Tracey Bryant
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Articles by Tracey Bryant
Shining a light on colloid science
Colloids are mixtures in which tiny particles of one substance are suspended within another. You’ve encountered them if you’ve ever spread butter on a warm roll, painted a room or brushed your teeth. In art conservation, colloidal systems like hydrogels and microemulsions act as controlled carriers for cleaning agents, including enzymes or solvents, offering advantages for preserving works of art on paper, historical paintings, sculptures, wood and more.
Global Crops and Drought
As temperature and rainfall fluctuations continue to influence global crop production, UD research has identified where crops are most vulnerable to environmental stressors.
Cleaning up hydrogen energy
Hydrogen could play an important role in meeting the world’s sustainable energy needs. It can serve as a fuel source, an energy carrier and an energy storage medium. However, the future hydrogen economy may hinge on iridium, a metal so rare that only about eight metric tons are produced worldwide each year — about the same weight as a mid-sized school bus.
Shaping the future of responsible AI
As governments around the world move to put new guardrails on artificial intelligence in 2026, University of Delaware professor Xiao Fang brings a perspective shaped long before AI became a business buzzword. More than 25 years ago, when few business scholars were studying artificial intelligence, Fang began asking how the technology could be designed to support better decisions — not just faster ones.
Get ready: The moon is about to blush
Maybe the moon has a secret crush on Earth, or perhaps it’s up to some mischief as it orbits our planet. Whatever the reason, it will be blushing again in the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 3. Yes, a “Blood Moon” — a total lunar eclipse — is on the way.
Aching jaw? UD scientist works to unlock mystery
If you have ever experienced a sore jaw from grinding your teeth, too much chewing gum or a long session in the dentist chair, it’s likely you know where the temporomandibular jaw joint is located. For the rest of us, this tiny little joint is situated just under the ear, and it acts like a sliding hinge that enables our ability to talk, laugh, chew, swallow and yawn.
For the Record, Feb. 20, 2026
For the Record provides information about recent professional activities and honors of University of Delaware faculty, staff, students and alumni. Recent presentations, publications and honors include the following: On Feb, 12, 2026, Sheng Lu, professor and graduate director of Fashion and Apparel Studies, spoke at the on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector, held in Paris, France.
UD recognized for sustainability efforts
The University of Delaware earned a STARS Silver rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) in recognition of continuous improvements in academics, engagement, innovation, leadership and operational efficiencies. AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) program is the world’s most widely recognized framework for sustainability reporting in higher education.
Exposing a hidden anchor for HIV replication
The close-up view highlights the integrase filament (green) which tiles along the capsid hexamers inside the capsid and helps to package the viral RNA (purple). Credit: Perilla Laboratory/ University of Delaware The tiny shell protecting the HIV virus resembles a slightly rounded ice cream cone, but there is nothing sweet about it. More than 40 million people worldwide live with AIDS because of this virus, and treatments must continually evolve as HIV mutates.
Exposing a hidden anchor for HIV replication
The tiny shell protecting the HIV virus resembles a slightly rounded ice cream cone, but there is nothing sweet about it. More than 40 million people worldwide live with AIDS because of this virus, and treatments must continually evolve as HIV mutates. During the acute stage of infection, a single human cell can produce as many as 10,000 new HIV particles. At the University of Delaware, Professor Juan R.
In Memoriam: Matthew Bernhardt
Matthew Robert Bernhardt, a second-year finance major in the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, passed away on Dec. 22, 2025. He was 19. Mr. Bernhardt will be remembered for his contagious energy, fierce competitiveness, and the deep loyalty he showed to his friends and family. “I loved when Bern would yell at me over football and the Ravens. The amount of passion he had for his sports teams was truly inspiring and a joy to watch,” shared junior Matthew Barreira.
Protecting turfgrass from fungal foes
Now, further research reported in the journal Plant Stress on the effect of UD1022 on dollar spot suggests intriguing implications for manufacturing of biological treatments for the fungal disease. In the paper, the research team showed that when they tested whether soil treated with UD1022 would be enough to prime turfgrass plants’ innate defense response to resist dollar spot infection — the way a flu vaccine primes the body to resist the flu virus — it wasn’t.
