Experts Matter. Find Yours.

Nurse Leaders Danielle Weber and Michelle Collins Named Fellows in Nursing Innovation

Two ChristianaCare nurse leaders have been named fellows in the 2024-25 cohort of the prestigious Johnson & Johnson Nurse Innovation Fellowship Program. The fellows are Danielle Weber, MSN, MSM, RN-BC, NEA-BC, chief nurse executive, and Michelle Collins, DNP, APRN, CNS, ACNS-BC, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, LSSBB, vice president of Nursing Professional Excellence. These nurse innovators will work collaboratively to address a real-world challenge in ways that can be implemented at ChristianaCare. Weber, who also is chief nursing officer of Wilmington Hospital, leads ChristianaCare’s nursing staff in setting strategic imperatives, advises leadership on best practices in nursing, establishes nursing policies and procedures, oversees nursing education and research and creates a collaborative environment to ensure evidence-based care practices in both the acute care and home health settings. Collins leads ChristianaCare’s systemwide efforts to support nursing practice innovation, governance infrastructure and problem-solving, including a successful initiative in virtual acute care nursing. She also led ChristianaCare to achieve its third Magnet designation, the preeminent designation for excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. With a strong commitment to innovation in nursing, ChristianaCare is at the forefront of virtual acute care nursing. This entails experienced nurses practicing virtually in another location supporting hospital-based nurses by documenting health information, providing patient education, monitoring patient lab work, completing patient admission documentation and helping with discharge planning and care coordination. The fellowship, administered by Penn Nursing and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, is a one-year, team-based program for chief nursing officers, nurse executives and other senior nurse leaders that aims “to advance health care by powering up nurse-led innovation and leadership within health systems.”

How misinformation spreads online and shapes behavior

With the Internet as a font of information, particularly during a major crisis or conflict, a simple Google search can produce a stream of conjecture, conspiracy and alternative facts. Then there’s the firehose of “news” flooding social media feeds. By headlines alone, it’s near impossible to separate wheat from chaff. Coupled with that user frustration is a vulnerability to bad actors who push agendas under the guise of news. Indeed, on its worst days, the internet is a disinformation machine. Understanding that dynamic and its impact on our moods and behavior is NJIT’s Julie Ancis, a behavioral psychologist who’s a pioneer in the field of cyberpsychology. Her research examines how disinformation spreads and shapes how we act online and in person. As she explains on her blog for Psychology Today: “The speed and flow of information online has enabled information to be transferred on a mass global scale, galvanizing social movements such as the Arab Spring, Occupy Wall Street and #MeToo. In short, the ways in which we consume information and communicate with others both locally and globally have fundamentally changed.” To interview Ancis, click on the button below.

Exploring the Link Between Student Engagement and Deeper Learning

When students are engaged in their learning, they are more likely to dive deeper into the material. This is because they are actively participating in the process, asking questions, and seeking out answers. This is a concept that was recently explored by Amanda Jansen, a University of Delaware professor in the College of Education and Human Development.  With attention to teachers’ first-person narratives and reflections, her study offers educators a model for understanding student engagement so that they can better facilitate deeper learning in their classrooms. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), it was found that the majority of the teachers in Jansen’s study understood the primary function of student engagement to be deeper learning about a mathematics concept rather than classroom performance. These teachers talked more about engagement in terms of cognitive, affective and social processes, and they often spoke about more than one dimension. Jansen also emphasizes that how educators ask students to be engaged often reveals helpful information about educators’ instructional practices and their own assumptions. It can also send a message to students about their role in the learning process. These more engaged students are more likely to analyze and evaluate information, rather than just passively accepting it. This higher level of thinking leads to a deeper understanding of the material and allows students to apply their knowledge in real-world situations. To speak to Jansen about the study and its impact, click her "View Profile" button. 

Covering Earth Day - Our Experts can Help | Media Advisory

As we commemorate Earth Day, the urgency to address environmental challenges and foster sustainable practices has never been more critical. Earth Day serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to protect and preserve our planet for future generations. This event matters to the public because it highlights the interconnectedness of environmental issues with our daily lives and underscores the importance of taking action. Here are several sub-topics that could be of interest to a broad audience: Climate change mitigation efforts and their impact on local communities Innovative technologies and initiatives for renewable energy sources Conservation efforts to protect endangered species and habitats Sustainable practices in agriculture and food production The role of businesses and corporations in promoting environmental sustainability Government policies and regulations aimed at addressing environmental challenges Connect with an Expert about Earth Day: For journalists with questions or looking to cover the streaming wars, here is a select list of experts. Bryan W. Brooks, Ph.D. Distinguished Professor, Environmental Science and Biomedical Studies; Director of Environmental Health Science · Baylor University Jase Bernhardt Associate Professor of Geology, Environment, and Sustainability · Hofstra University Saleem Ali Professor of Energy and the Environment Geography and Spatial Sciences; Biden School of Public Policy and Administration · University of Delaware Francis Galgano, PhD Associate Professor, Geography and the Environment | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences · Villanova University To search our full list of experts visit www.expertfile.com Photo Credit:Fateme Alaie

