Tip sheet

Wayne State University experts are available
to comment on trending topics for April

Let us help you cover the news. Our public relations team can connect you with faculty experts and scholars, as well as guide you to the latest Wayne State University news. Each month, our PR team compiles a list of university experts who can speak about trending topics and significant milestones. Links to our expert profiles contain detailed biographical information to help you find the most relevant expert for your story needs. If you are a journalist, please inform us of deadline requests and we will respond promptly.

To reach an expert, please send an email to Bill Roose.

Table of Contents
Monthy Observances and Historic Moments
WSU Campus Events
Current Topics in the News
Archive Topics

APRIL'S OBSERVANCES AND HISTORIC MOMENTS

AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH
There is a shortage of special education teachers, particularly those who are prepared to teach children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Amanda Miller, Ph.D., professor of inclusive education, is ready to discuss this shortage and how the university is preparing educators to meet the needs of ASD students through its autism spectrum teaching endorsement program.
Cheryl Somers, Ph.D., professor and school psychologist, is an expert in evaluation, diagnosis, special education and school-based programming. She helps parents understand evaluation and diagnosis, including the special education, identification and services processes.
Krista Clancy, Ph.D., an associate professor of applied behavior analysis in the College of Education, is an expert in early diagnosis and intervention as well as the intensive nature of the ABA intervention process. She is particularly knowledgeable about how to work with the very severe.
Leah Ketcheson, Ph.D., assistant professor in Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies and program coordinator of health and physical education at Wayne State University, currently develops, implements, and tests a variety of interventions for youth with autism, and their parents.

DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS MONTH
Statistics show that a growing number of automobile accidents occur because a driver is distracted. How are we working to eliminate the distracted driver threat, and does that involve creating new laws? Our expert can discuss the phenomenon of distracted driving and how motorists can protect themselves.

Randall Commissaris, Ph.D., associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences in the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, has done extensive research on distracted driving. His research group studies the effects of drugs and other distractions — including texting and driving performance — using a driving simulator.

MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS AWARENESS MONTH
This month we celebrate mathematics and statistics and the diverse researchers and students in these fields who are contributing so much to furthering discoveries, solving problems, and finding beauty in our world.

Dan Isaksen, Ph.D., professor of mathematics, can speak about various mathematics topics including complex discussions about algebraic geometry, number theory, algebraic K-theory, partial differential equations, cryptography and mathematics education.

NATIONAL MINORITY HEALTH MONTH
This year’s theme, “Be the Source for Better Health,” centers on the importance of improving health outcomes through our cultures, communities, and connections. Physical activity promotes health and reduces the risk of chronic diseases and other conditions that are more common among racial and ethnic minority groups.

Hayley S. Thompson, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Oncology at Wayne State School of Medicine and runs CHECK-UP (Center for Health Equity and Community Knowledge in Urban Populations). She can elaborate on the center’s efforts to increase health equity in Detroit and in Michigan through its collaborations with community and corporate partners.

SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH
Sexual Assault Awareness Month calls attention to the fact that sexual violence is widespread and impacts every person in the community. SAAM aims to raise public awareness about sexual violence and educate communities on how to prevent it.

Larmender Davis, Ph.D., a licensed social worker and director of Wayne State’s Office of Sexual Violence Prevention and Education, is a 25-year veteran in the domestic violence and sexual assault field.

STRESS AWARENESS MONTH
There is no single definition for stress, but the most common explanation is physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension. While not all stress is bad, long-term stress can have harmful impacts on physical and mental health.

Mark Lumley, Ph.D., distinguished professor of psychology, is prepared to discuss topics such as emotions, stress and physical health. Much of the research conducted by Lumley, his students and his colleagues involve developing emotion-focused interventions to reduce stress and improve health.
Kristen Kaszeta, associate professor and program coordinator in the lifestyle fitness activities program in the Division of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies, can offer tips for helping students manage their final exams and/or making the college-to-career transition as stress-free as possible.

GREAT NORTH AMERICAN ECLIPSE – APRIL 8
The solar eclipse will move across the U.S., and for those that live along the path of totality, they may be able to enjoy the sight of the sun’s corona during the total solar eclipse. The path of totality will start in Mexico and move across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine before heading out over the North Atlantic. Small portions of Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee will also experience almost the entirety of the eclipse.

