College of Human Ecology at Cornell

A Cornell researcher’s bold new redesign of firefighter gear – which hasn’t significantly changed in decades – is more versatile and better adapted to their actual work, only a small fraction of which involves actually fighting structure fires.

Heeju Terry Park, the Vincent V.C. Woo Professor in the Department of Human Centered Design in the College of Human Ecology at Cornell, and his lab developed the new two-piece, Velcro- and zipper-equipped suits after interviewing more than 50 firefighters.

The new design is two pieces, which can be connected with zippers and Velcro to function as a coverall. The protective outer layer of the top can be unzipped and secured around the waist or completely removed when not needed, a feature similar to the suits worn by F1 racers.

“This unique design feature will enable firefighters to quickly cool down their body in non-firefighting situations,” Park said. In particular, the upper portion of the redesigned gear promotes effective heat release; more than 60% of perspiration occurs in the head and torso.

Read more: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/06/redesigned-fire-gear-offers-potentially-more-cooling-less-toxicity.

Thinking about applying to Cornell Human Ecology? Join us this summer for an Undergraduate Admissions Information Session and learn more about what makes the College of Human Ecology such a unique place to learn, grow and make an impact.

Meet with our admissions team, explore our academic programs, learn about research and community engagement opportunities, and get your questions answered about the application process and student experience.

In-Person Information Sessions (Registration Required)

• June 26 | 1:00–1:50 p.m.
• July 10 | 1:00–1:50 p.m.
• July 17 | 1:00–1:50 p.m.
• July 24 | 1:00–1:50 p.m.
• July 31 | 1:00–1:50 p.m.

Virtual Information Session (Registration Required)

• August 11 | 7:00 p.m.

Space is limited, so be sure to register in advance.

Visit our website for registration and additional details: https://human.cornell.edu/admissions/visit

Photo Credit: Ryan Young

Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies worldwide, particularly among women of reproductive age. New research from the Division of Nutritional Sciences, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggests that the relationship between menstrual blood loss and iron status may be more complex than previously understood.

Led by professor Kimberly O'Brien and Min-Ruei Lee, a second-year master's student, with co-authors Alexa Barad, Erica Bender, Jennifer Thompson, Zhenglong Gu and Eva Pressman, the study examined menstrual characteristics and multiple markers of iron status in more than 250 healthy women of East Asian and Northern European ancestry.

Researchers found that participants of East Asian ancestry reported higher menstrual blood loss scores and an earlier age at first menstruation than participants of Northern European ancestry. Yet despite those differences, East Asian participants generally maintained higher iron stores.

Among Northern European participants, higher menstrual blood loss was associated with lower iron stores and poorer iron status. In contrast, researchers did not observe the same relationship among East Asian participants. The findings suggest that factors influencing iron needs and iron status may vary across populations and that current approaches for assessing iron deficiency may not fully capture that complexity.

The study highlights the need for improved tools to measure menstrual blood loss and a deeper understanding of the factors that influence iron requirements in women. As researchers work to refine dietary recommendations and improve iron deficiency prevention, these findings underscore the importance of considering individual and population-level differences in nutritional health.

The findings are part of the ongoing FeGenes study, a research initiative examining how genetic ancestry may influence iron metabolism, iron absorption and nutritional needs.

Read the full study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916526001358

How can countries better protect children from malnutrition in a world facing climate shocks, conflict and rising food prices?

A new global assessment led by Shibani Ghosh, associate professor in the Division of Nutritional Sciences, argues that food, health and climate policies can no longer be treated as separate challenges.

As lead author of the 2026 Global Nutrition Report, Ghosh helped synthesize evidence and country-level experiences from around the world, highlighting how investments in integrated food, health and social protection systems can help communities respond more effectively to crises and protect nutrition outcomes before emergencies occur.

Released at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, the report notes that 2.6 billion people worldwide cannot afford a healthy diet. It also warns that climate change could push millions more children into malnutrition while declining global nutrition funding threatens progress in some of the world's most vulnerable communities.

“Protecting nutrition during a crisis requires investing in coordinated and integrated action and infrastructure – before the crisis occurs,” Ghosh said.

The report highlights examples from countries including India, Sierra Leone and South Africa, where coordinated approaches across food, health and social protection systems helped strengthen nutrition programs and improve resilience during periods of disruption.

“Protecting nutrition gains requires intentionality with explicit actions,” Ghosh added. “Policy choices must ensure that the costs of those decisions do not fall most heavily on those already at greatest risk.”

Read more at https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/06/fight-child-hunger-coordinate-food-health-and-climate-policy

During Cornell Reunion weekend, alumni, students, colleagues and friends gathered to celebrate the extraordinary legacy of Professor Cindy Hazan and her nearly four decades of teaching, mentorship and scholarship at Cornell.

Best known for Human Bonding (HD 3620), one of Cornell’s most beloved and influential courses, Professor Hazan helped generations of students better understand relationships, attachment and what it means to connect with others.

During the celebration, former students shared memories from her classroom and reflected on lessons they still carry with them today: from attachment styles and relationship dynamics to insights that continue to shape their friendships, partnerships and family lives.

As alumnus Ian Shea ’96 reflected, “What I found most interesting wasn’t the research. It was what her former students remembered.” Years after graduation, alumni still recalled lessons from class, including attachment styles, the “Four Horsemen” of conflict and the importance of putting more “yum” than “yuck” into a relationship.

