Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research

New Evidence Links Pollution to Dementia Risk The question isn't just, Are you exercising and eating well? But also, what air are you breathing as you age?

The question isn't just, are you exercising and eating well? But also, what air are you breathing as you age? There is new evidence that links air pollution to dementia risk on our Evidence-Based Living blog on @psychologytoday.com.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evid...

We've been reflecting on our history - the people and programs making the BCTR into what it is today.

We're leveraging over 50 years of our past to shape our future, with an eye toward research that provides a positive impact for our communities.

CNN Newsroom - Kimberly Kopko Powered by SnapStream Cloud Sharing

Our managing director, Kim Kopko, touched on why The Contribution Project, led by @purposecommons.bsky.social resonates with youth on CNN.
-human element and sense of connections
-youth want to engage and contribute and do good in the world

See the conversation:
video.snapstream.net/Play/6iMi4Rp...

Finding happiness through purpose: Cornell study shows it’s not about the money | CNN Dr. Anthony Burrow, Associate Professor of Psychology at Cornell University, joins Smerconish to discuss new research on the link between purpose and happiness.

Our Anthony Burrow was on @cnn.com Saturday to talk about how purpose can be a catalyst for happiness. The Contribution Project is as an example of young people craving an opportunity to make a difference and how that benefits their mental health and well-being.
Watch: www.cnn.com/2025/10/25/h...

Column | A 6-year research project found a surprisingly simple route to happiness How can we stay happy in an age gone mad, when it feels as though all is unstable? A study out of Cornell suggests a practical way to keep ourselves on a meaningful path — a happiness hack for our cha...

Purpose as a path to happiness? Anthony Burrow told Dana Milbank from @washingtonpost.com that it can be. Of note, how The Contribution Project, launched at Cornell and now run by @purposecommons.bsky.social higlights positive effects contributors feel after making contributions. wapo.st/4nlKw7c

We were proud to hold a Head Start & Early Education Summit at @cornelltech.bsky.social on Sept. 6. It was an important conversation on early childhood education programs and a nod to the legacy of our center's namesake, Urie Bronfenbrenner, who was instrumental in creating the Head Start program.

Here is a fantastic opportunity for a postdoc!

We're so happy for Kim as she takes on this new role!

Grant will fund first-of-its-kind National Youth Purpose Survey | Cornell Chronicle The Purpose Science and Innovation Exchange, an initiative in the College of Human Ecology that launched in April to study the burgeoning field of purpose, has received a $3 million grant from the Joh...

Big news! @cornellpsix.bsky.social received a $3m grant from the John Templeton Foundation to futher research on purpose, including the first-of-its-kind National Youth Purpose Survey. It survey will measure how youth across the country think and feel about purpose.

news.cornell.edu/stories/2025...

A big thank you to Provost Kavita Bala and Cornell Human Ecology Dean Rachel Dunifon for coming to our retreat yesterday and speaking with those working in our various projects. We appreciate you taking the time to answer our questions, and we truly value the insight you shared with us!

4-H teens come to Cornell to explore potential career paths | Cornell Chronicle Cornell hosted more than 180 middle and high school students from across New York state for the annual 4-H Career Explorations Conference, held June 25-27.

Imagine having a program where you, as a teen, can explore possible career paths and experience what it's like to live on a college campus. New York State 4-H gives teens from across the state that opportunity every year!
news.cornell.edu/stories/2025...

Leitão, Loeckenhoff receive BCTR fellowships - Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research Two Human Ecology faculty members have recently been awarded fellowships from the Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research (BCTR). Corinna Loeckenhoff, the Janet and Gordon Lankton Professor o...

The newest BCTR fellows truly embody our mission and are embedded in translational research. Congratulations to Renata Leitão, our newest Evalyn Edwards Milman Fellow, and Corinna Loeckenhoff, our newest Rebecca Q. and James C. Morgan Engaged Faculty Fellow.
bctr.cornell.edu/leitao-loeck...

Jenny Weil Malatras ’02 returns to Cornell to lead NYC extension efforts - Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research Jenny Weil Malatras ’02 fondly remembers a pivotal moment during her time as a Cornell student. She was studying in the Botanic Gardens with a friend when the conversation shifted […]

Jenny Weil Malatras '02 returns home as the new director of Cornell University Cooperative Extension - New York City, leading our extension efforts in the city that center on nutrition, family and youth development, urban agriculture, and science/STEM education. bctr.cornell.edu/jenny-weil-m...

Snapshot shows Cornell’s impact on local economy | Cornell Chronicle Cornell drives economic growth in Ithaca and region via student and visitor spending, increased entrepreneurship, taxes and fees, and contributions to local municipalities and nonprofits.

Cornell drives local economic growth in Ithaca and New York!

$23.2M raised in 2024 by Rev Startup Incubator, Praxis Center and Center for Life Science Ventures & $23M in research funding invested in our community.

See how we're boosting economies in Ithaca, NY and Tompkins County 📈 bit.ly/4mzigP5

Should you ever cut ties with your parents? Estrangement between parents and their children is surprisingly common – this is what research says about making such a difficult decision.

While there is no data on whether family estrangements are becoming more common, the BCTR's Karl Pillemer tells the BBC he believes it is becoming more common, and that may not necessarily be a bad thing.
www.bbc.co.uk/future/artic...