Megan McCullen, Ph.D., director of the Wayne State Planetarium, is looking forward to the solar eclipse, calling it a once in a lifetime experience. She will be traveling to the Cleveland area where the totality of the eclipse is expected to last longer than in southeastern Michigan – approximately four minutes.
Ed Cackett, Ph.D., chair and professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, is an astronomer interested in neutron stars and black holes.

INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S BOOK DAY – APRIL 2
How important is literacy to the intellectual and cultural health of the United States? Our expert can address this and other topics related to this recognition day.

Kathleen Crawford-McKinney, Ph.D., associate professor of reading, language and literature, can discuss the importance of literacy and share tips for raising voracious readers.

NATIONAL BEER DAY – APRIL 7
Michigan is leading the charge with a proliferation of craft beer makers, stores and breweries. What is behind the popularity of craft beers, and is this phenomenon boosting the state’s economic base?

Steve Firestine, Ph.D., professor of pharmaceutical sciences, is an expert in the history and chemistry of beer. He is also proficient in the areas of biochemistry, organic chemistry, drug discovery, anti-infective agents (antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal) and infectious disease.

NATIONAL AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL) DAY – APRIL 15
American Sign Language (ASL) is used by those who cannot hear or speak — usually by people of the deaf community. ASL is also used by those who can speak and hear but need to communicate with those who cannot.

Emily Noschese, Ph.D., who is fourth-generation deaf, is an assistant professor of bilingual and bicultural education for American Sign Language in the College of Education. Her research interests include sign language documentation, bilingual (ASL/English) education, and sign language linguistics, and she has helped develop WSU’s ASL curriculum and program.

EARTH DAY – APRIL 22
It has been 50 years since the first Earth Day celebration. The movement was born on the campuses of American universities and colleges and in the public school systems, and has grown into a massive discussion about how best to protect the environment. What real-life solutions have arisen from Earth Day, and how have we significantly changed the course of potentially dangerous environmental practices over the years? Our experts can discuss this and more.

Donna Kashian, Ph.D., professor and director of environmental science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has developed physical and mathematical methods to improve water-quality monitoring.
Bill Shuster, Ph.D., professor and chair of civil and environmental engineering, has conducted groundbreaking field research in a nationwide assessment of urban soils for their suitability in development of engineered green infrastructures.

WSU CAMPUS EVENTS

DEPARTMENT OF AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES 35TH ANNIVERSARY — APRIL 12
On April 13, 1989, in the tradition of the Black Liberation Movement, African American students launched a “Study-In” protest. They occupied the Helen Newberry Joy Student Services Center for 11 days and issued 17 demands, including a degree-granting Black Studies department. Their negotiations resulted in the creation of the Department of Africana Studies in 1990. The student and community leaders who transformed WSU with their activism, commitment, and vision will be honored at this event. For more information, email Professor Ollie Johnson.

SHAKESPEARE AND BASEBALL – APRIL 15
Shakespeare and baseball are monuments of high and popular culture: Shakespeare is the most widely read and staged playwright in the world, and baseball is America’s game. Ohio University Professor Samuel Crowl, a prize-winning teacher and international scholar of Shakespeare on film, explores his life as a champion of the Bard and a fan of the Detroit Tigers. Crowl finds unexpected connections between his twin subjects, including beer, which funded and fueled both the establishment of Major League Baseball clubs, like the Yankees and Cardinals. For more information, contact Associate Professor M.L. Liebler at 586-294-7378.

TAKE BACK THE NIGHT – APRIL 19
Take Back the Night is an annual event at Wayne State that raises awareness on sexual violence issues and acknowledge April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This event, from 5-8 p.m., gives the opportunity for survivors and others to come together in a safe environment and share their experiences with violence. It is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Danielle Reeves at 313-577-9220.

THE SHOP AT TECHTOWN DETROIT – APRIL 24
Join us for TechTown Detroit’s monthly retail pop-up marketplace, The SHOP, taking place in person at TechTown Detroit! The SHOP will feature products and services available to purchase from several local small business owners. For more information, contact TechTown Detroit at 313-879-5250.

MIDDLE EASTERN AND NORTH AFRICAN PRE-COMMENCEMENT CELEBRATION – APRIL 26
This event is dedicated to recognizing student graduates of Middle Eastern and North African descent during the 2023-24 academic year. For more information about this memorable occasion to shine a spotlight on our MENA graduates' success, contact Ranae Hamama.

