College of Human Ecology at Cornell

College of Human Ecology at Cornell Cornell Human Ecology champions human health in every dimension, at every scale

The essential mission of the College of Human Ecology is to improve lives by understanding and impacting the multilayered influences on human health and well-being. From the food we eat; the clothing we wear; the buildings we inhabit; the families, neighborhoods, and communities in which we exist; and the policies that affect our lives, these layers of influence are shaped by humans, and they shap

e us, in complex ways. Our academic majors are firmly grounded in the social, natural & physical sciences, and design to create dynamic, interdisciplinary fields of study. This allows our students to explore their interests in a broader context and to understand and analyze issues from multiple perspectives. UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS:
Design and Environmental Analysis
Fiber Science
Fashion Design Management
Human Biology, Health, and Society
Human Development
Nutritional Sciences
Global and Public Health Sciences

What happens when research spaces are designed to bring scientists together? Newly renovated research labs in Kinzelberg...
09/03/2026

What happens when research spaces are designed to bring scientists together? Newly renovated research labs in Kinzelberg Hall are creating more opportunities for collaboration across the Division of Nutritional Sciences (DNS)

With more than 12,000 square feet of renovated space, researchers have greater access to specialized equipment, flexible lab spaces and shared resources, including dedicated cell culture facilities, designed to bring faculty, graduate students and other researchers together.

For Tolunay Beker Aydemir, associate professor of molecular nutrition, the new infrastructure can also expand the kinds of scientific questions researchers pursue.

“We have access to multiple devices that we wouldn’t have as individual groups,” Aydemir said. “It allows us to diversify our research and think more about how interdisciplinary work could be done, which is very important for us, especially in nutrition.”

The impact is also evident in the everyday interactions happening across the renovated labs. Ph.D. candidate Savita Sastry says having researchers with different areas of expertise working nearby has made it easier to troubleshoot problems, exchange knowledge and build connections beyond her own lab.

The renovated spaces reflect a broader vision for the future of collaborative research, said Sander Kersten, director of the Division of Nutritional Sciences and the Schleifer Family Professor.

“You’re an expert in one thing. Somebody else is an expert in something else, and then you work together,” Kersten said. “That has been the success story of science, and it will also be in the future.”

DNS is shared by Cornell Human Ecology and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University.

Read more about the renovated spaces and the researchers using them: https://human.cornell.edu/news-profiles/new-spaces-shared-science-kinzelberg-hall

Photo Credit: Galib Braschler/Provided

Could taking high doses of folic acid increase toxic formaldehyde in the body? New Cornell research offers reassuring ev...
09/02/2026

Could taking high doses of folic acid increase toxic formaldehyde in the body? New Cornell research offers reassuring evidence that it does not.

A study led by Meng Wang, assistant professor in the Division of Nutritional Sciences, which is shared between Cornell Human Ecology and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University, found that while a bioactive form of folate can generate formaldehyde and DNA damage in cell culture, researchers found no evidence of increased formaldehyde or DNA damage in mice or human cancer patients receiving high doses of folic acid.

“Our study provides reassurance, particularly for patients who need higher levels of folic acid supplementation, that formaldehyde is not increased as a toxic side effect,” Wang said.

The finding has important implications because folic acid, the synthetic form of vitamin B9, is widely added to breads and cereals and recommended or prescribed during pregnancy, for certain blood disorders and for some cancer patients.

Published in EMBO Molecular Medicine, the study was conducted in partnership with Cayuga Cancer Center and included human blood samples from local cancer patients receiving high-dose folic acid supplementation.

Chris Mellor, a postdoctoral researcher in Wang’s lab, is first author. Other co-authors include Wang; Martha Field, associate professor in DNS; Anthony Mato of Cayuga Cancer Center at Cayuga Health, A Member of Centralus Health; John Blenis of Weill Cornell Medicine; and Guillermo Burgos-Barragan, an instructor in Blenis’ lab.

