Featured Post from University of Delaware

With 'Oppenheimer' still dominating box office, expert shares findings from visit to nuclear testing site in the Pacific

Aug 1, 2023

1 min

The box office smash "Oppenheimer" captured imagination of a new generation of Americans who never knew a world without nuclear weapons.

University of Delaware professor Art Trembanis can provide a unique perspective on this topic as well as the history of nuclear weapon testing. Four years ago, he was part of a team that visited the Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean's Marshall Islands, where the United States conducted a series of nuclear weapons tests in the 1940s and 1950s that sank warships, tanks and other vehicles as part of a simulated nuclear battlefield. He realized that if he had been in that spot during any one of those tests, he would have been engulfed in a humongous atomic mushroom cloud.

Trembanis' team was tasked with conducting an underwater mapping effort to locate and characterize the 12-ship ghost fleet that sits 180 feet deep at the bottom of Bikini Lagoon.

He is available for interviews and can be contacted by clicking on his profile photo or via his ExpertFile profile.

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Arthur Trembanis

Professor, Marine Science and Policy

Prof. Trembanis research focuses on understanding beaches for resilience and mapping the seafloor using robots to develop the Blue Economy.

Seafloor MappingCoastal Erosion and MorphodynamicsHurricanes and Nor'eastersUnderwater RobotsShipwrecks

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Jul 17, 2026

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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.