Kelly Banas, Ph.D., To Present Her Latest Discovery at CRISPR Medicine’s First International Conference

Global audience in Copenhagen, Denmark, will learn of Gene Editing Institute research targeting the NRF2 gene in cancer cells Kelly Banas, Ph.D., principal investigator at ChristianaCare’s Gene Editing Institute, will present her latest research discovery related to targeting the NRF2 gene in cancer cells at the first CRISPR Medicine Conference held in Copenhagen, Denmark, April 22 to 25. The Gene Editing Institute’s research has focused on the NRF2 gene and the strong immune response it causes within cancer cells, allowing them to grow resistant to chemotherapy and leading cancer treatments to fail. By disrupting the NRF2 gene in cancer cells while allowing healthy cells to continue producing it, chemotherapy treatment becomes more effective. Gene Editing Institute principal investigators Kelly Banas, Ph.D., and Natalia Rivera-Torres, Ph.D., in the lab. Banas’ latest research delves into the mechanism of DNA repair following the removal of NRF2, ensuring that surrounding DNA in healthy cells is not affected and that the repair does not produce an unexpected outcome. “I’m extremely honored to be invited to this conference to highlight the work that all of our researchers at the Gene Editing Institute have put into this study,” Banas said. “The work we have done to characterize the impact of CRISPR on the NRF2 gene has changed how we approach new cancer targets. “This has influenced how we design experiments and analyze our data,” she said, “so it’s got a big impact on not just our work, but the work of anyone we collaborate with in the future. This community is full of phenomenal voices, and we’re committed to sharing our work in contexts like this to continue building a foundation of CRISPR research that will uplift treatment for some of the deadliest and most resilient cancers and diseases.” Read about Banas’ earlier research here.