What we're reading this week:
A study of 17K Canadian teens shows feeling richer or poorer than peers shapes how much meaning teens feel in life—esp. for girls + gender-diverse youth in unequal schools.
It's not about $ — it's about belonging.
🧠 Thoughts?
doi.org/10.1016/j.ss...
#YouthMentalHealth

What we’re reading this week at PSiX:

A recent study followed adults 50+ over 12 years and found that people who felt a strong sense of purpose tended to stay healthier over time.

📑 : doi.org/10.1177/0890...

❓ What gives you a sense of purpose these days—and how does it impact your well-being?

Students show off research projects during annual poster symposium - Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research A wide array of research projects was displayed at the annual Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research (BCTR) Poster Symposium on May 1 in the Physical Sciences Building. This year, the […]

Thank you to the students who presented at our BCTR Poster Symposium on May 1. Students from across Cornell and other institutions are helping faculty with research that is making a difference, we're happy you took an opportunity to showcase your work.
bctr.cornell.edu/students-sho...

Four faculty receive 2025 Carpenter Advising Awards | Cornell Chronicle Nominations are solicited annually from all members of the academic community, the awards bestowed in recognition of the importance of undergraduate advising.

Congrats to Corinna Loeckenhoff on your 2025 Kendall S. Carpenter Memorial Advising Award! Loeckenhoff directs the gerontology minor in the BCTR, and is a co-investigator for the Translational Research Institute on Pain in Later Life.
news.cornell.edu/stories/2025...

Veteran 4-H leader Alexa Maille to guide NYS 4-H into the future - Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research After a national search, Alexa Maille ’04 was appointed director of the New York State 4-H Youth Development Program. Maille has held key leadership roles with NYS 4-H, serving as […]

Alexa Maille has deep roots in New York State 4-H and understands the needs of today's youth, so we're excited to have her as the next director of NYS 4-H!
bctr.cornell.edu/veteran-4-h-...

Prince Harry's estrangement isn't unique: Here's how to negotiate cutting family ties Harry's emotional admission of estrangement reveals the challenge of fixing a common family conflict.

More than 25% of Americans have cut ties with a family member according to a 2020 study by the BCTR's Karl Pillemer. Estrangement can happen in any family, even the publicized situation with the royal family. But how do you try to end the rift between family members?
www.salon.com/2025/05/10/p...

Homeschooling rates soar after COVID-19 "I feel like it's more concentrated on me and not 20 or 25 people, however many are in the class. It's more on me than anybody else."

The number of children in New York State being homeschooled is increasing. Does that mean they're missing out on social interactions? Kim Kopko from The Parenting Project says more interactions don't necessarily mean better interactions. www.wbng.com/2025/05/06/h...

Finding purpose and beauty, Contribution Project expands its reach | Cornell Chronicle The project - which has expanded to four SUNY schools and to younger kids nationally - has disbursed more than $500,000 to over 1,300 participants, bolstering young people's sense of agency, community...

It started in 2019 w/ 50 students. It's now a nationwide project that has a global impact.

The Contribution Project, from the BCTR, @cornellpsix.bsky.social, and Purpose Commons, has given over $500K to more than 1,300 people to make contributions of all types. news.cornell.edu/stories/2025...

Our undergraduate students are amazing. These students have been working on translational research with faculty and they got to present their work during the BTCR Poster Symposium. We had nearly 120 people stop by and see nearly 50 incredible research projects.

Commentary: Bell-to-bell ban on cellphones in schools is best approach Phones disrupt not only children's academic growth, but their social growth as well.

No phones during the school day? Our Kim Kopko says it is the right move as the devices can stunt development socially and academically.
www.timesunion.com/opinion/arti...

We're so excited to have PSiX in our center. PSiX is at the forefront of some amazing research around purpose which makes this project very exciting and beneficial for all of us!

Temperatures are increasing. The aging population is also increasing. This means climate change poses a large threat to older adults, and some are taking action.
geriatrics-palliative.weill.cornell.edu/about-us/new...

Give to Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research (BCTR) Scholars | Cornell Giving Day I’m ready to support Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research (BCTR) Scholars on March 13, 2025 during Cornell Giving Day. Learn more about Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research (BC...

It's Cornell Giving Day and you can provide the resources students need to reach for the stars, especially our BCTR Scholars. They work with Ithaca-based community organizations to improve our community. Support the BCTR Scholars. givingday.cornell.edu/campaigns/br...

Neuroscience helps teachers empower students and themselves | Cornell Chronicle The program from the Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research provides student teachers an understanding on the neuroscience behind children’s learning and development and encourages them to p...

The BCTR is home to the Community Neuroscience Initiative, which is making neuroscience accessible to everyone - like student teachers at SUNY Oswego and SUNY Cortland, as well as children in the Syracuse City School District.

Cutting a Parent Out of Your Life Isn’t Always the Right Solution Popular culture paints going “no contact” as the best way to deal with hard family relationships. But it’s not always the right choice

If dealing with your parents is difficult or traumatic, cutting off all communication with them might be tempting. But that's not always the best choice, says Karl Pillemer. Read why in this opinion piece he co-wrote for @sciam.bsky.social. www.scientificamerican.com/article/cutt...