Lew, if it is a hoax, it is a damn good one.
Prof. Scarlett Miller and Christine Toh are indeed at PSU. And they are interested in the very subject of this research as shown in their PSU profiles,
http://www.personal.psu.edu/cot5015/
http://www.personal.psu.edu/shm13/
But if it is a huge concern, call Prof. Miller and ask if she is running research, 814-863-4143