Designing protein building blocks for advanced materials
Tianren Zhang, Yao Tang and professor Darrin Pochan developed protein-based building blocks, called bundlemers, for advanced materials. The computer screen shows a visualization of two bundlemers stacked end-to-end. UD researchers design protein fragments that self-assemble under extreme conditions Proteins are the building blocks of life. These biomolecules comprise chains of amino acids that fold into precise shapes to perform specific jobs in nature.
Delaware Biotechnology Institute director appointed
April M. Kloxin, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering and materials science and engineering at the University of Delaware, has been named director of the Delaware Biotechnology Institute (DBI), a statewide hub for life science research and workforce development. Her appointment began on Feb. 1. She succeeds Jung-Youn Lee, professor of plant and soil sciences at the University, who has served as interim director since 2023.
The neuroscience of eating
As our behavior is determined by our brains, understanding which neurological circuits are involved at the beginning of the reward system allows scientists to map the entire system, and gives them clues to where unhealthy behaviors — such as eating disorders — can originate. “Reward drives almost everything we do,” Shao said. “If the brain assigns the wrong value to something — too much or too little — behavior goes wrong.
Purpose matters | UDaily
New Year’s resolutions, like drinking more water or getting more exercise, aren’t the only ways to bolster health and well-being. University of Delaware Assistant Professor Heather Farmer has found that a strong sense of purpose in life — the ability to find meaning and direction in your life — significantly protects health and well-being over time, especially as you age. It even provides protection against stress.
Bringing hidden magnetic states to light
External factors, such as temperature, also can influence light emission from the defects. The team had to characterize the defects under many different conditions to isolate which changes came from the magnetism itself. “We spent a lot of time understanding the properties of the defect itself and how it behaves independently of the magnet,” said Shaikh.
Star power | UDaily
“Rubin Observatory will collect 1,000 images per night,” Acero-Cuellar said. “We estimate that each image, if printed, would be about as large as a basketball court. Within each image, we expect 10,000 astrophysical bodies to have changed their aspect — their appearance or position.
Working through pain
Nearly 40% of American adults ages 18 to 64 with arthritis — almost 10 million people — say arthritis is limiting their ability to work. And as White, a knee OA expert, points out, the number is likely much higher. “We didn’t include people 65 or older because of retirement, but with what we know about the economy and inflation, people are working longer,” he said. While the data didn’t identify specific types of arthritis or work limitations, White said overall health was a significant factor.
Sticky situation
University of Delaware graduate student Wil Winter is trapping mosquitoes in the wild, enticing them with honey, and tricking them to give up their saliva for virus testing. This will help illuminate if disease-causing agents for West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus are in the area.
Bridging academia and industry
The FLUNITY-HD study, a prespecified pooled analysis combined data from two large-scale trials — DANFLU-2 in Denmark and GALFLU in Galicia, Spain — and included more than 466,000 individually randomized older adults across three flu seasons. The study assessed the benefits of high-dose vs. standard-dose (SD) influenza vaccines against hospitalizations in older adults.
Detecting hidden sensory losses
A decade ago, at age 55, Don Lewis suffered a stroke in his sleep. When he woke up, he couldn’t move his left arm or leg. Lewis’ neighbor realized his truck hadn’t moved in two days and called 911 for a welfare check. When paramedics found him, he was paralyzed on one side. “At the hospital, they told me an aneurysm caused my stroke,” he said. He would remain there for two months, and after extensive physical therapy, Lewis regained use of his left leg. His left arm remains paralyzed.
Stronger by design
Computer chips drive the technologies we rely on every day, from smartphones to medical devices. Yet many chips remain vulnerable to hardware-level attacks that can compromise privacy, safety and security. Three University of Delaware researchers are leading a new effort, supported by a National Science Foundation grant, to make the chips that power modern technology more secure from the start, rather than relying on safeguards added later.
AI meets real intelligence at UD hackathon
The University of Delaware is helping students gain a critical edge in the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence. At a recent hackathon on UD’s Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus, students teamed up to tackle real-world problems brought by some of the biggest companies in finance and technology. As the only current U.S. governor with a double major in computer science and political science, Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer was an enthusiastic supporter.
Five UD faculty named among world's most influential researchers
Five University of Delaware professors have been named to the 2025 list of Highly Cited Researchers, an international designation by Clarivate, a global analytics company. This honor recognizes scholars whose publications rank among the top 1% in citations worldwide. Their work spans multiple disciplines and has had a profound impact on the research community and beyond, expanding what we know about the world and driving solutions to global challenges.
