Wayne State University

Warrior strong
Login
Search

Tip sheet

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

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

TRENDING

DISARRAY IN SYRIA
In a significant turning point for Syria, President Bashar al-Assad's government has been overthrown after a swift and coordinated offensive by opposition forces. The rebels, led by the coalition Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), seized Damascus and forced Assad to flee the country. This marks the end of Assad’s regime, which has ruled for over five decades, amid a 13-year civil war that caused immense human suffering and geopolitical tension.

  • Saeed Khan is an associate professor of Near Eastern Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Irvin D. Reid Honors College. He is a recognized expert in Middle Eastern politics, frequently provides analysis for media outlets such as Al Jazeera, NPR, and the BBC, discussing topics like the Syrian conflict, U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, and the complexities of the region’s socio-political landscape. His work offers in-depth insights into historical and contemporary issues shaping Syria and its geopolitical context, making him a valuable resource for understanding the ongoing challenges and transformations in the Middle East.

WAR IN UKRAINE
The ongoing war in Ukraine which began in February 2022 has resulted in significant devastation, displacement of millions, and widespread human rights abuses. Under President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and support from the U.S. in military, economic, and humanitarian aid, Ukraine has shown fierce resistance against Russia.

  • Aaron Retish, Ph.D., associate professor of history, can discuss the history of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, as well as the Russian state's perspectives on the situation.
  • Vincent Artman, Ph.D., an adjunct professor at Wayne State’s Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, has spent a fair amount of time in Ukriane during the war and has quite a bit of hands-on experience with what is going on there, as well as academic knowledge. His expertise lies in the geopolitical, cultural, and historical dynamics of the region, offering deep insights into the complexities of the conflict and its broader implications for international affairs.
  • Brad Roth, J.D., Ph.D., is a professor of law and political science, who can talk on issues of Ukrainian sovereignty.
  • Jessica C. Robbins-Panko, Ph.D., an associate professor at the Institute of Gerontology and Department of Anthropology, is available to discuss how this war will have a long-term, negative impact on civilians and produce trauma that will transform people’s lives and social relations and the fabric of society at a generational scale.

WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST
The prolonged and escalating Israel-Hamas war has caused significant casualties, with tens of thousands dead and widespread devastation in Gaza. The war expanded, involving regional actors like Hezbollah and triggering tensions with Iran, which supports Hamas and other militant groups. The U.S. has also faced increasing attacks on its forces in the region by Iranian-backed militias.

  • Howard Lupovitch, Ph.D., professor of history and director of the Cohn-Haddow Center for Judaic Studies, has authored several scholarly works and is a sought-after lecturer on topics related to Jewish identity, Zionism, and the Jewish experience in the modern world
  • Saeed Khan, an associate professor of Near Eastern Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Irvin D. Reid Honors College, is an expert in Middle Eastern history, Islamic studies, and issues related to global geopolitics, identity, and the Muslim diaspora. is a frequent commentator in national and international media, offering nuanced perspectives on global and cultural affairs.

MASS DEPORTATION
President-elect Donald Trump has outlined plans for a large-scale deportation initiative as part of his immigration policy. He aims to implement the "largest deportation in U.S. history," focusing on removing millions of undocumented immigrants. Critics warn of logistical, financial, and ethical concerns, including the high costs and potential family separations. Proponents argue it would strengthen border security and deter unauthorized immigration.

  • Sabrina Balgamwalla, J.D., is an assistant professor of law and the director of the Asylum and Immigration Law Clinic. She can speak about the intersections of gender, race, and citizenship in immigration policy and enforcement.

POLITICAL VIOLENCE
Political violence in the U.S. has surged in recent years, particularly surrounding high-profile political events and figures. Recent examples include two assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump. These events, coupled with growing concerns about election-related violence, are fueling fears of escalating political unrest as the presidential election approaches.

  •  Frederic Pearson, Ph.D., professor of political science and former director of the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, specializes in the study of international relations, conflict resolution and the causes of political violence.

COLD AND FLU SEASON IS BACK
As temperatures drop, people tend to spend more time indoors, which can lead to an increase in the spread of respiratory illnesses like RSV, colds, flu and COVID-19. Health experts advise precautions such as flu vaccinations, regular handwashing and maintaining healthy habits to help reduce the risk of getting sick.

  • Eric McGrath, M.D., is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric infectious diseases. He diagnoses and treats medical conditions caused by infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungus or parasites.

WHOOPING COUGH
Cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, are on the rise across the United States. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports to date 17,579 cases of whooping cough, more than five times the number of cases reported during the same period in 2023.

  • 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.
     


DECEMBER'S OBSERVANCES AND HISTORIC MOMENTS

NATIONAL DRUNK & DRUGGED DRIVING PREVENTION MONTH
According to the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, the time between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day is “one of the deadliest and most dangerous times on America's roadways due to an increase in impaired driving.”

  • Randall Commissaris, Ph.D., an associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences, studies the effects of drugs and other distractions on driving performance in a driving simulator.

GLOBAL FOOD INSECURITIES MONTH
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.
  • Alyssa Beavers, Ph.D., a registered dietitian and associate professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Services, specializes in urban gardening, food security, and community-based participatory research. Additionally, she investigates the relationship between food security, diet quality, and food access.

WORLD AIDS DAY – DEC. 1
This global day of awareness, remembrance, and advocacy dedicated to the fight against HIV/AIDS, was initiated in 1988. It is the first-ever global health day, aiming to unite people worldwide in the mission to support those living with HIV, remember those who have passed, and work toward the goal of ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

  • Gretchen Newman, M.D., an assistant professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases and the Director of the WSU Adult HIV Program, her medical career includes a focus on HIV care, infectious diseases, and care for sexual and gender minorities. Dr. Newman is board-certified in both internal medicine and infectious diseases.

PEARL HARBOR DAY – DEC. 7
Our expert can put the Pearl Harbor invasion into historical perspective while sharing how the American public and the nation’s leaders reacted to the attack.

  • Elizabeth Lublin, Ph.D., associate professor of history, is available to talk about Pearl Harbor Day and offer a historical perspective about the event that led to the United States’ involvement in World War II. (NOTE: Dr. Lublin will not be available Dec. 6-7.)

NATIONAL HOMELESS PERSONS’ MEMORIAL DAY – DEC. 21
On the longest night of the year, the winter solstice, many communities outreach organizations host events to honor those who died while homeless. 

  • Paul Toro, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at Wayne State University and director of the Research Group on Homelessness and Poverty, has conducted studies on homelessness for more than 30 years, including studies on homeless adults, families, and youth. His studies have compared homeless to matched housed samples, evaluated interventions, provided careful assessment of mental disorders and substance abuse, collected data across nations, assessed public opinion, analyzed media and professional coverage, and followed large homeless samples in longitudinal designs. 


WSU CAMPUS EVENTS

WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY WINTER 2024 COMMENCEMENT – DECEMBER 14
Nearly 3,500 students will conclude 2024 as graduates of Wayne State University and will have an opportunity to participate in commencement at the WSU Fieldhouse.

 


CURRENT TOPICS IN THE NEWS

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.

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
October 7 will mark the one-year anniverasry of when Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, 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 tens of thousands of Palestinians reported dead in the last 12 months.

  • 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 45th 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)

Join the Today@Wayne email list

A production of the Wayne State Communications Department, Today@Wayne is a bi-weekly newsletter filled with news, updates and events at WSU. Subscribe to the mailing list by signing up for the Today@Wayne newsletter Listserv.

 

Privacy and University Policies

Wayne State University © 2023