Emin Gun Sirer is an associate professor of computer science at Cornell University and co-director of Cornell’s Initiative for Cryptocurrencies and Contracts (IC3). Gun Sirer says replacing social security numbers with cryptographic keys would greatly enhance privacy, allowing people to have a different identifier at each bank.

Engineering

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Adam T. Smith, professor of anthropology at Cornell University says that the archaeological record is clear: President Trump’s proposed wall on the Mexico-U.S. border offers only the illusion of security – just as similar walls have throughout history.

Arts and Sciences

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Fall is rapidly approaching, and apple harvest season is here. Helping to shed some light on 2019’s apple harvest, Susan Brown, professor of horticulture and world-renowned apple breeder; Kerik Cox, professor of plant pathology who specializes in fungal and bacterial diseases of apples; Arthur Agnello, entomology professor who focuses on tree fruit pests and pest management, weigh in on this year’s crop and growing season.

Food & Agriculture

New York State

Agriculture and Life Sciences

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Earlier this week, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared a state of emergency in major cities across the country in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. Kristin Roebuck, assistant professor in the department of history at Cornell University, studies modern Japan with a focus on the history of medicine and law, race and sexuality and Japanese international relations. She points to Japan’s abysmal domestic violence record and says that those Japanese who feel least safe at home face heightened threats and dwindling protections in the era of COVID-19.

International

Arts and Sciences

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Stephen Wicker, an expert in information network privacy issues, comments on online privacy and surveillance as COVID-19 forces more users online.

Physical Sciences & Engineering

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New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced that all NYC public schools will officially have “meatless Mondays” starting next fall. Carol Parker, program leader for Cornell Cooperative Extension-NYC (CCE-NYC) Nutrition and Health Program Area, says she supports the decision for NYC schools to provide meatless meals on Mondays.

Social & Behavioral Sciences

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Cornell geophysicist Geoffrey Abers analyzes Tuesday's 7.9 magnitude earthquake, which comes ahead of largest seismometer experiment coming to the Alaskan Peninsula. 

Physical Sciences & Engineering

Engineering

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Sarah Kreps, surveillance systems and cybersecurity expert, comments on emerging approaches to smartphone contact tracing to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Arts and Sciences

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As families continue their search for the perfect Christmas tree this season, three Cornell University experts who work closely with New York Christmas tree producers offer advice for picking and preserving holiday trees.

New York State

Agriculture and Life Sciences

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Historian Adrienne Rose Johnson specializes in the history and culture of American food, but this Thanksgiving, she says, forget about the feast and remember our history of giving thanks.

Arts and Sciences

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