BLACK GRADUATION CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE – APRIL 27
An African-centered ceremony that honors undergraduate, graduate and professional school students who have successfully completed their studies at Wayne State University will be held from 12-2 p.m. at the WSU Fieldhouse. It is not an alternative graduation, but rather a celebration of success and is open to people from all backgrounds and identities. For more information, email Stephanie Hawkes.

EL NUEVO COMIENZO GRADUATION CELEBRATION — APRIL 29
An El Nuevo Comienzo ceremony that honors undergraduate, graduate and professional school students who have successfully completed their studies at Wayne State University will be held from 6-8 p.m. at the Student Center Ballroom. It provides a time and space for honoring the support and contributions of family, friends, mentors and the community. For more information, email Melissa Miranda-Morse.

CURRENT TOPICS IN THE NEWS

MEASLES
Michigan is currently ripe for a measles outbreak, as cases of the highly contagious disease climb across the U.S. and globally. According to state health officials, vaccination rates for recommended childhood immunizations have dropped to 66% among Michigan toddlers.

Teena Chopra, M.D., M.P.H., professor of Infectious Diseases at Wayne State University, is an expert with the Center for Emerging and Infectious Diseases.

SYPHILIS ON THE RISE IN THE U.S.
Total cases of syphilis surpassed 207,000 in 2022, a 17% increase and the highest count in the United States since 1950, according to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Shira Heisler, M.D., assistant professor of infectious diseases at Wayne State School of Medicine, is available to talk about syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases.

CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
The Michigan Poison & Drug Information Center at the Wayne State University School of Medicine advises all Michiganders to be prepared and safe during the challenges that may come with winter weather, especially in regard to carbon monoxide.

Varun Vohra, M.D., a clinical toxicologist and managing/academic director of the Michigan Poison & Drug Information Center, is available to talk about the warning signs that some people may experience when exposed to carbon monoxide.

FILING 2023 FEDERAL TAXES
The Internal Revenue Service is encouraging taxpayers to take important actions to help them file their 2023 federal tax returns. What steps should taxpayers take now to make tax filing easier in 2024? What's new and what key items do taxpayers need to consider before they file next year?

Hillel Nadler, J.D., assistant professor of law at Wayne State’s Law School, focuses his research on taxation and financial regulation and has written on issues that impact the global financial system. He is available to discuss changes to the 2023 federal tax codes.

ISRAEL-HAMAS CONFLICT CONTINUTES
On October 7, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented assault on Israel with hundreds of gunmen infiltrating communities near the Gaza Strip. In response, Israel’s military has carried out air strikes leaving thousands of Palestinians reported dead.

Saeed Khan, associate professor of teaching in near Eastern Studies and research fellow at Wayne State’s Center for Study of Citizenship. He is currently teaching courses on the Islamic Empires, Islam and the challenge of modernity and an introduction to global issues and institutions.
Howard Lupovitch, Ph.D., professor of history and director of the Cohn-Haddow Center for Judaic Studies. He specializes in modern Jewish history, specifically the Jews of Hungary and Habsburg Monarchy. He recently completed a history of the Jews of Budapest and is currently writing a history of the Neolog Movement, Hungarian Jewry’s progressive wing.

ARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCE IN EDUCATION
Since launching in late 2022, ChatGPT has been an extraordinary hit. The AI program can churn out answers to the biggest questions in life, and draw up school essays, fictional stories, and much more. But there are mounting global concerns over the impact on education, and potential for plagiarism, with its ability to produce high-quality essays with minimal human input.

Jared Grogan, Ph.D., an associate professor of teaching in the English Department at the College of Liberal Arts, is available to discuss ChatGPT as a writing aid and a potential equity tool in higher education.
Ke Zhang, Ph.D., professor of learning design and technology in the College of Education at Wayne State, is available to discuss e-learning, mobile learning, emerging learning technologies (e.g., VR, AI, etc.), mobile health technologies, problem solving, and national and international policies regarding e-learning and mobile learning.

ATHLETES’ MENTAL HEALTH
Athletes have been talking openly about their mental health struggles dealing with the pressures of competitions and living the life of a high-profile celebrity. A topic once considered taboo in sports has now moved to the forefront.

