SUNY Empire Spotlight: September 2026

The latest news on research efforts, awards, grants, and media appearances from Empire State University faculty, staff, and leadership.      

Chris Closson, assistant professor, appeared on an episode of the National Rural Education Association Official Podcast.    

Michelle R. Eades-Baird, associate professor, was named to the second cohort of SUNY Sustainability Faculty Fellows. 

Cailyn Green, assistant professor, presented at the Addiction and the Family International Network virtual conference with student Amile Cominotti. 

Lisa D’Adamo-Weinstein, visiting associate professor and director of general education, participated as a SUNY Civil Discourse Fellow in a roundtable held by SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. as part of SUNY’s observation of Constitution Day.  

Jason Russell, professor, appeared on Talk of the Town to discuss the trade war between Canada and the U.S. 

Diane Shichtman, associate professor, was named to the second cohort of SUNY AI for the Public Good Fellows. 

Noor Syed, associate professor and director of CAARES, appeared on two podcasts: Friends with Wheels and Unstitching ADHD. She was also on a panel, “Embedding Universal Design to Advance Neuroinclusive Higher Education,” at the Stanford Neurodiversity Summit. 

Jennifer Verdolin, associate professor, published an article in Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 

Melissa Wells, associate professor and director of teaching, learning, and faculty development, published a paper in the Education and New Developments (END) 2026 Conference Proceedings.