry about the goalkeeper, which is a huge area of weakness. When you get later into the World Cup rounds, the chances of dealing with either a penalty kick or penalty kick shootout increase, and I don鈥檛 trust our goalkeeping there. But there鈥檚 a lot of excitement around the U.S. and it鈥檚 realistic for them to reach the quarterfinals.

Bair: As tournament hosts, they鈥檝e been given a favorable draw and don鈥檛 have a great contender in their group. The U.S. is the favorite to win Group D [88.7% to advance] and make the knockout stage. The talent is there to make it to the quarterfinals, and the U.S. will get a boost playing in front of the home crowd. But realistically, I think the team will lose in the round of 16.

What鈥檚 a dark horse country with the talent to make a deep run?

Bair: Ecuador is an up-and-coming team with some quality players who have been on the rise since 2022. Because Ecuador doesn鈥檛 have that historic success on the national stage, the data will likely say they鈥檙e not going to go very far, but Ecuador has one of the best defenses in the world, and at the World Cup, defense can carry a team.

Pegorsch: The model is high on Norway. They have one of the best players in the world in Erling Haaland, and while Norway is 29th or 30th in the FIFA rankings [at the time the data was collected], we have them with the 11th best odds to win because they have strong attacking options.

Go back in time with this selection of historic images from the . The photos capture the evolution of the campus, student life and the community that has defined the University through the years.

To learn more about materials and photos in the University Archives, part of the in the , visit its .

Chancellor J. Michael Haynie today announced the appointment of Jeff Stoecker to senior vice president, chief of staff to the chancellor and chief communications and marketing officer. His appointment, effective July 1, was approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. Stoecker most recently served as senior vice president and chief communications officer.

In his expanded role, Stoecker will serve as the chancellor鈥檚 chief of staff, working at the center of the University’s executive leadership, while overseeing a unified Division of Communications and Marketing, bringing together two functions that are critical to Syracuse鈥檚 ability to tell its story effectively. It is a structure built for this moment in higher education.

“The chief of staff role requires someone with sound judgment, deep institutional knowledge and the kind of character that holds up under pressure. In more than six years at Syracuse, Jeff has demonstrated all of that,” says Chancellor Haynie. “Reuniting communications and marketing under a single, trusted leader is the right move for this University at this moment. Enrollment, fundraising, reputation鈥攖hese are not separate conversations. They require a coordinated voice and a clear strategy. Jeff is the right person to lead it.”

The reunification of the communications and marketing divisions reflects a deliberate effort to ensure those functions operate as a single, coordinated team in direct service of the University’s highest strategic priorities.

“I’ve spent my career at the intersection of storytelling and strategy, and I can’t think of a better place to put that to work than here,” says Stoecker. “Serving as chief of staff means making sure this University’s leadership is focused, aligned and moving in the same direction. Bringing communications and marketing together is a big part of how we do that, telling Syracuse’s story with one clear, focused voice. I’m excited about what this team is going to accomplish.”

Stoecker has been a central figure on 网爆门’s executive leadership team, guiding high-impact decisions on the institution’s communications operations and strategic vision. He played an especially instrumental role during the University’s recent leadership transition. In his unified role, he will lead a team of communications and marketing professionals across the institution, with a focus on elevating the University’s visibility, strengthening its brand and driving outcomes in enrollment and philanthropic support.

Stoecker succeeds Candace Campbell Jackson as chief of staff, a role she has served in for 11 years. Stoecker also assumes the marketing portfolio following the departure of Dara Royer, who served as the University’s chief marketing officer for nine years.

Stoecker brings to his expanded role a career spanning journalism, public relations and higher education communications. Before joining 网爆门, he served as vice president at FleishmanHillard, a global public relations and strategic marketing agency that specializes in brand marketing, corporate communication, crisis management and public affairs services. There he provided strategic counsel and media relations support to clients in the education, technology, healthcare and consumer sectors, including Harvard University, Babson College and Massachusetts General Hospital. His nearly 13 years as a broadcast journalist earned him two Emmy Awards, several AP Awards and a Peabody Award as part of the team recognized for coverage of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Stoecker grew up in Cazenovia, New York, and is a graduate of Le Moyne College.

The night Dan Zhang G鈥�11 arrived in the United States, she slept on the floor of her empty apartment, dreaming of a new life.

She had $500 to her name鈥攏o safety net, no family nearby and she spoke only conversational English. She had an acceptance letter from the , a paying job as a teaching assistant, and an unshakeable belief that she was exactly where she was supposed to be.

鈥淚 still remember that night when I was doing research on Maxwell,鈥� Zhang says. 鈥淚 told my dorm mate: 鈥極nly if I can get into Maxwell, I think I will be the luckiest person in the whole world.鈥欌��

She got in, and she completed a master鈥檚 degree. Today, Zhang鈥攖he chief financial officer of ClickUp, an AI productivity platform with more than 1,000 employees and clients ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies鈥攊s making sure the next generation of students has the support she once needed.

Zhang made a financial gift to the Maxwell School, jump-starting the which provides help to undergraduate and graduate students facing urgent needs including emergency travel, food, housing, visa issues and tuition.

The emergency fund relies on donor support, and Zhang is hoping fellow Maxwell alumni will join her in contributing to it. 鈥淓very gift, no matter the amount, can keep a student鈥檚 dream alive,鈥� she said.

From Beijing to Syracuse

Zhang grew up in China, earned an undergraduate degree in sociology in Beijing and worked briefly as a journalist before deciding she wanted more. She was drawn to questions about gender inequality, organizational structure and how societies work, and she believed graduate study in the U.S. was the path forward.