Jeff Williams, assistant athletic director for mental health and wellness, and a licensed clinical social worker, can speak to the mental toll that educational and collegiate athletics takes on student-athletes at all levels of competition.

CLIMATE CHANGE
Flooding and mudslides grew as winter storms battered California residents up and down the Golden Coast in January. The storms, which began on New Year's Eve and lasted a few weeks, killed at least 17 people, and led to evacuation orders for nearly 100,000 residents across the state. What role did climate change play in this "conveyer belt" of storms?

Donna Kashian, Ph.D., a professor and director of Environmental Science in the Department of Biological Sciences at Wayne State, is available to discuss anthropogenic changes to our climate. She is also a visiting scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Bill Shuster, Ph.D., a professor and chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the College of Engineering at Wayne State, is available to discuss flooding in urban centers related to climate change.
Matt Seeger, Ph.D., a distinguished professor in the Department of Communication at Wayne State, can talk about crisis and emergency risk communication, warning systems, alerts, and informational needs in disasters.
Yaoxian Huang, Ph.D., an assistant professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the College of Engineering at Wayne State, can discuss atmospheric chemistry, climate change and pollutants.
Tam Perry, Ph.D., an associate professor in the School of Social Work at Wayne State, can talk about climate change impacts on an aging population.

GLOBAL FOOD INSECURITIES
As global populations increase, concerns about food scarcity and prices arise as every night an estimated 828 million people go to bed hungry, according to the World Food Program, a United Nations organization focusing on providing food assistance globally.

Diane Cress, Ph.D., is a registered dietitian and an associate professor in Wayne State's Department of Nutrition and Food Science. The work she does aims to address issues of access to healthful food, a basic human right. A nutrition expert both in the community and in the classroom, she is working to create change through food policy programs, food access programs, and nutrition education programs.

LIBRARIES HAVE BECOME BATTLEFIELDS
Libraries are at the center of another polarizing debate dividing the U.S. in the ongoing culture wars. Efforts by elected officials and activist groups to censor books have escalated to levels unseen in decades, placing librarians on the front lines of a battle for intellectual freedom and book bans.

Tom Walker, Ph.D., interim dean and professor of Wayne State University Libraries and School of Information Sciences, says while academic libraries may feel some of this political pressure less than some public libraries, including several in Michigan, he is very aware and available to speak to this growing movement.

LONELINESS EPIDEMIC
Even though the COVID-19 global health emergency is officially over, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is warning the U.S. faces a loneliness epidemic in its wake. How is society to foster a culture of human connection?

Thomas Jankowski, Ph.D., associate director for research at the Institute of Gerontology and the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute, and adjunct professor of gerontology and political science, has researched loneliness and isolation in older people, and is available to address the topic specifically as it pertains to that population.
Anne Di Iorio-Fitzpatrick, LMSW, a clinician of the Counseling and Psychological Services After-hours Program at Wayne State, provides after-hours clinical crisis support to WSU students experiencing mental health emergencies as well as individual counseling, group therapy and community outreach.

MASS SHOOTINGS
Shootings in schools and in public spaces such as movie theaters, grocery stores, shopping malls and dance halls continue to dominate the news. They have commanded public attention on a disturbingly frequent basis across America. But what is being done to stop the carnage?

Pontus Leander, Ph.D., professor of psychology and chair of the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, can talk about public reactions to and the social psychology of mass shootings, as well as the psychology of hate crime denial.

MICHIGAN'S 'RED FLAG' LAW
In May 2023, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a red flag law that aims to keep firearms away from those at risk of harming themselves or others as the state grapples with ways to slow gun violence in the wake of the Michigan State University shooting.

Alaina DeBiasi, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, researches the causes and consequences of firearm violence, leveraging police and ATF data systems to explore illicit firearm markets.

MUSIC REDUCES STRESS
A study conducted by Wayne State University School of Medicine and Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute researchers and physicians has found that patients who listened to music while undergoing chemotherapy showed significant benefit in improved positive mood and reduced distress during treatment.

Felicity Harper, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist, and professor of oncology and associate center director of population sciences at Wayne State School of Medicine, can speak to the findings of her team’s research involving music medicine which is a low-touch, low-risk and cost-effective way to manage patients’ psychological wellbeing in the often-stressful context of a cancer infusion clinic.