Read more at https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/08/folic-acid-does-not-elevate-formaldehyde-mice-and-humans

PRYDE Scholars kicked off the semester with a visit to the Great New York State Fair, where they got a firsthand look at...
09/01/2026

PRYDE Scholars kicked off the semester with a visit to the Great New York State Fair, where they got a firsthand look at how 4-H helps young people across the state learn, create and grow. 🍀🎯

Scholars from the Program for Research on Youth Development and Engagement (PRYDE) explored projects created by 4-H youth, learned more about the skills and experiences they gain through the program and even got some hands-on instruction at the 4-H archery activity.

“At the fair, I noticed that the 4-H youth crafted creative projects based on how they see the natural world and you could truly see how 4-H allows youth to express themselves freely, thus creating such creative and informative art pieces. Very talented bunch!” said Janier James ’27.

Diya Singhal ’28 was surprised by the breadth of the experience for young people.

“I was really struck by the incredible range of projects 4-H youth take on, but even more so by how much they learn beyond the technical skills - from problem-solving and communication to confidence, responsibility, and independence.”

For PRYDE director Kristen Elmore, the annual visit gives scholars an opportunity to see youth development in action.

“In our trip to the Fair, PRYDE scholars see what 4-H programming really means for youth. We imagine what youth learn about themselves as they master the art of baking or raise a chicken from the moment it hatches,” she said. “This year scholars got hands on instruction from one of the 4-H program leaders at the Archery activity, and a couple students discovered a hidden talent!”

Photo Credit: Marilu Lopez-Fretts

How might expectations about women, motherhood and emotion shape the way jurors interpret evidence in a high-profile mur...
09/01/2026

How might expectations about women, motherhood and emotion shape the way jurors interpret evidence in a high-profile murder trial?

Jessica Salerno, associate professor of psychology in Cornell Human Ecology and an expert on jury decision-making, spoke with the Boston Globe about how gender stereotypes could influence jurors deliberating in the Lindsay Clancy trial.

“Lindsay Clancy’s status as both a woman and a mother could cut both ways with jurors,” Salerno said. She explained that expectations of mothers as nurturing and protective could lead jurors to judge Clancy more harshly and view the deaths of her three children as intentional or premeditated. But those same expectations could also affect how jurors consider her insanity defense.

“Jurors may have difficulty imagining a mother killing her children unless she was severely mentally ill,” Salerno said.

Salerno also discussed how perceptions of emotion can influence judgments in the courtroom. People may be suspicious when someone doesn’t display the emotion they expect following a traumatic event, she said, while those who already distrust someone may interpret visible emotion as “fake and manipulative.”

“What emotion to express in court is a very fine needle to thread,” Salerno said, “and often dictated by gender.”

Read more about the trial and Salerno’s insights into how gender and emotion can shape jury decision-making: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/08/28/metro/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates/?event=event12

The first week of classes is in the books! ❤️🐻From hands-on learning in labs and studios to studying, reconnecting with ...
08/28/2026

The first week of classes is in the books! ❤️🐻

From hands-on learning in labs and studios to studying, reconnecting with friends and enjoying the last days of summer on campus, Cornell Human Ecology is once again full of activity.

Wishing our students, faculty and staff a great semester ahead!

Photo Credit: Galib Braschler

🔬From the lab to real life: Research Matters is back for a second season.Cornell’s video podcast series returns with 18 ...
08/28/2026

🔬From the lab to real life: Research Matters is back for a second season.

Cornell’s video podcast series returns with 18 episodes exploring how research can help us understand some of the questions and challenges that shape our everyday lives, from procrastination and health care to climate change, technology and an aging population.

This season will feature Jenna Wells, assistant professor of human development in Cornell Human Ecology, alongside Adriana Reyes, assistant professor in the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, for a conversation examining eldercare and who will provide care for a rapidly aging population.

New episodes of Research Matters will be released every Tuesday at noon throughout the semester on the Cornell Chronicle and wherever podcasts are found, with video episodes available on YouTube.

