Tip sheet

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

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

JULY'S OBSERVANCES AND HISTORIC MOMENTS

BEREAVED PARENTS AWARENESS MONTH
Losing a child is one of the most difficult things any person can go through. But if you’ve never experienced this kind of loss, it can be easy to forget what these parents go through.

Stephanie Kastely, Ph.D., a suicide prevention coordinator in Counseling and Psychological Services program at Wayne State, is available to discuss issues related to the loss of a child, including anxiety, depression and suicide prevention.

NATIONAL HIV AWARENESS MONTH
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) eventually develops into AIDS. It is a disease that is spread through bodily fluids such as blood. The HIV virus does not pose a direct threat to the body but instead attacks white blood cells, which are vital to the immune system and defend against illness.

Eric McGrath, M.D., is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric infectious diseases and a professor of pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Prevention at Wayne State School of Medicine. He is available to talk about HIV and children.
Elizabeth Secord, M.D., is a board-certified pediatric allergist and immunologist and the founding director of Wayne Pediatrics, which provides services for at-risk young people and those living with HIV and AIDS. She is also experienced in the care and treatment of adults.

CANADA DAY – JULY 1
Canada Day, originally known as Dominion Day until 1982, celebrates Canadian nationalism and heritage. On July 1, 1867, Canada officially became self-governing with the passage of the British North America Act in the British Parliament.

Karen Marrero, Ph.D., associate professor of history, has studied Canada in the late 18th and early 19th centuries and is prepared to talk about the significance of Canada Day – politically, culturally and historically.

60^th ANNIVERSARY OF CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 – JULY 2
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race in public accommodations, publicly owned or operated facilities, employment, and union membership and in voter registration. The act allowed for cutoff of federal funds in places where discrimination remained.

Jalila Jefferson-Bullock, J.D., is an associate professor at Wayne Law and associate director of civil rights and social justice at the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights.
Peter Hammer, J.D., Ph.D., law professor and director of the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights, is a leading voice on the economic and social issues impacting the city of Detroit, and has added new courses to the law school curriculum, including Race, Law and Social Change in Southeast Michigan and Re-Imagining Development in Detroit: Institutions, Law & Society.
Justin Long, J.D., an associate professor of law and associate director for education law and policy of the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights, regularly works with civil rights activists in the community.

NATIONAL STAY OUT OF THE SUN DAY – JULY 3
Summer is now stretching over the nation, prompting a mass exodus to the beaches and waterways, especially in Michigan and its Great Lakes. “Stay Out of the Sun Day” encourages us to be aware of the damage that the sun’s rays can cause to our skin.

Steven Daveluy, M.D., assistant professor and program director in the Department of Dermatology, can talk about the importance of taking precautions to protect our skin from the sun during the summer.

NATIONAL WORKAHOLICS DAY – JULY 5
Work isn’t everything! Do you come in early, skip lunch and leave late, or know someone who does? We’re reminded to have a healthy balance between our work and home life.

Matt Piszczek, Ph.D., assistant professor of management at the Mike Ilitch School of Business, is an expert at work-life issues, remote work and workforce aging.

BASTILLE DAY – JULY 14
Bastille Day, or French National Day, is celebrated every year in France to recognize the beginning of the French Revolution. The storming of the Bastille prison and fortress facility in Paris on July 14, 1789, was an early event of the decade-long revolution. Bastille Day represents the end of the monarchy and led to the formation of the French Republic in 1792.

Janine Lanza, Ph.D., French historian and associate professor of history, is prepared to talk about Bastille Day.

NATIONAL MOON DAY – JULY 20
The Apollo program was created to put the first human on the moon. Apollo 11 fulfilled that dream when it launched on July 16, 1969. On July 20, 1969, the Lunar Module touched down on its surface and American astronaut Neil Armstrong took his legendary first steps on the moon. Moon Day commemorates that historic event.