PRESIDENT CARTER
One of four U.S. presidents to ever win the Nobel Peace Prize, former President Jimmy Carter, the longest living president in American history, entered hospice care at his Georgia home in February 2023. During his four years in office, Carter sought to restore trust in government following the Vietnam War and Watergate, and he negotiated the Camp David accords making peace between Israel and Egypt. But his post-presidency, on a series of philanthropic causes around the world, like helping to renovate 4,300 houses for the poor, and promoting human rights, eventually earning him the Nobel Prize.

Liette Gidlow, Ph.D., a professor of U.S. history in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wayne State, is comfortable talking about the Carter presidency and sharing a few little-known anecdotes about the 39th President of the United States.

SOUTHERN U.S. BORDER
Chaos and potential migrant surge could soon be triggered by an imminent policy shift at the southern U.S. border. The expiry of a Trump-era order that exploited public health justifications during the pandemic to turn away thousands of migrants is expected to severely strain an already stretched border, immigration and asylum system.

Sabrina Balgamwalla, J.D., an assistant professor of law and the director of the Asylum and Immigration Law Clinic at Wayne State, is available to discuss gender, race, and citizenship in immigration policy and enforcement.

ARCHIVE TOPICS

AIR QUALITY ALERT
Smoke from the ongoing massive wildfires burning in Canada continues to drift south into the U.S., affecting air quality in some states, including Michigan. Detroit’s air quality has been unhealthy for sensitive groups, which largely affects children, older adults, and individuals with heart and lung disease, including asthma.

Yaoxian Huang, Ph.D., an atmospheric chemist and assistant professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is available to talk about his research, including a 3-D global chemistry-climate models to quantify impacts of air pollution on regional and global air quality, climate change and public health.
Kezhong Zhang, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry, microbiology and immunology at the Wayne State School of Medicine, is ready to talk about the impact of PM2.5 – the major and most toxic component of the airborne pollutants caused by the wildfires – on the Detroit population with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
Youcheng Liu, Ph.D., is an associate professor of public health in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, who says it’s necessary to talk to the community about personal protection to reduce exposures and potential health impacts from the haze attributed to the Canadian wildfires.
Clara Zundel, Ph.D., is a post-doctorate fellow in Wayne State's THINK lab and an expert on all things related to air pollution and the brain.

AMOXICILLIN SHORTAGE
According to the FDA, a national shortage of different medications, including Amoxicillin, a common antibiotic, is expected to last several months. It is a common antibiotic that we use to treat a variety of childhood infections, including ear infections, strep throat, and pneumonia

Susan Davis, Ph.D., associate dean for Pharmacy at Wayne State's Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, is a relevant expert on pharmacy practices.

AAPI AND ASIAN AMERICAN HATE
Researchers from the SMART Labs at Wayne State University are exploring interpretations and effects of anti-Asian online hate speech in the context of COVID-19. They are investigating how communication is being used for the performance of harmful speech acts on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook.

Stephanie Tong, Ph.D., associate professor of communication, can report on the results of several studies that examine the startling increase of incidents of online harassment against Asian Americans that coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic.

BETTER SLEEP
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommends adults get seven hours of sleep every night. There's evidence that getting less than that not only makes people feel sleepy and fatigued, but also, over time, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

James Rowley, M.D., professor of pulmonary and critical care and sleep medicine at Wayne State University and president-elect of AASM, is available to discuss sleep as essential for health.

Varun Vohra, M.D., a clinical toxicologist and managing/academic director of the Michigan Poison & Drug Information Center, is available to talk about the warning signs that some people may experience when exposed to carbon monoxide.

CHINESE SPY BALLOON
Tensions between the U.S. and China are on the rise again after the Pentagon said it tracked a suspected Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon across the United States before the U.S. military shot it down over the Atlantic Ocean, six miles off the South Carolina coast.

Gregory Fox, J.D., is a professor of law and director of the Program for International Legal Studies at Wayne State. He is a widely cited authority on international law and international organizations and a leader in a variety of academic and professional organizations.

COMMOTIO CORDIS
During a Monday Night Football game, Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin suffered what many experts believe was a cardiac episode known as commotion cordis, caused by a blunt trauma to the chest. Medical experts noted how very important it was that medical personnel were able to restart Hamlin's heart on the field while giving him CPR immediately after he suffered a cardiac arrest on Jan. 2.