Turning plastic waste into fuel
One promising upcycling approach is hydrogenolysis, which uses hydrogen gas and a catalyst to convert the polymers in plastics into liquid fuels for transportation and industrial use. However, conventional catalysts have limited efficiency because bulky polymer molecules have a hard time interacting with the active sites of the catalyst where the reaction takes place.
For the Record, Sept. 19, 2025
For the Record provides information about recent professional activities and honors of University of Delaware faculty, staff, students and alumni. Recent publications, presentations and honors include the following: Benjamin Fleury-Steiner, professor and director of graduate studies in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, is coauthor of a new book that examines prison conditions in the United States in today’s era of mass incarceration and immigrant detention.
Mapping out the heliosphere, Earth's protective bubble
Much as we may treasure and proclaim our independence, we actually live in a protective bubble called the heliosphere. This extraordinary environment is basically the sun’s sphere of influence. It surrounds our solar system and shields it from galactic cosmic radiation that comes mostly from outer space — rays that travel near the speed of light. The Earth’s magnetic field also protects us from incoming radiation.
Informing landscape decisions
Editor’s note: Every year, hundreds of undergraduates at the University of Delaware pursue research under the guidance of a faculty mentor, especially during the summer months. Such experiences provided by UD — a nationally recognized research university — can be life-changing, introducing young scholars to a new field, perhaps even the path to a future career, as they uncover new knowledge. These spotlights offer a glimpse into their world.
An emerging leader in computing
University of Delaware Professor Sunita Chandrasekaran is leading the charge on the high-tech frontier, fearless in the face of complexity. She led an international team that stress-tested the world’s first exascale computer, capable of performing a staggering quintillion calculations per second. Now, she’s exploring the intersection of AI and the high-performance computing (HPC) that powers it — all while preparing her students to thrive at top technology and business firms.
Whitaker and Kunjapur named Gerard J. Mangone Young Scholars
From the tiniest microbes to the earliest years of human life, Aditya Kunjapur, assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, and Anamarie Whitaker, assistant professor of early care and education policy, are making an enormous impact — in their fields, and among their students — while studying the “small things.” Their outstanding research and promising careers are the reasons behind their recognition as the 2024 Gerard J.
Snack attack coming? Meet your next crunch
Editor’s note: Every year, hundreds of undergraduates at the University of Delaware pursue research under the guidance of a faculty mentor, especially during the summer months. Such experiences provided by UD — a nationally recognized research university — can be life-changing, introducing young scholars to a new field, perhaps even the path to a future career, as they uncover new knowledge. These spotlights offer a glimpse into their world. When you’re hungry for a snack, what do you reach for?
Student research yields fresh ideas for historic Wilmington burial ground
Editor’s note: Every year, hundreds of undergraduates at the University of Delaware pursue research under the guidance of a faculty mentor, especially during the summer months. Such experiences provided by UD — a nationally recognized research university — can be life-changing, introducing young scholars to a new field, perhaps even the path to a future career, as they uncover new knowledge. These spotlights offer a glimpse into their world.
Do you really need to read to learn?
This article by Stephanie N. Del Tufo, assistant professor of education and human development at the University of Delaware, has been republished with permission from The Conversation’s Curious Kids series, for children of all ages.
Looking into the body's essential couriers
Editor’s note: Every year, hundreds of undergraduates at the University of Delaware pursue research under the guidance of a faculty mentor, especially during the summer months. Such experiences provided by UD — a nationally recognized research university — can be life-changing, introducing young scholars to a new field, perhaps even the path to a future career, as they uncover new knowledge. These spotlights offer a glimpse into their world.
Halting a heart attack's hidden harm
Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a heart attack. Most survive, but at a cost. In the aftermath, the heart cells often stiffen in a process called myocardial fibrosis, a hidden scarring that can lead to lasting damage. Elise Corbin, a biomedical engineer at the University of Delaware, is working to uncover what happens inside the heart muscle after a heart attack.
A global showcase
When marine science major Sally Bornhorst studied abroad for the spring semester in Denmark, her Polar Biology class went on an excursion to arctic Norway to experience many of the things they had learned about in the classroom, including native communities and their ways of life. While there, the group learned about Sámi culture and the native reindeer herders, and reindeer’s adaptations to living in the arctic. They then got to meet and feed the reindeer, a highlight of the trip.
