Director of News and Editorial Communications

Tom Breen

Tom Breen has been at UConn since 2012, serving as a news writer, deputy spokesperson, manager for special projects, UConn Today editor, and, as of January 2021, director of news and editorial communications. Prior to UConn, he worked as a reporter for The Associated Press, covering health care, religion, and state government in West Virginia and North Carolina, and before the AP, he worked at newspapers in Connecticut and Massachusetts. He is the author of two books about Christianity and contemporary culture, and has published short fiction in many periodicals and anthologies. A second-generation Husky, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2000. He is the co-founder of the award-winning UConn 360 podcast and has given presentations on UConn history to community groups throughout Connecticut. He lives in Manchester, is active in volunteer organizations, and recommends that you try the coconut flavor at the Dairy Bar.

Author Archive

UConn Law School at night. (Sean Flynn/UConn Photo)

Alum Establishes Human Rights Award for UConn Law Students

Paul Schneider ’18 LLM created the award for law students who pursue social justice

July 13, 2021 | Jennifer Eburg, UConn Foundation

Alumni
To protect consumers, the FDA needs to strike a balance between quickly getting lifesaving drugs out to market and rigorously ensuring their safety.

The FDA’s Weak Drug Manufacturing Oversight is a Potentially Deadly Problem

The loss of tens of millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses due to poor manufacturing oversight underscores the value of inspections

July 2, 2021 | Adrian V. Hernandez and C. Michael White, UConn School of Pharmacy

Centers that do not participate in CACFP are less likely to serve healthier options, such as nonfat or low-fat dairy and whole grains, and less likely to serve fruits and vegetables with meals.

Federal Child Care Nutrition Program Helps Centers Provide Healthier Options to Children

Study shows childcare centers not participating in the program are less likely to meet state nutrition standards

June 29, 2021 | Kristin Messina, UConn Rudd Center

The snake's flickering tongue generates two pairs of small, swirling masses of air, or vortices, that act like tiny fans, pulling odors in from each side and jetting them directly into the path of each tongue tip.

Smelling in Stereo: The Real Reason Snakes Have Flicking, Forked Tongues

Long misunderstood, snake tongues have fascinated naturalists for centuries

June 25, 2021 | Kurt Schwenk, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Understanding flood damage risks is especially important in Connecticut, where high density development is common along the shoreline.

Don’t Get Soaked: Flood Damage Could Lessen if Cities Build Smarter

More pavement means more damage from floods

June 24, 2021 | Ryley McGinnis for UConn Today

Community Impact Research & Discovery
A new drug has raised hopes for people with Alzheimer's disease, but the FDA has taken a major risk by approving it before comprehensive clinical trials have been conducted.

The FDA’s Big Gamble on a New Alzheimer’s Drug

No one knows yet if the new drug will demonstrate significant benefits for patients

June 18, 2021 | C. Michael White, School of Pharmacy

As fast-food companies increase their spending on advertising, they are disproportionately targeting young Black and Latino people, according to new research.

Rudd Center: New Study Finds Fast-Food Companies Spending More on Advertising, Disproportionately Targeting Black and Latino Youth

Industry spent $5 billion on advertising in 2019, and Black youth viewed 75% more ads than their white peers 

June 17, 2021 | Kristin Messina, UConn Rudd Center

The Cato Institute

The Limits of Force in Israel-Palestine

June 15, 2021 | Tom Breen

An illustration of hands pointing at a woman who is overweight. A new study examines the experience of weight stigma across six different countries.

Weight Stigma is a Burden Around the World – and Has Negative Consequences Everywhere

Contrary to public perceptions, weight stigma does not motivate people to lose weight; it worsens health and reduces quality of life

June 11, 2021 | Rebecca Puhl, Professor of Human Development and Family Sciences and Deputy Director, UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity

The oak leaf seal of the University of Connecticut.

An Update on UConn’s Policy Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination

The goal of the policy is to safeguard health and wellness on UConn's campuses

June 4, 2021 | Interim President Dr. Andrew Agwunobi

University News