Cynthia Bir, Ph.D., a professor and chair of biomedical engineering in WSU's College of Engineering, is a national expert who has done work with the NFL. She has developed a surrogate that has been validated for predicting commotion cordis in youths, which is the population where this injury most often occurs.
Phillip Levy, M.D., M.P.H., is the Edward S. Thomas Endowed Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Wayne State University. He is a leading cardiovascular disease researcher and a fellow of multiple professional societies including the American Heart Association.
Brian O'Neil, M.D., chair of Wayne State's Department of Emergency Medicine, is available to talk about the importance of CPR.

HISTORIC HOUSE SPEAKER VOTE
For the first time in a century, Congress failed to name a speaker of the House on a first ballot. On Jan. 3, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) did not receive the necessary number of votes needed to become speaker. Three separate votes, on the first day of the 118th Congress, yielded the same results.

Jeffrey Grynaviski, Ph.D., an associate professor of political science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is a specialist in legislative politics who can give a historic perspective on what is occurring in Washington, D.C.

INSURRECTION
The House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol referred former President Trump to the Justice Department on charges of insurrection, obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress and conspiracy to defraud the U.S.

Jim Townsend, J.D., director of the Levin Center at Wayne State University Law School, is a former representative for the State of Michigan who served in Washington, D.C. as a legislative director. He is available to discuss potential legal issues regarding the 45^th president.

MIDDLE EAST EARTHQUAKES
At least 45,000 people have been killed and thousands more trapped beneath rubble after two powerful earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria on Feb. 6. The death toll is expected to rise, with search and rescue operations under way across the region as many buildings have collapsed.

Scott Burdick, Ph.D., assistant professor of geology and expert seismologist in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wayne State, is available to discuss the 7.5-plus magnitude tremors.
Mark Baskaran, Ph.D., a professor and chair of the Department of Environmental Science and Geology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, can talk about the cultural and historical context of the Turkey/Syria earthquakes.
Kristin Taylor, Ph.D., associate professor of political science at Wayne State, can discuss the politics of disasters, seismic mitigations, and vulnerable populations in hazards and disasters.

MONKEYPOX VIRUS
Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious disease from the same family of viruses as the smallpox virus.

Laurie Lauzon Clabo, Ph.D., dean of the College of Nursing and Chief Wellness Officer, is prepared to discuss the virus, its transmission and campus health protocols.
Patricia Wren, Ph.D., M.P.H., chair of the department of public health, is available to speak about the virus, its transmission and how messaging can shape public health.

NUCLEAR FUSION BREAKTHROUGH
Scientists at a federal research facility recently achieved a breakthrough in their work on nuclear fusion, long seen as a potential source of clean, virtually limitless energy. So, is nuclear fusion the answer to our energy needs?

Chen Shun, Ph.D., an assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Wayne State, is ready to discuss this incredible achievement by nuclear scientists and engineers.

OHIO TRAIN DERAILMENT
On Feb. 3, a train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, a village of approximately 4,700 residents about 50 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. The train was carrying chemicals and combustible materials, including vinyl chloride, a toxic flammable gas. A huge fire erupted from the derailment, sending thick billowing smoke into the sky. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources estimates the spill also affected more than seven miles of streams and killed some 3,500 fish.

Judy Westrick, Ph.D., director of the Lumigen Instrument Center at Wayne State University, is an analytical chemist who has experience with Ohio River chemical spills.
Donna Kashian, Ph.D., director of Environmental Science at Wayne State, is available to discuss the human and environmental health hazards to further our understanding of contaminants in the environment.

OVER HYDRATED
Not to burst anyone’s water bottle, but healthy people can actually die from drinking too much water. Hydration and Gallon Challenges support the widely held belief that water consumption beyond physiological need – or thirst – is healthy. But this is not so.

Tamara Hew-Butler, Ph.D., associate professor of exercise physiology, is available to discuss the dangers of overhydration and how drinking too much water affects the body.

RETURN TO WORK AND SCHOOL
With more and more people returning to their offices and classrooms after three years of working or going to classes remotely, there can be some significant re-entry challenges, both personally and professionally.

Matthew Piszczek, Ph.D., assistant professor of management at the Mike Ilitch School of Business, is an expert in work-life issues, remote work, workforce aging, commuting, strategic HRM, employee/labor relations, and offers a wide range of solutions.