Innovation Ambassador: Harsh Bais
University of Delaware plant biologist Harsh Bais knows a thing or two about discovery, about taking an idea and creating a product that can be successful in the marketplace. He’s had a lot of help along the way. As an Innovation Ambassador at UD, Bais is sharing what he’s learned with other campus innovators, in hopes of encouraging others to translate their novel ideas to the world.
Bird conservation
Will Krohn holds a purple martin chick in the palm of his hand, showing one of the white bands on its legs that will help Krohn track its location. UD graduate students study birds of concern to help their populations bounce back On a warm July morning, Will Krohn gingerly gripped a small pair of pliers in one hand and a newly hatched bird in the other. With the chick peeking its head out between two of Krohn’s fingers, Krohn gently attached a tiny metal band to its right leg.
Boosting nature's benefits on communities
Editor’s note: Every year, hundreds of undergraduates at the University of Delaware pursue research under the guidance of a faculty mentor, especially during the summer months. Such experiences provided by UD — a nationally recognized research university — can be life-changing, introducing young scholars to a new field, perhaps even the path to a future career, as they uncover new knowledge. These spotlights offer a glimpse into their world.
Boosting nature's benefits on communities
Editor’s note: Every year, hundreds of undergraduates at the University of Delaware pursue research under the guidance of a faculty mentor, especially during the summer months. Such experiences provided by UD — a nationally recognized research university — can be life-changing, introducing young scholars to a new field, perhaps even the path to a future career, as they uncover new knowledge. These spotlights offer a glimpse into their world.
Examining food systems
When he was an undergraduate student at the University of Delaware, current UD associate professor Kyle Davis had the chance to participate in a study abroad program to South Africa, led by Professor Emeritus Norma Gaines-Hanks. He remembers the moment everything clicked, and he discovered his passion for research on food systems. “That study abroad got me interested in development challenges and food systems and how they interact with the environment,” Davis said.
Coastal culture | UDaily
Editor’s note: Every year, hundreds of undergraduates at the University of Delaware pursue research under the guidance of a faculty mentor, especially during the summer months. Such experiences provided by UD — a nationally recognized research university — can be life-changing, introducing young scholars to a new field, perhaps even the path to a future career, as they uncover new knowledge. These spotlights offer a glimpse into their world.
Belonging in business
Editor’s note: Every year, hundreds of undergraduates at the University of Delaware pursue research under the guidance of a faculty mentor, especially during the summer months. Such experiences provided by UD — a nationally recognized research university — can be life-changing, introducing young scholars to a new field, perhaps even the path to a future career, as they uncover new knowledge. These spotlights offer a glimpse into their world.
Using nature to fight liver cancer
New research by William Chain, associate professor in the University of Delaware’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and his lab, uses a molecule found in a tropical fruit to offer hope in the fight against liver-related cancers, one of the world’s top causes of cancer deaths.
Hope from ashes | UDaily
Below, Chiu shares with UDaily five important facts about char — both natural (wildfire char) and manmade (biochar). He also discusses his team’s recently published research in Environmental Science and Technology, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Chemical Society, detailing the potential of wildfire chars to suppress methane produced by microorganisms.
Reaching new heights
Terrier-Improved Malemute rocket launches from NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, on Aug. 12, 2025, with a UD student experiment on board. The rocket reached an altitude of about 100 miles before returning to Earth and recovery from the Atlantic Ocean. UD student experiment soars into space aboard NASA rocket It’s not every day a student experiment hitches a ride aboard a NASA rocket, but that’s exactly what a University of Delaware student team achieved earlier this week.
From campus to the world
As a leader of study abroad for over 100 years, the University of Delaware’s programs have had long-lasting impacts on over 40,000 Blue Hens. The significance of studying abroad for students is undeniable, but it can also be life-changing for the faculty members who plan and lead these programs.
Tracking tidal turtles
University of Delaware senior Samantha Melanson, a wildlife ecology and conservation major, is studying the behavior and nesting habits of the terrapin at an outdoor research site located in her hometown of Barnegat Light, New Jersey. The research site is a sandy lot created by the Terrapin Nesting Project, a nonprofit organization that has been helping rebuild terrapin populations for over 10 years. Melanson is working with Mimi Purzycki, the site’s founder.
Vitamin D and healthy pregnancies
Editor’s note: This article has been republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization dedicated to unlocking the knowledge of experts for the public good. If you are a UD faculty member interested in writing about your research for The Conversation, please email ocm@udel.edu.
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