Featured Post from University of Delaware

University of Delaware experts share insights and strategies for navigating the upcoming school year

Experts have unique perspectives on school food, diversity and disability services for the 2024-2025 school year.

Aug 13, 2024

2 min

The College of Education and Human Development in the University of Delaware has a number of stories and experts for the upcoming school year.

Stories

Bridging the language gap: How AWE software fosters inclusivity for English Language Learners and Non-English Language Learners alike

Creating a mindful classroom: Tips for teachers on how to have a peaceful transition into the 2024-2025 school year

Empowering Black and Latinx Boys in Their Postsecondary Journeys: The Role of School Communities

UD assistant professor Eric Layland shares new research on LGBTQ+ developmental milestones and supporting LGBTQ+ youth

University of Delaware assistant professor explores the tensions between hopes and expectations in vocational planning for autistic young adults

Experts

Allison Karpyn – an associate professor who can speak to topics related to hunger, obesity, school food, supermarket access, and food insecurity. She has spoken extensively about food in schools and can offer context to those subjects.

Roderick Carey – an assistant professor whose current interdisciplinary research serves to make sense of the school experiences of black and Latino adolescent boys and young men in urban contexts. He can also talk about teacher education as it relates to men in the field/the impact of male teachers.

To contact Karpyn or Carey, click their profiles.

More experts...

If you would like to pursue any of these stories or speak to any of the following experts, they are all willing and excited to chat. Contact mediarelations@udel.edu to speak to them.

Eric Layland – an assistant professor who can speak about LGBTQ+ student experiences from a research perspective. His work bridges LGBTQ+ developmental research to community impact through developmentally-informed, affirmative interventions.

Sarah Mallory – an assistant professor who specializes in special education with a special focus on autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. She also works within the Center for Disabilities Studies.

Sarah Curtiss – an assistant professor who specializes in special education with a special focus on autistic youth.

Brittany Zakszeski – an assistant professor and nationally certified school psychologist, licensed psychologist and behavior analyst. She focuses on student and teacher mental health and can comment on what concealed weapons carried by teachers can do for the mental wellbeing of both students and teachers.

Lauren Bailes – an associate professor who focuses on the ways in which organizational, social-cognitive, and leadership theory unite to promote the success of school leaders and K-12 students.

Bryan VanGronigen – an assistant professor who specializes in organizational resilience and change management in K-12 schools with specific interest areas in efforts to improve schools, the preparation and professional development of educational leaders and educational policy analyses.

Lynsey Gibbons – an associate professor specializing in mathematics education, in teacher professional learning and school partnerships across content areas.

Contact mediarelations@udel.edu to speak to these experts or for more information on the stories above.

Connect with:

Allison Karpyn

Professor, Education; Senior Associate Director, Center for Research in Education and Social Policy

Prof. Karpyn can speak to topics such as obesity, food policy and community nutrition.

Farmer’s MarketsSupermarket AccessObesityFood InsecurityPublic Health

Roderick L. Carey

Associate Professor, Human Development and Family Sciences

Prof. Carey's research serves to make sense of the school experiences of black and Latino adolescent boys and young men in urban contexts.

Teacher EducationPost-Secondary EducationDevelopmental PsychologyAfrican American Education‎Latino Education

Joshua Wilson

Associate Professor, Education

Prof. Wilson's research focuses on ways that technology and artificial intelligence can improve the teaching and learning of writing.

Writing InstructionWriting AssessmentAutomated ScoringAutomated FeedbackArtificial Intelligence in Education

Leigh McLean

Associate Research Professor, Education

Prof. McLean investigates how teachers’ emotions and emotion-related experiences including well-being impact their effectiveness.

Developmental PsychologyInstructional PracticesTeachers and TeachingWell-BeingClassroom Behavior

Find Experts

Jul 17, 2026

1 min

Food safety expert available to discuss emerging health risks

The University of Delaware’s Kalmia Kniel can discuss foodborne parasites and food safety risks, including the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak spreading across the United States. Kniel, a professor of microbial food safety, can explain how foodborne parasites spread, why outbreaks (particularly those involving the Cyclospora parasite) can be challenging to investigate and what consumers should know about reducing their risk of illness. She co-authored a study published in December 2025 that examined challenges researchers face in detecting, studying and controlling Cyclospora cayetanensis, including gaps in understanding the parasite and improving prevention strategies. Kniel can also discuss why fresh produce and water are often a focus during investigations and the steps consumers can take to improve food safety. Kniel’s expertise includes: • Foodborne parasites and illness outbreaks • Produce and microbial food safety • Food contamination and prevention • Food safety research Kniel discussed the biology of this specific pathogen in detail at a recent presentation on cyclospora. To arrange an interview with Kniel, visit her profile page and click the contact button. Interested journalists can else email MediaRelations@udel.edu.

Jul 16, 2026

1 min

Wildfire smoke: Climatologist available to explain air quality and impacts

Wildfire smoke has increasingly affected communities across the United States, including the latest episode in which smoke from Canadian wildfires has moved into the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. The University of Delaware’s Kevin Brinson is available to explain the atmospheric conditions that allow wildfire smoke to travel long distances and affect regional air quality. Brinson, an assistant research professor and Delaware’s state climatologist, can speak to: • How wildfire smoke travels long distances through the atmosphere. • The role of weather patterns, winds and atmospheric conditions in transporting and dispersing smoke. • How wildfire smoke events are monitored and forecast. • How atmospheric and seasonal weather patterns influence smoke transport and regional air quality. To arrange an interview with Brinson, visit his profile and click the contact button. Interested reporters can also send an email to MediaRelations@udel.edu.

Jul 16, 2026

1 min

Registered Dietitian Discusses Seasonal Eating, Nutrition Benefits of Summer Vegetables and Healthy Food Preparation

University of Delaware registered dietitian and clinical nutrition instructor Sharon Collison is available to discuss seasonal eating, the nutritional benefits of vegetables and practical strategies for making healthy foods more flavorful and appealing. Collison can explain how seasonal produce – including tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers, corn and other summer favorites – provides important nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, minerals and plant compounds that support overall health. She can also discuss simple preparation techniques, including grilling, roasting, herbs and spices, that can help people incorporate more vegetables into everyday meals. Collison's expertise includes: • The nutritional benefits of seasonal fruits and vegetables and how they contribute to overall health. • Evidence-based strategies for healthy eating and building sustainable nutrition habits. • Simple cooking techniques and meal ideas that make nutritious foods more appealing. To arrange an interview with Collison, visit her profile page and click on the contact button. Interested reporters can also send an email to MediaRelations@udel.edu.