Tip sheet

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

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

MAY'S OBSERVANCES AND HISTORIC MOMENTS

ASIAN AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH
Since 1990, the U.S. government has designated the month of May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, celebrating the achievements and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the United States.

Stephanie Tong, Ph.D., professor of communication studies and director of the Social Media and Relational Technologies (SMART) Labs, which investigates how technology affects how people make decisions about their relationships. Part of this research series examines the increased incidents of online harassment against Asian Americans that coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic.

HEALTHY VISION MONTH
This month is celebrated every year to stress the importance of the health of our eyes. This month was established by the National Eye Institute in 2003 and aims to spread awareness and educate people about the risks of ignoring the health of your eyes.

Mark Juzych, M.D., chair of ophthalmology, visual and anatomical sciences, can talk about the major advances we have made in eye research, treatment of common eye diseases and best practices for general eye health maintenance.

JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute each May to the generations of Jewish Americans who helped form the fabric of American history, culture and society.

Howard Lupovitch, Ph.D., professor of history and director of the Cohn-Haddow Center for Judaic Studies, specializes in modern Jewish history and teaches a course on the Holocaust. He is available to speak about urban Jewish history and offer historical information.

MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH
Since 1999, this month-long observance recognizes the dedication of individuals currently serving in the United States military.

Matt McLain, assistant director of the Colonel Gregory Gadson Office of Military & Veterans Academic Excellence, serves on numerous committees and boards, local and national, aimed at assisting military veterans in higher education.

NATIONAL ASTHMA AND ALLERGY AWARENESS MONTH
About 1 in 13 people in the United States is living with asthma, a long-term condition that affects breathing. Asthma impacts some communities more than others, but it can be managed with the right tools.

Elizabeth Secord, M.D., professor of pediatrics at Wayne State School of Medicine and a board-certified pediatric allergist and immunologist specializing in a variety of allergic conditions and asthma concerns in children. She’s also a founding member and director of Wayne Pediatrics, a 501c3 nonprofit medical practice and medical provider for The Horizons Project, providing support and services for both at-risk youth and those living with HIV or AIDS, as well as preventative services.

NATIONAL HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE EDUCATION MONTH
Many people don’t even know they have high blood pressure. Symptoms of hypertension often go unnoticed and if left uncontrolled the risk of heart problems such as stroke or heart attack increase.

Phillip Levy, M.D., M.P.H., FACEP, is a professor of medicine, Edward S. Thomas Endowed Professor and associate chair for research in emergency medicine, and assistant vice president of translational science and clinical research innovation at Wayne State. Levy is ready to speak about the importance of heart health and the significance of blood pressure monitoring.
Robert Brook, M.D., professor of internal medicine at the Wayne State School of Medicine and director of Cardiovascular Prevention for Wayne Health, has clinical expertise in cardiovascular disease prevention focusing on hypertension, lipid disorders, risk assessment, and vascular medicine.

NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH MONTH
Everyone can feel anxious. But when you live with severe mental health illness, anxiety can reach a completely new level. Stigma, Discrimination. Side effects of medications. Mania. Psychosis. These are all unique anxieties experienced by those living with mental illness on a daily basis.

Seth Norrholm, Ph.D., is an associate professor of psychiatry and a transitional neuroscientist in the Wayne State Integrative Biosciences Center who is a recognized world leader in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and fear.

OLDER AMERICANS MONTH
This year’s theme is Aging Unbound, which offers an opportunity to explore diverse aging experiences and discuss how communities can combat stereotypes. Help promote flexible thinking about aging and how we all benefit when older adults remain engaged, independent, and included.

Peter Lichtenberg, Ph.D., is director of the Institute of Gerontology and the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute, and the founding director of the Wayne State University Lifespan Alliance. He is also a Distinguished University Service Professor of Psychology. Lichtenberg is prepared to talk about financial decision-making, financial exploitation and financial capacity in older adults, neurocognitive impairment, late-life depression, and impacts on quality of life and longevity.

SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
With over five million cases diagnosed in the United States each year, skin cancer is America’s most common cancer. Fortunately, skin cancer is also one of the most preventable cancers. By sharing facts about the dangers of unprotected sun exposure and encouraging people to check their skin for warning signs, we can and will save lives.

Darius Mehregan, M.D., Hermann Pinkus Chairman of Dermatology at the Wayne State School of Medicine, can discuss the importance of early detection, best practices for protecting your skin from the sun, and new advances in the treatment of skin cancer.

ANTI-BULLYING DAY – MAY 4
Sometimes the signs are apparent. Other times, it is insidious and may exist where it’s least expected – family, friends or others close to the victim. But mostly, children are at higher risk since bullies prey on the most vulnerable.