ROE VS. WADE
With the Supreme Court's repeal of Roe v. Wade, there are several legal, ethical and medical issues that require clarity. Wayne State offers several experts who can provide incisive analysis.

Law/Ethics/Precedent/State/Federal Issues

Lance Gable, J.D., M.P.H., professor of law, can talk about bioethics and the law and public health law.
Christopher Lund, J.D., professor of law, can talk about matters related to constitutional laws and religious liberty.

Medicine/Public Health

Megan Hicks, Ph.D., assistant professor in the School of Social Work, can talk about risk and protective factors influencing health disparities among Black youth.
Ijeoma Nnodim Opara M.D., is a double-board certified assistant professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. She can talk about health equity and justice in medicine.

SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES
As a supply chain crisis unfurled during the pandemic many business leaders were ready to say goodbye to a problematic 2021 and 2022. However, supply chain operations are far from normal, and now may not be the time to declare victory.

Kevin Ketels, a lecturer in global supply chain management at the Mike Ilitch School of Business, can offer perspective and insight about this complicated issue impacted by climate change on our supply chains.

TRIPLEDEMIC
Doctors across the country are worried about what could be a long winter. Early on, hospitals saw big spikes in RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) cases, the respiratory virus that primarily affects children. Adding that to increases in COVID-19 cases as well as a peak flu season, and concerns about a tripledemic mounted.

Eric McGrath, M.D., is board-certified in both pediatrics and pediatric infectious diseases. Hediagnoses and treats medical conditions caused by infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungus, or parasites.
Paul Kilgore, M.D., co-director of the Wayne State Center for Emerging and Infectious Diseases, is available to discuss expectations of an additional surge of viral illness after the holidays that will put additional pressure on already-stressed hospitals.
Teena Chopra, M.D., M.P.H., professor of Infectious Diseases at Wayne State University, is an expert with the Center for Emerging and Infectious Diseases.

TWITTER'S FUTURE
GM, Ford and other companies have said they will continue to hit pause on paid advertising on Twitter while it evaluates the social media platform's new direction under Elon Musk.

Marick Masters, Ph.D., a professor of management at the Mike Ilitch School of Business, has studied social media platforms for a future book. He is available to discuss the future of the social site and whether a new social medium will pop up to replace Twitter one day.

DETROIT AREA FLOODING AND INFRASTRUCTURE CONCERNS
Recent flooding in the Detroit metropolitan area caused devastating damage to property and the roadways. Ongoing concerns about the aging infrastructure have ramped up and residents are wondering how to cope with future flooding.

Carol Miller, Ph.D., professor of civil and environmental engineering, and co-director of Wayne State’s One Health Initiative, is available to talk about the current infrastructure problems and what solutions may be available.

JAMESTOWN CANYON VIRUS
Two individuals in southeastern Michigan have tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus, which is spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. According to the CDC, most who contract the virus have no symptoms. But in those who do, it can cause headache, fever and fatigue, while others can develop a cough, sore throat and runny nose. There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat Jamestown Canyon virus infection. People can reduce the risk of infection by using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants to prevent mosquito bites.

Teena Chopra, M.D., MPH, professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Wayne State University, is available to discuss infectious diseases including germs, ranging from flu to hospital acquired infections to pneumonia.

TICK SEASON
The weather is warming, which means tick season is upon us. Lyme disease is one of the most common tick-borne illnesses, which if left untreated can spread to the heart, joints and the nervous system. Whether you're hiking, walking the dog or just hanging out in the backyard, here's what our expert says you need to know to keep you and your family safe this summer.

Steve Daveluy, M.D., FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist, and associate professor and Program Director of Wayne State University Department of Dermatology, goes beyond skin treatments to include types of clothing that is best for a patient's skin and ways to incorporate skin care into patients' daily lives.

TIKTOK SECURITY
U.S. officials have long warned of a potential national security threat because the wildly popular social video platform TikTok is owned by a Chinese company.

Elizabeth Stoycheff, Ph.D., an associate professor in Wayne State's Department of Communications, is an expert in online surveillance, digital privacy, Internet censorship, democratization, public diplomacy, large-scale survey and experimental design/analysis. (Print/Digital/Radio only)

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