Throughout the event, alumni shared stories, reconnected with classmates and mentors, and wrote heartfelt thank-you notes expressing their gratitude for the impact Professor Hazan had on their lives both inside and outside the classroom.

“Professor Hazan has always brought a certain type of magic into the classroom,” said Kathleen McCormick '16, Ph.D. ’25, who studied under Hazan as an undergraduate and will begin her teaching career in psychology at Colgate University this fall. “I was struck at her retirement celebration by the way her teaching and her love for her work and research has resonated across so many years and lives.”

A pioneer in attachment research and a beloved teacher and mentor, Professor Hazan’s influence extends far beyond Cornell. But perhaps her greatest legacy can be found in the thousands of students whose lives, relationships and careers were shaped by her teaching.

Thank you, Cindy, for helping generations of Cornellians better understand the bonds that connect us! ❤️

Photo Credit: Galib Braschler

How can we make healthy food more accessible for families facing barriers like limited time, transportation challenges and rising grocery costs? New research from the Cornell Action Research Collaborative (ARC) suggests that online grocery shopping may be part of the solution.

The study found that SNAP participants with young children and those who live farther from grocery stores were more likely to purchase fruits and vegetables online, highlighting how online shopping can serve as an important access strategy for healthy food.

“People assume that if you have limited resources, you’re not shopping for groceries online, but we find that’s not true,” said Tashara M. Leak, associate professor in the Division of Nutritional Sciences, associate dean for Cornell Human Ecology in New York City, and co-director of ARC.

Founded by Leak and Neil Lewis, Jr., associate professor in the Department of Communication, ARC brings together researchers, community organizations and policymakers to develop evidence-based solutions that improve health and well-being. This latest work, conducted in partnership with Field & Fork Network, is helping inform efforts to make nutrition incentive programs more accessible and effective for families across New York state.

“A lot of families are really relying on SNAP to supply a large proportion of their groceries, and it’s hard to dedicate those dollars to fruits and vegetables,” Leak said. “That’s why providing these incentives and figuring out how to encourage people to use these programs is the right thing to do.”

As policymakers consider the future of SNAP, this research offers important insights into how programs can better meet families where they are and help put nutritious food on the table.

Read more at https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/06/online-grocery-shopping-could-bring-more-fresh-produce-snap-families

Global Spotlight: Lilian Cao ‘27
Major: Design and Environmental Analysis
Program: Delft University of Technology CHE Exchange Program

Lilian Cao ’27, a design and environmental analysis major in Cornell Human Ecology, is spending the semester at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, exploring industrial design through hands-on coursework while experiencing life in one of Europe’s most connected and innovative design hubs.

Q: What is your global learning experience?
A: I’m taking second-year classes, taught in English, in TU Delft’s three-year B.S. Industrial Design program. Delft is a wonderful town about an hour from Amsterdam by train.

Q: What was your global learning experience goal?
A: My biggest goal was to push myself out of my comfort zone and try new things. Dutch semesters run longer than Cornell’s, so I’ll be in the Netherlands until the end of June, which gives me a longer and more forgiving adjustment period. I’m looking forward to making the most of my time here by learning Dutch, traveling around Europe and building local connections with my peers and professors at TU Delft.

Q: How does it relate to your major?
A: Industrial design is one of many career paths that DEA majors consider. DEA gives us a strong analytical and research-based foundation that makes us thoughtful designers. Although I’m more interested in urban design and spatial planning, my exchange program offers a wide range of interesting classes, like Designing for Society and “Reimagining Mobility, that connect to my career interests.

Q: Share one takeaway or highlight from your experience:
A: I love the interconnectedness of the Netherlands via rail. It’s easy to visit other cities in the Netherlands when I have a free day, and I have a subscription that makes all rail travel free on the weekends.

Q: Do you have advice for other CHE students?
A: Prioritize what you want to do and what you hope to get out of a semester abroad. Research is important, but also ask yourself which factors matter most to you. And stay on top of the application process. It can get away from you quickly during a busy semester!

With planning, you can study abroad in any of our CHE majors. Learn how to make the most of your global experience: https://human.cornell.edu/news-profiles/global-learning-opportunities-every-che-major

A 17th-century shipwreck transformed into a dress? Researchers at Aalto University in Finland recently turned wood from the historic Hahtiperä shipwreck into textile fibers and knitted them into two striking garments, giving new life to a material that otherwise would have been discarded.

The project highlights a growing movement in fashion, design and materials science: reimagining what materials can become and finding innovative ways to reduce waste.

At Cornell Human Ecology, researchers are exploring similar questions through nature-inspired textile innovation. Led by Larissa Shepherd, assistant professor in Cornell Human Centered Design and director of the Responsive Apparel Design (RAD) Lab, a team of researchers developed the darkest fabric currently reported—an ultrablack textile that reflects just 0.13% of visible light.

Inspired by the light-trapping feathers of the magnificent riflebird, the wearable material uses nanoscale structures to absorb light while maintaining its ultrablack appearance across a wide range of viewing angles.

Whether transforming centuries-old shipwreck wood into fashion or looking to nature for the next generation of textiles, researchers are challenging us to rethink the possibilities of materials, sustainability and design.

Read more in the Smithsonian Magazine feature at https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-shipwreck-but-make-it-fashion-researchers-transformed-wooden-fragments-from-a-17th-century-shipwreck-into-a-pair-of-stylish-maxi-dresses-180988825/

Photo Credit: Esa Kapila/Ryan Young