Jun Sung Hong, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Wayne State School of Social Work. His research includes bias-based bullying and victimization; racial microaggressions; and school and campus shootings.

CINCO DE MAYO – MAY 5
The fifth day of May is a holiday that celebrates the Mexican army’s victory over France at the battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War, on May 5, 1862.

Jorge Chinea, Ph.D., director of Wayne State’s Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies and professor of history, formerly served on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Humanities Council and the Advisory Board of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan.

NATIONAL NURSES WEEK – MAY 6-12
National Nurses Week honors their contributions and sacrifices and reminds us to thank the medical professionals who keep us healthy and celebrates the birthdate of Florence Nightingale.

Debra Schutte, Ph.D., RN, associate dean for faculty affairs and professor and director of the BioPhysical Laboratory, is a two-time Investigator Award winner for the Midwest Nursing Research Society.
Ramona Benkert, Ph.D., AMP-BC, FAANP, interim dean of Wayne State University’s College of Nursing, is prepared to speak about National Nurses Week. She can address recent changes in the nursing profession and how Wayne State is filling the need for highly skilled nurses in Michigan.

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK – May 6-10
Teachers play a critical role in driving the success of K-12 education and children’s lives. They are the ones who inspire and guide kids to become future leaders, innovators and problem solvers.

Ana Marie Howrani, assistant professor of Reading, Language and Literature at Wayne State College of Education, is available to talk about Teacher Appreciation Week.

BLADDER CANCER AWARENESS DAY – MAY 7
A lesser-known cancer, bladder cancer represents 5% of all cancers. The first symptoms include blood in the urine and pain during urination.

Michael Cher, M.D., is chair and the Donald J. and Dorothy Jaffar Endowed Professor of Urology at Wayne State School of Medicine. He specializes in all aspect of urologic oncology including cancer of the adrenal gland, kidney, ureteral, bladder and testis.

NATIONAL WOMEN’S HEALTH WEEK – MAY 14-20
Women have unique health issues such as pregnancy and menopause. The observance, which begins each Mother’s Day, also encourages women to consider the factors that influence their mental health, like managing stress to prevent anxiety and depression.

Sonia Hassan, M.D., an associate vice president at Wayne State University, a professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Maternal Fetal Medicine, and founder and director of the Office of Women’s Health at WSU, she can speak about women’s health care issues and best practices for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

WORLD HYPERTENSION DAY – MAY 17
Increased blood pressure is the leading cause of death worldwide, affecting more than 1.4 billion people and accounting for more than 28,000 deaths each day. This year’s Hypertension Day theme is Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer, focusing on combatting low awareness rates worldwide, especially in low to middle income areas.

Phillip Levy, M.D., M.P.H., FACEP, is a professor of medicine, Edward S. Thomas Endowed Professor and associate chair for research in emergency medicine, and assistant vice president of translational science and clinical research innovation at Wayne State. Levy is ready to speak about the significance of blood pressure monitoring among low-income populations.

MEMORIAL DAY – MAY 27
Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May to honor those who died while serving in the U.S. military.

Marc Kruman, Ph.D., founding director of Wayne State’s Center for the Study of Citizenship and professor of history, is prepared to discuss the historical significance of Memorial Day as a nationally recognized holiday in the United States.

WORLD MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS DAY – MAY 30
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a relapse-remitting disease with a very slow progression. Its symptoms include muscle weakness, double vision, and mental/physical problems. Due to the lack of research studies on the disease, the exact causes behind it are generally unknown.

Alexander Gow, Ph.D., a professor and Charles H. Gershenson Distinguished Fellow of neurology at Wayne State School of Medicine and associate director of the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, serves on study sections at the National Institutes of Health and National Multiple Sclerosis Society. His laboratory research interests include depression, multiple sclerosis, Pelizaeus-Merzbacher, Auditory Processing Disorder.

WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY – MAY 31
According to the World Health Organization, more than 6 million people die from tobacco use every year. Tobacco use also takes a toll on national economies through increased health care costs and decreased productivity.

Morhaf Al Achkar, M.D., Ph.D., MSCR, FAAFP, associate professor of Oncology at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, is the associate center director for Education at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. An eight-year stage IV lung cancer survivor, his latest study examines the systemic issues and access challenges that contribute to lung cancer diagnosis disparities.

WSU CAMPUS EVENTS

COLLABORATIVE JOURNALISM SUMMIT – MAY 9-10
Hosted by the Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University, in partnership with the Department of Communication at Wayne State and Detroit Public Television, the 2024 Collaborative Journalism Summit is the world's only symposium dedicated to collaborative journalism featuring two days of lightning talks, workshops and participatory discussions. For more information, email associate professor Elizabeth Stoycheff.

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.

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.

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

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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