Work on Snow Squall VR Simulation Moves Forward

Feb 3, 2025

1 min

Last year, Dr. Jase Bernhardt, Hofstra associate professor of geology, environment, and sustainability, was awarded a $100,000 Road to Zero Community Traffic Safety Grant from the National Safety Council, to develop a VR simulation of driving in a snow squall. The project aims to share information about the onset of snow squalls, the importance of heeding emergency weather advisories, and how drivers should respond if they are on the road when a snow squall occurs.

Dr. Bernhardt has partnered with meteorologists from the National Weather Service office in State College, PA, and was in Pennsylvania recently to participate in a press conference and conduct field research supporting his work. The press conference was promoted on PAcast – the official website of the Pennsylvania state government. Local news stations like NBC affiliate WJAC-TV; ABC affiliate WHTM-TV; WPMT-TV Fox43 News; and PennWatch covered the press conference.

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Jase Bernhardt

Associate Professor of Geology, Environment, and Sustainability

Dr. Bernhardt's current research is focused on using VR technology to teach about dangerous weather conditions.

Rip Tide safetyHurricanesClimatologyClimate ChangeWeather

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Jul 8, 2026

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Sample Provides Analysis of Landmark Supreme Court Decisions

Professor James Sample of the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University was among the nation’s leading legal scholars providing analysis of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark end-of-term decisions this week, appearing on ABC News and MSNBC’s MS NOW to examine the Court’s rulings alongside other major legal and constitutional developments. Professor Sample summarized the recent analysis on his “Who Decides Who Decides” Substack. Across his June appearances, Professor Sample provided legal insight into the Supreme Court’s decisions involving birthright citizenship, immigration, transgender athletes, and religious liberty, while also analyzing election law disputes, executive authority, federal investigations, and litigation involving the Trump administration. His commentary offered audiences context on the constitutional questions shaping the Court’s term and the broader implications for American law and democratic governance.

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Map Shows Trump Approval Rating in Each State With Critical Senate Races

Meena Bose, executive dean of Hofstra University’s Peter S. Kalikow School of Government, told Newsweek that President Donald Trump’s approval ratings in key Senate battleground states suggest Republicans face a more challenging political environment heading into the 2026 midterm elections. She noted that while incumbency and candidate quality will still matter, a president with approval ratings below 50 percent can create headwinds for candidates from his own party, making competitive Senate races more difficult for Republicans.

Jun 23, 2026

2 min

World Cup 2026: Hofstra experts on the science, health, and business behind the tournament.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to the New York metro area, and Hofstra University is ready. From the training room to the boardroom, Hofstra faculty bring research-backed expertise to the stories journalists are chasing this tournament season. Featured Topic The Cultural Game Why soccer means what it means and what this World Cup moment represents The World Cup has always been about more than the game. Brenda Elsey, Professor of History, studies soccer as a cultural and political force across the Americas -- from grassroots identity to gender and power. She can speak to what this tournament represents as a historical moment, on and off the field. Expert Brenda Elsey - History Featured Topic Health and Performance on the World Stage Expert insight on what it takes to compete and recover at a World Cup. Competing at this level means managing the body and the mind across weeks of high-stakes matches with almost no recovery time. Hofstra's health and kinesiology faculty are your sources for the stories behind the performance. Experts Jayne Ellinger - Athletic Training Katie Sell - Exercise Physiology Anna Len - Physical Therapy Genevieve Weber - Mental Health Featured Topic Beyond the Pitch What the World Cup does to cities, economies, and public health systems From local business impact and tourism economics to disease surveillance and emergency preparedness - Hofstra faculty are ready to talk. Experts Andy M. Forman - Marketing & Tourism Lauren Hindman - Management Martine Hackett - Population Health Meshack Achore - Population Health