Learn more about the upcoming season and follow along: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/08/research-matters-returns-following-ideas-lab-real-life

Photo Credit: Jason Koski

How can research make a difference in people’s lives? 🔎Students explored that question at yesterday’s Translational Rese...
08/27/2026

How can research make a difference in people’s lives? 🔎

Students explored that question at yesterday’s Translational Research Minor Open House, hosted by the Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research (BCTR). Over pizza, students met with peers, faculty and advisors to learn about courses, field experiences and opportunities to put research into practice.

Open to students in any major and any Cornell college, the Translational Research Minor builds skills for using research to inform interventions, practices and policies, while bringing knowledge from communities and practice settings back into the research process.

From STEM and medicine to public health, social sciences, law and public policy, the minor prepares students to turn research into social impact.

Learn more about the Translational Research Minor at https://human.cornell.edu/degrees/translational-research-minor

Photo Credit: Galib Braschler

08/27/2026

♻️ What if today’s waste could become tomorrow’s technology?

This summer, fiber Science students Emi Collins ’29, Madeline Capriotti ’29 and Hieu Le ’29 gained hands-on research experience in the Uyar Lab in the College of Human Ecology at Cornell: exploring how cotton waste, grape pomace and nylon can be transformed into sustainable materials and technologies.

Along the way, they’re building new skills, learning through experimentation and finding support from Cornell’s research community. 🔬

A new academic year brings new opportunities to explore what comes next!At today’s Human Ecology Career Development Open...
08/26/2026

A new academic year brings new opportunities to explore what comes next!

At today’s Human Ecology Career Development Open House, students connected with peer career assistants, staff advisors and Christine Waby, the inaugural Director of Human Ecology Career Development, while discovering resources to support their academic and professional journeys.

Students also learned about the newly launched Cornell Career Network and opportunities coming this fall, from professional development workshops and networking events to experiential learning opportunities, including a career trek to New York City.

Whether students are beginning to explore their interests or preparing for their next professional step, Human Ecology Career Development is here to help them make connections and turn possibilities into plans.

Photo Credit: Galib Braschler

What can happen when basketball becomes a starting point for something bigger? 🏀Through CHE in NYC, Cornell Human Ecolog...
08/26/2026

What can happen when basketball becomes a starting point for something bigger? 🏀

Through CHE in NYC, Cornell Human Ecology’s experiential learning program connecting students with organizations across New York City, Namitha Reddy ’28 and Matthew Van ’28 spent the summer interning with New Heights Youth, supporting a four-week Summer Academy combining basketball, academics, health and wellness, leadership and other programming for 115 middle school student-athletes.

They helped establish a restorative justice program, developed health and nutrition programming, connected families with community resources and supported students throughout the academy.

For Namitha, some of the most meaningful moments came while caring for minor injuries courtside and spending time with students who weren’t participating in the game. “During this time many kids would come to me and we would talk, color or even play catch,” she said.

Those experiences taught her what she called “the power of patience and empathy.”

“Everyone has their own stories and being a supportive face for these kids comes with being patient and understanding where they are coming from,” she said.

For Matthew, who didn’t grow up playing basketball, seeing the sport connect students with health, nutrition, leadership and future careers gave him “a new appreciation for how sports can serve as a platform for academics, health and wellbeing, and overall growth.”

The experience also influenced how Matthew, who hopes to become a physician, thinks about caring for others.

“Through observing student-athletes on the court, caring for their injuries, and teaching them in the classroom, I learned that caring for New Heights youth involved caring for their physical needs as athletes and understanding the academic, social, and developmental needs as students,” he said.

By summer’s end, Namitha and Matthew had gained a broader understanding of how supporting young people means caring for many dimensions of their well-being, and how a basketball court can become a space for connection, learning, leadership and growth.

Learn more about CHE in NYC at https://human.cornell.edu/che-nyc

📸: JJ Ignotz Photography

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