Research Matters

In this episode of Research Matters, Cornell chemist Phillip Milner explains a breakthrough carbon-capture system that uses sunlight — rather than fossil-fuel energy — to both capture and release carbon dioxide, potentially transforming how we tackle emissions. The conversation explores why carbon capture remains essential, how the technology works in real-world conditions, and what it could mean for the cost and scalability of climate solutions. Watch here.

Adam Hoffman, an assistant professor studying social identity and adolescent development, explains how simple identity-affirming practices can support teens. He explores social media’s role in identity salience, identity exploration during adolescence, school and community interventions, and work with Native youth and representation in media.

In this episode of Research Matters, entomologist Christophe Duplais explains how scent molecules can identify stressed plants, help farmers detect crop problems early and even offer clues about human and animal health. Decoding these airborne messages reveals a hidden communication network that connects ecosystems, agriculture and medicine. Watch here.

In this episode of Research Matters, we speak with misinformation expert Claire Wardle about how misleading and emotionally charged content spreads faster than facts. Wardle explains why misinformation is not just a media problem but a societal one, shaping everything from elections to public health decisions. The conversation also explores possible solutions — from community-based trust networks to new models of journalism. Watch here.

In this episode of Research Matters, Cornell University mechanical engineering professor Robert Shepherd explores a radically reimagined future of robotics – one where sustainable, self-repairing machines partner with biology rather than imitate it, opening new possibilities in medicine, environmental monitoring, agriculture and beyond. Shepherd explains how biohybrid robots use living cells as actuators, how mycelium can function as both building material and sensing network, and how volumetric 3D printing allows entire soft robots, complete with internal skeletons, to be created in a single step. Watch here.

In this episode of Research Matters, we talk with Casey Dillman, curator of fishes, amphibians and reptiles at the Cornell University Museum of Vertebrates, about how studying some of the planet’s most overlooked creatures can reveal the health of entire ecosystems. It’s a conversation about interconnectedness, conservation and an unlikely key to protecting the future of the planet. Watch here.

In this episode of Research Matters, we speak with Sriramya Duddukuri Nair, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering in the Cornell Duffield College of Engineering, about the enormous — and often invisible — impact of construction materials on our climate and daily lives. From reimagining “green concrete” to experimenting with 3D-printed buildings made from local, in-situ materials, Nair explains how engineers are working to build faster, cleaner and more resilient infrastructure for a warming world. It’s a wide-ranging conversation about innovation under pressure — and why the future of climate solutions may be hiding in the concrete beneath our feet. Watch here.

In this episode of Research Matters, economist Chris Barrett, the Stephen B. and Janice G. Ashley Professor of Applied Economics and Management in the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business and a professor in the Cornell Brooks School of Public Policy, digs into why food prices remain so stubbornly high — from climate shocks and geopolitical conflict to supply chain bottlenecks and fragile global markets that amplify volatility. The conversation connects the dots between global economic forces and what we see at the grocery store, while exploring smarter policies that can stabilize markets and protect the most vulnerable. Watch here.

In this insightful episode of Research Matters, Arthur Wheaton, director of labor studies in the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations, dives into the future of cars, travel and work – from tariffs and EV transitions to autonomous vehicles and union impacts.Packed with practical advice, eye-opening analysis and a glimpse into emerging trends in transportation and labor, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating car buying decisions, industry shifts, or the role of technology in our jobs and journeys. Watch here.

In this episode of Research Matters, Dr. Glenn E. Simmons Jr., a Cornell biomedical scientist and assistant professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, takes us inside his lab to reveal how fats and inflammation can fuel cancer – and why some communities face worse outcomes than others. Plus, he offers practical health tips, a peek at what’s next for his team, and a book recommendation to keep curious minds busy. Watch here.