Ed Cackett, Ph.D., distinguished service professor and chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, is ready to discuss space travel and the Apollo missions to the moon. Please note, Dr. Cackett is only available for interviews from July 8-11.

WSU CAMPUS EVENTS

A MEN OF COLOR MENTAL HEALTH SYMPOSIUM – JULY 12-13
Affecting Change Detroit, in collaboration with Wayne State University’s Association of Black Social Workers, and the Black and Latinx Male SW Initiative will host the inaugural MANifest, a Men of Color Mental Health Symposium. This two-day event hosted by Andre Charley, LMSW at the Art Block and on the campus of Wayne State University will feature keynote speaker Hill Harper and explore the male identity, the struggle, and the power. For more information, contact Lawrence Robinson at 313-577-8019.

WHITE COAT CEREMONY – JULY 12
Acceptance of a white coat represents the commitment that each physician-in-training makes to practice compassionate, patient-centric medical care. It also serves as a reminder of the ideals that set all Warrior M.D.s apart: that the privilege of medical education comes with the responsibility of service to the community. This even will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center. For more information, contact Allison Gheradini.

JC HEARD JAZZ WEEK @ WAYNE STATE — JULY 22-26
The Wayne State University Department of Music and the Detroit Jazz Festival is hosting a one-week workshop that provides high school students with an intensive and rewarding jazz educational experience. For more information, contact the Department of Music.

CURRENT TOPICS IN THE NEWS

INVASIVE BUGS
Spotted Lantern Fly has been confirmed along the Michigan/Ohio border. Entomologists say the invasive species could damage at least 70 different crops in the state, with grapes, hops, and apples at higher risk. The State of Michigan is asking the public if they see the pest, squash it and report it.

Glen Ray Hood, Ph.D., an evolutionary ecologist in the Department of Biological Sciences, is an invasive species expert.

POLITICAL DEBATES
In June, President Biden and former President Trump met on the debate stage for the first time in four years. They are scheduled to debate again on Sept. 10. What should we expect from the two oldest candidates for the country’s highest office facing off the second time, and how will it impact the rest of their campaigns?

Ronald Stevenson, Ph.D., professor and director of debate at Wayne State University, is available to a breakdown each candidate's strategy and discuss the likely political implications heading into November. Dr. Stevenson's areas of expertise include political campaigns, legal arguments and national security rhetoric. His primary academic interests involve the study of argument and rhetoric employed in contemporary political contexts.

HOUSE VS. NCAA SETTLEMENT
On May 23, the NCAA and its power conferences agreed to allow college athletes to receive pay directly from the universities they compete for, setting up a potential break from the organization’s century-old system of amateurism. What does it all mean?

Scott Hirko, Ph.D., assistant professor of sports administration and management in the Division of Kinesiology, is an expert in intercollegiate athletic finances, policy and decision-making in college sport administration, sport leadership and more. He is doing research on name, image and likeness (NIL).

BIRD FLU IN MICHIGAN
According to the CDC, a second human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) virus infection has been identified in Michigan. This is the third human case associated with an ongoing multistate outbreak of A(H5N1) in U.S. dairy cows. As with the previous two cases (one in Texas, one in Michigan), the person is a dairy farm worker with exposure to infected cows, making this another instance of probable cow-to-person spread.

Teena Chopra, M.D., M.P.H., professor of medicine in the Wayne State University School of Medicine and co-director of the Center for Emerging and Infectious Diseases, emphasize the need for heightened vigilance and preparedness in states like Michigan that have significant agricultural sectors. Dr. Chopra offers answers to some questions about bird flu.

DONALD TRUMP CONVICTION
Donald Trump has been convicted in his hush money trial, a jury verdict that makes him the first former American president to be found guilty of felony crimes.

Steven Winter, J.D., the Walter S. Gibbs Distinguished Professor of Constitutional Law at Wayne State, and author of numerous articles on constitutional law and legal theory. He is available to discuss the former president’s legal challenges.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

AIR QUALITY ALERT
In 2023, smoke from massive wildfires burning in Canada drifted 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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