Food is Medicine: ‘It’s Not Just About Food–It’s About Friendship

Kim Solomon’s kitchen showed all the signs of a good lunch in the making – chopped veggies on the counter, a few dirty dishes in the sink and two people laughing as they cooked. “Don’t worry, we’re going to clean all this up,” ChristianaCare community health worker Michelle Torres, BBA-HM, said as she sliced tilapia for the heart-healthy fish tacos she was making with Solomon. “I’m not worried about the mess, especially when it tastes this yummy,” Solomon said as she watched Torres place the raw fish – coated with panko crumbs, spices and an egg wash – into the air fryer. A few years earlier, Solomon’s lunch would have been something quick from the pantry after cooking for her sons or helping a neighbor. But after dealing with the life-threatening effects of high blood pressure, she is learning – with Torres’ help – how to prioritize her own nutrition and health. Solomon is one of more than 225 patients enrolled in the Delaware Food Farmacy, a ChristianaCare partnership with Lutheran Community Services that provides weekly deliveries of locally sourced produce, meat and other foods, along with one-on-one support from a community health worker. Delaware Food Farmacy participants report lower A1C blood glucose levels, healthier blood pressure readings and reduced body mass index. Dishing out good health “It took me getting very sick to finally make my own health a priority in my life, and that’s a humbling experience,” said Solomon, who lives in Bear, Delaware. “This is not just about food – it is about friendship, and Michelle’s support really gives me motivation. It keeps me excited to hear her voice and know that she’s there for me.” Kim Solomon (left) finds prioritizing her own nutrition and health can be delicious, as she prepares panko-crusted tilapia for fish tacos with community health worker Michelle Torres. ChristianaCare is expanding efforts to reduce food insecurity among patients in an ongoing commitment to ending disparities and in recognition that access to nutritious food is critical to overall health. In addition to the Delaware Food Farmacy, over 100 Maryland Primary Care Program (MDPCP) patients are participating in Healthy Food, Healthy Hearts, a 12-week program that delivers fresh groceries to under-resourced Medicare patients with complex health needs. “Our focus is empowering people to maintain their health by giving them the resources they need for whole-person care, including healthy food and education related to meal preparation and living with a chronic health condition,” said Erin Booker, LPC, chief biopsychosocial officer for ChristianaCare. “Through our work with our community partners in the Food Farmacy program in Delaware and our Healthy Food, Healthy Hearts program in Maryland, we are acknowledging the intersection of nutrition and health care and the importance of creating a more equitable food system.” Food is Medicine Both programs operate on the Food Is Medicine model, which recognizes that nutritious foods are essential for good health – and they must be accessible in the community, particularly in under-resourced areas. Studies have shown that evidence-based, tailored food interventions can lead to improved health outcomes and better use of health care services among participants while also reducing food insecurity, said Michelle Axe, MS, CHES, program manager of Food and Social Care Initiatives for ChristianaCare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated in 2023 that food insecurity results in nearly $77 billion in excess health care spending. Veggie power: Much of the food in the Food Farmacy is sourced locally through a cooperative agreement with Delaware’s Department of Agriculture and the Farm-to-Community Program, which connects local farms with organizations distributing food to the community. Among Food Farmacy graduates, 26% report a decrease in food insecurity and 18% said they experience less anxiety. “With these programs, we’re offering participants an opportunity to make a change in their life, not only for them as individuals, but for the entire family,” Axe said. “This is about more than food.” From farm to table Getting health care professionals to prescribe healthier food options – and then making it possible for the patients to obtain them – helps close the gap between medical nutrition and financial health, said Rob Gurnee, executive director of Lutheran Community Services. “Providing food – that’s our core competency,” Gurnee said. “What really makes this program different and incredibly valuable is that ChristianaCare can funnel the right people into the program and then maintain these relationships to help patients make changes that are sustainable. Together, we utilize the strengths of our organizations with the goal of improving health outcomes.” Each week, Delaware Food Farmacy participants select from a menu of fresh produce, lean meats and fish, whole grains, low-fat dairy, snacks and other healthy items, all of which fall under the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. Fresh-picked: With Delaware Food Farmacy, patients are getting local produce that is typically picked within 24 to 48 hours. Much of the food distributed through Delaware Food Farmacy is sourced locally through a cooperative agreement with Delaware’s Department of Agriculture and the Farm-to-Community Program, which connects local farms with organizations distributing food to the community. Solomon’s refrigerator is filled with local produce, eggs and lean meats from the Food Farmacy program, but it’s Torres who keeps Solomon on the path to good health with her encouraging personality and a tasty supply of easy-to-make recipes. A recipe for healthy eating: Air Fryer Fish Tacos. Kim Solomon’s review? “Yummy.” “She’s there to support you and help you understand it’s going to be OK,” Solomon said. “She goes above and beyond every time. We need more Michelles in our world.”

NASA selects University of Delaware’s CubeSat spacecraft for upcoming mission

It’s safe to say that not many students expect to lead a NASA-supported mission during their undergraduate studies. But at least a dozen from the University of Delaware will have done that by the time they collect their diplomas in the next few years. All are part of a team creating Delaware’s first orbital spacecraft, which was selected by NASA for launch in 2026 as part of its CubeSat Launch Initiative. The NASA program, which started in 2011, aims to give students an opportunity to be part of real missions and gain extraordinary experience in what it takes to do space research. CubeSats are small, modular, inexpensive satellites that carry experiments for science investigations and/or technology demonstrations. About 160 CubeSats have been launched in the NASA program over the years, many deployed from the International Space Station (ISS). Delaware’s mission — the Delaware Atmospheric Plasma Probe Experiment (DAPPEr) — will launch its CubeSat spacecraft from the ISS and orbit independently through Earth’s upper atmosphere. The CubeSat will be about the size of a loaf of bread, according to the team’s faculty mentor, Bennett Maruca, associate professor of physics and astronomy. It will gather data about the density and temperature of electrons in Earth’s upper atmosphere, recording changes observed at different latitudes and times of day. This data will inform future research on how the sun affects conditions there. Understanding the sun’s interaction with the Earth’s atmosphere is critical to development of satellite communications networks, global positioning systems (GPS) and national security. But the real objective is educational, Maruca said. The students are the “deliverables.” They’ll emerge from this work with an insider’s view of what it’s like to develop and work on a NASA mission. To arrange an interview with Maruca, contact UD's media relations team at mediarelations@udel.edu.

Covering the tensions in the Middle East - our experts are here to help with your stories

Photo credit: Timon Studler With escalating tensions in the Middle East, the situation seems to be changing on a daily basis. Robert Rabil, Ph.D., is an expert in political Islam, terrorism, U.S. foreign policy, and U.S.-Arab relations at Florida Atlantic University, and can speak about the current climate in the region, as well as offer expertise on its deep history. Simply click on Rabil’s icon now to arrange a time to speak to him.