These experts from the UW–Madison faculty and staff have agreed to comment on breaking news, ongoing developments and trends in their areas of expertise. If you need help arranging interviews, email the Office of Strategic Communication.
Hurricane season
Hurricane Helene hit hard followed closely by Hurricane Milton. And the Atlantic hurricane season doesn't end until Nov. 30. Experts from UW–Madison are available for insight and analysis.
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Mark Sidel on: Donating during disasters
Mark Sidel, an expert in nonprofit and philanthropic organizations, can give tips on how to make sure you are donating to a reputable organization, especially after disasters like hurricanes.
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Chris Vagasky on: Lightning strikes during hurricanes
Hurricane Milton’s eyewall, where the storm’s strongest winds are, exhibited more than 58,000 lightning events in just 14 hours. Chris Vagasky, an expert on lightning and lightning safety, said it's something only 10 percent of tropical cyclones around the world develop. By comparison, Hurricane Ian, which became a Category 5 hurricane in the Gulf in 2022, only had roughly 1,000 lightning events. Vagasky can discuss what conditions made this possible and why it's significant.
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Daniel Wright on: Inland flooding
Daniel Wright is a hydrologist and water resources engineer who is an expert on flooding. He can speak about hazards associated with inland flooding and how stormwater infrastructure can reduce them.
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Max Besbris on: Hurricane property damage and inequality
Associate professor of sociology Max Besbris is available for interviews about how storm damage can exacerbate inequality, and how residents decide whether to rebuild or leave after extensive property damage.
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Shane Hubbard on: The cost of natural disasters
Shane Hubbard, a research scientist at the Space Science and Engineering Center, is available for interviews about impacts from the hurricane and flooding. Hubbard is an expert in loss and damage estimation following natural disasters.
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Derrick Herndon on: Hurricane intensity forecasting
Derrick Herndon, an expert on using satellite data to study the intensity of hurricanes, can discuss the role forecasting plays.
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Sarah Griffin on: Forecasting hurricanes
Sarah Griffin is an expert on tropical cyclone meteorology and validating the accuracy of forecasts. She can speak about the use of satellite data to track and predict tropical cyclones and hurricanes.
Experts on today’s news
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Patrick (PJ) Liesch on: Fall nuisance bugs
Box elder bugs, brown stink bugs, and Asian lady bettles are finding their way into homes this fall. PJ Liesch, director of the UW Insect Diagnostic Lab, is available for interviews about these nuisance bugs and when their numbers should die down.
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Susanna Widicus Weaver on: NASA mission to Europa
NASA launched its Europa Clipper spacecraft this month on a mission to study Europa, the ocean moon of Jupiter. Among the chief questions: does Europa contain the ingredients for life? Astrochemist Susanna Widicus–Weaver, leader of the Wisconsin Center for Origins Research, is available for interviews about the mission and the prospect for life on Europa.
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Shilagh Mirgain on: Managing election anxiety
As election 2024 draws closer, many people are experiencing election-related stress and and anxiety. Experts from UW–Madison are available to discuss stress management and how to cope with pre and post-election anxiety. Psychlogist Shilagh Mirgain is available to discuss how to foster mind-body skills for well being.
Charles Raison, professor in the School of Human Ecology, can provide insight on anxiety, depression, stress-management and well being.
Cortland Dahl, research scientist at the Center for Healthy Minds, is available for interviews to discuss using mindfulness and meditation to cope with election-related stressors.
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Gary Shiu on: Physics Nobel and AI
The 2024 Nobel Prize in physics went to a pair of researchers who helped lay the foundation for machine learning systems that power artificial intelligence. Physics professor Gary Shiu is available for interviews about the award and use of AI in physics.
“We often think of AI as a tool to solve practical problems, but the fundamental laws of physics as well as physics concepts such as energy, temperature, and entropy has inspired many major developments in AI," says Shiu. "The relationship between physics and AI is bidirectional, and I am happy to see this research direction being honored with the Nobel Prize.”
Also available to comment is Kyle Cranmer, professor of physics and director of the UW Data Science Institute.
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Mariel Barnes on: Domestic violence awareness month
October is a time to raise awareness for victims and survivors of domestic violence and acknowledge the important work happening to support survivors and prevent domestic violence. Mariel Barnes is an assistant professor of the La Follette School of Public Affairs who researches domestic violence and intimate partner violence. A founding faculty member of UW-Madison’s Sexual Violence Research Initiative, Barnes is available for interviews about the topic.
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Andrew W. Stevens on: Egg prices rise
Andrew Stevens, assistant professor of agricultural and applied economics, is available for interviews about the rising price of eggs and the effect on consumer demand.
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