Zhang received a string of rejection letters before the Maxwell School saw in her the skills and qualities other institutions overlooked. 鈥淭hat was really life changing because at the time I felt stuck and I was ready to give up,鈥� she says, adding that the acceptance letter signaled, 鈥溾�榃e鈥檙e willing to take a chance on you鈥攁rms wide open.鈥欌��

The early days in the U.S. were challenging beyond the financial constraints.

鈥淚 came to this country like a blank canvas,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 had to figure out the culture, the values, the way everything works.鈥�

People made all the difference, she said. At Syracuse and Maxwell, she said she easily found mentors like professors , and who offered moral support at critical moments, put American culture into context with her studies and encouraged her critical analysis.

One professor, , knew exactly what Zhang was facing. Ma had walked a similar path a decade earlier, coming from Nanjing University to study sociology in the U.S. Zhang says Ma told her, 鈥溾�楾he right support at the right moment changes everything. My door is always open.鈥欌��

Across campus, staff helped Zhang navigate systems she didn鈥檛 yet understand. The patience, she says, was everything.

鈥淭he faith they put in you鈥攊t鈥檚 like, 鈥榊ou鈥檙e going to do great, and you just need a little help and a little nudge to get you on the ramp,鈥欌�� she says.

An Unconventional Path

With the encouragement of faculty, including math professor , Zhang pursued master鈥檚 degrees in sociology and applied statistics. The interdisciplinary combination raised eyebrows but proved transformative. While studying at Maxwell, she audited courses at the , chasing curiosity wherever it led.

鈥淢axwell encouraged students to branch out,鈥� she says. 鈥淓very advisor, every mentor embraced that belief鈥攖o develop full-brain students and future leaders.鈥�

After earning her degree in 2011, Zhang set out to build what she calls her own path. She joined Amazon as an entry-level financial analyst. Then she moved to an online travel company to study brand-building, then to Zynga, where she got her first taste of fast-paced Silicon Valley culture. Soon after came another opportunity, to join the 鈥渟oftware as a service鈥� (SaaS) industry.

Along the way, she earned another degree鈥攁 master of science in finance from the University of Illinois.

Then she did something that surprised even her colleagues: she left finance entirely.

Recognizing that she needed to understand the business from the inside out, Zhang spent three years in global sales strategy, traveling with top sales teams and learning how deals actually get made. It was unconventional for someone with her background, and exactly the kind of move she said Maxwell had trained her to make.

鈥淚’m not building my resume,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檓 building my own path.鈥�

Two students whose ventures focus on accessible design and student well-being have been awarded Spring 2026 Intelligence++ Venture Grants through 网爆门鈥檚 initiative, administered through .

The competitive funding program supports student innovators developing products, services and creative ventures that improve accessibility and quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities and neurodivergent communities.

This year鈥檚 recipients are Rudransh Rajput 鈥�28 () and Cassia Soodak 鈥�26 (). Both ventures emerged from the interdisciplinary Intelligence++ program, which combines accessible entrepreneurship, disability-centered design and innovation.

Rajput earned funding to advance development of RUDY AI, an AI-powered platform designed to help neurodivergent and socially vulnerable students build meaningful social connections and improve campus belonging.

A student in the and an 1870 Scholar, Rajput developed the idea after observing the growing problem of student isolation and disengagement on college campuses. The platform focuses on students who may struggle to navigate traditional social environments, including students with ADHD, autism, anxiety and related challenges.

鈥淭his grant means we can move from scrappy mode to building a prototype for discovery and validation,鈥� Rajput says. 鈥淲e know the problem is real because we鈥檝e seen it firsthand on campus. This gives us the runway to get in front of more universities, refine the product with real student feedback and prove that you can measurably move the needle on retention and loneliness at the same time.鈥�

Rajput will work closely with the Intelligence++ program and during the fall semester, focusing on user-centered product development and testing.

The second grant recipient, Soodak, is building a venture at the intersection of adaptive fashion, disability studies and nightlife culture. Her company, Ms. Spellled, creates sensory-friendly ravewear and club clothing designed specifically for neurodivergent individuals. The garments feature tactile and fidget-friendly elements intended to support sensory regulation while maintaining bold, expressive aesthetics.

Soodak, who previously served as an InclusiveU peer mentor and event planner, says the venture was inspired by her own experiences with ADHD, autism, dyslexia and sensory processing differences.

鈥淣eurodivergent people shape rave culture, yet remain largely invisible within it,鈥� Soodak says. 鈥淢s. Spellled aims to redefine adaptive design as expressive, culturally relevant and empowering.鈥�

The venture combines adaptive design with alternative fashion aesthetics through upcycled garments, tactile fabric manipulations, custom graphics and handmade pieces.

Soodak has already tested prototypes with neurodivergent users and models in both fashion-show and real-world rave settings, receiving strong feedback on both the sensory functionality and visual appeal of the designs. 鈥淲ith this funding, I will be able to transition Ms. Spellled from a thesis-based project into an actively developing fashion brand and business,鈥� Soodak says.

She plans to use the grant to produce an initial collection of sensory-friendly garments, expand prototype testing and launch the brand through pop-up events and independent retail partnerships in New York City.

Soodak is a graduate of the Intelligence++ program and previously won a top student prize at the annual Intelligence++ Innovation Showcase, where student inventions are evaluated by industry experts and educators. Her work has also earned recognition within the University鈥檚 fashion program, including selection for a New York City design showcase and the Joan Rysitzky Prize for Excellence in Surface Design.

Her senior thesis collection, 鈥淒anceFloor Freaks,鈥� explored Brooklyn techno clubs as safe spaces for neurodivergent and queer communities and became the creative foundation for Ms. Spellled. She has also participated in adaptive fashion networking events and developed relationships with organizations including Runway of Dreams and ARISE.