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2023-2024 Year in Review
Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship (2025-07-16)
2023-2024 Annual Review published by the staff of the Leland C. and Mary M. Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship (PIHE) at Cornell University's Nolan School of Hotel Administration.
The Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Urban Vegetation Phenology by Local Climate Zone and Urbanization Level
Liu, Ruihan (2025-05)
This report is for a capstone project for Cornell MPS, concentration Geospatial Applications, to illustrate mastery of a complex geospatial analysis. It used a wide variety of techniques and tools. The project investigated an important topic in the context of the urban environment under climate variability: the spatial-temporal distribution of vegetation phenology in Beijing, focusing on the impacts of local climate zones (LCZ) and urbanization levels. Using MODIS MCD12Q2 data, we analyzed the start of season (SOS), end of season (EOS), and length of season (LOS) across different urbanization gradients and LCZs. Results reveal that urbanized regions exhibit earlier SOS and longer LOS, while natural areas have a later EOS and shorter LOS. LCZs with lower density buildings tend to have a more extended growing season. These findings underscore the significance of urbanization and LCZ in shaping vegetation phenology, providing valuable insights into climate change adaptation and urban ecological management.
Traminette: Cold-Climate Adaptability and Sensory Identity
Zhang, Yu (2025-05)
Traminette, a hybrid grape cultivar developed through a cross between Gewürztraminer and Joannes Seyve 23.416, has emerged as a benchmark for sustainable viticulture in cold-climate regions. Combining high aromatic potential with exceptional resilience, it offers a unique model for both ecological and market adaptability. This poster presents a comprehensive study that integrates a cross-regional viticultural comparison (New York’s Finger Lakes and Northern China’s Heilongjiang) with a controlled sensory evaluation that contrasts Traminette with its vinifera parent, Gewürztraminer. The goal is to contextualize Traminette as a solution for climate-resilient wine production while examining its distinct sensory identity.
Comparing Traditional Turfgrass Lawns with Native Lawns: An Ecological and Economic Perspective
Tsignadze, Maia (2025-05)
Urban landscapes across the United States have long been dominated by traditional turfgrass lawns, which are resource-intensive and offer limited ecological value (Milesi et al., 2005; Robbins & Birkenholtz, 2003). In contrast, native lawns—composed of regionally adapted, low-growing plant species—are gaining attention for their potential to enhance urban sustainability through improved biodiversity, water conservation, and ecosystem services (Tallamy, 2009; Nassauer et al., 2014). This project compares the ecological and economic impacts of traditional turfgrass lawns with native lawns, focusing on establishment and maintenance costs, biodiversity support, water use efficiency, carbon sequestration, and overall ecosystem health. A comparative analysis methodology was employed, integrating secondary data collection, cost comparison, and environmental impact assessment. Data were gathered from industry reports, environmental organizations, and a case study of the Cornell Botanic Gardens Native Lawn Demonstration Project to evaluate key indicators such as chemical inputs, maintenance requirements, and ecosystem services. While turfgrass lawns are often preferred for their aesthetic appeal and cultural familiarity, they are increasingly recognized as ecologically and economically unsustainable in many regions (Polsky et al., 2014). Results indicate that native lawns offer substantial long-term cost savings, greater biodiversity support, and reduced environmental harm due to lower chemical and water input requirements. By evaluating and comparing both systems, this study supports sustainable landscape design and urban planning and promote wider adoption of native lawns in residential and public spaces.
A Review: Food Synergy Effect between Chaga Mushroom and Chocolate - with Product Development Prototype
Zhang, Yuning (2025-05)
As nutrition science develops, it becomes more clear that the health effects of food cannot be fully explained by isolated nutrients alone. The concept of food synergy suggests that interactions between natural compounds - within and between whole foods - can produce biological effects greater than the sum of their parts. This review explores a new synergy possibility between two ingredients with traditional and modern interest: Inonotus obliquus (Chaga mushroom) and Theobroma cacao (cocoa). Although each of them has been studied individually for antioxidant activity, cognitive benefits, immune modulation, and gut health, there is still no structured model that investigates their combined potential. Through examination of their major bioactive classes - including triterpenoids, melanins, flavanols, and polysaccharides -this review identifies overlapping health domains and possible points of biochemical cooperation. It also discusses how cocoa’s lipid matrix may help improve the bioavailability of Chaga’s fat-soluble compounds, and how both may act together on antioxidant gene expression and gut-brain pathways. Furthermore, this paper addresses the challenges in studying food synergy, such as regulatory limitations and lack of clinical studies, and suggests systems biology and formulation science as future directions. By focusing on Chaga and cocoa as a pair, this review proposes not only a new functional food concept, but also a wider theoretical model that may help guide future research in the field of synergistic nutrition. It shows how combining traditional knowledge with modern scientific thinking can bring new understanding in the creation of multi-target, holistic dietary solutions.