© University of Rochester 1996-2012
“They invented him, we stole him.” —Thomas Hahn, joking in the Times (UK) Higher Education, in a story about the popularity of the English legend of Robin Hood on American campuses. Hahn, a professor of English who helped organize a biennial international conference on Robin Hood held at Rochester this fall, says part of the legendary character’s enduring appeal is that he can be used to underscore a wide range of political, culture, and social arguments.
“We’re all in this together.”—Kevin Fiscella, an associate professor of family medicine, talking about the efforts of public health officials to consider the nation’s more than 11 million illegal immigrants when mapping out plans for vaccinating people against H1N1 flu.
“Nutrition is not a simple thing that can be distilled down into a label. There’s a tendency for people to overinterpret what a specific number means.”—Richard Kreipe, a professor of pediatrics and adolescent medicine, suggesting that an overemphasis on calorie counting can actually foster eating disorders.
“That’s why it’s called the dismal science, I guess.”—Mark Zupan, dean of the Simon School and a professor of economics and public policy, commenting on economic projections that hiring for the holiday season will be flat or lower in comparison to last year.
“I might be more inclined to order a strawberry daiquiri, but if I’m out with a bunch of male colleagues, I’m more likely to order a Manhattan or a Scotch.”—Stephanie Gamble, an assistant professor of psychiatry, discussing increasing regular alcohol consumption by women and a tendency for women in a male-dominated arena to drink not only to ease stress but also to fit in.
“I don’t think the awards are too ‘Eurocentric,’ but I do think we’d benefit from seeing more writers from Asia, South America, Africa on the list.”—Chad Post, director of the University’s Open Letter Books, reacting to the news that the 2009 Nobel Prize for Literature went to Romanian-born German writer Herta Mueller.
“We should assume until it’s proven otherwise that it’s reproductively toxic to humans.” —Shanna Swan, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology and the director of the Center for Reproductive Epidemiology, evaluating the effects of phthalates during gestation.
“Young adults are generally a healthy population, but many risky behaviors peak in young adulthood and few resources are available for this population.”—Robert Fortuna, a senior instructor of medicine and pediatrics, describing possible reasons as to why the mortality rate of young adults is twice that of teens.
“Although we don’t know exactly why, exercise seems to have a protective effect for women in this age group.”—Lisa Sprod, a research assistant professor of radiation oncology, commenting on a study she authored showing that women 30 years and older who exercised more than 60 minutes a week have a decreased risk of breast cancer.
© University of Rochester 1996-2012