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 University Communications.
Experts on today’s news…
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Gregory DeCroix on: Demand for eclipse-viewing glasses
Greg DeCroix, an expert on supply chain management, can talk about the demand for eclipse-viewing glasses. As the Aug. 21 eclipse draws near, demand has increased and prices have skyrocketed.
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Jerry O'Brien on: Brick and mortar retailers offering wellness experience
Jerry O'Brien, an expert on the retail industry, can talk about the trend of brick and mortar stores trying to remain competitive with online retailers by offering a better shopping experience, including an emphasis on wellness. "Brick and mortar retailers are busy exploring ways to make the experience of physical shopping enjoyable, efficient and memorable. Saks has put a focus on wellness and will certainly connect with shoppers looking to find a way to stay more centered. Other retailers will be offering broader experiences too. All with the goal of making the physical shopping experience a regular and important part of our routines."
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Dietram Scheufele on: Human embryonic gene editing
Scheufele helped compile a report of the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Medicine in February focused on human genome editing. He and Alta Charo, who is also available to comment on recent news of human embyonic gene editing in the U.S., were part of a 22-person international committee that compiled the report. Charo was co-chair of that international panel. Note that both are traveling and are not available for in-person interview at this time.
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Kristen Bernard on: Eastern equine encephalitis
Bernard studies moquito-borne infections like eastern equine encephalitis, which was found in two horses that died this week near Tomah. Eastern equine encephalitis infections are almost always fatal in unnvaccinated horses. The virus can also infect humans through mosquito bites. Human cases are rare, but very dangerous — resulting in death a third of the time and severe brain damage in many survivors. Keith Poulsen, a large animal veterinarian at the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, can discuss the lab's role in identifying the virus in brain tissue from the dead horses.
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David O'Connor on: Texas Zika case spread by mosquito
Public health authorities in Texas believe the state has had its first case of Zika virus transmitted by a mosquito. Multiple UW-Madison experts, many featured in a video about the university's Zika research efforts, can discuss Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases. Matthew Aliota and Jorge Osorio are part of the team that first identified Zika in Colombia and are part of ongoing efforts to monitor and thwart spread of the virus in that country, as well as monitor mosquitoes in Wisconsin. Osorio and David O'Connor lead a research team with Aliota, Tom Friedrich, Ted Golos and others now investigating everything from immune responses to Zika infection to the birth defects associated with the virus. Katie Antony, clinical assistant professor of maternal-fetal medicine can also talk about the risks of Zika virus to pregnant women and developing fetuses. Nasia Safdar, associate professor in the department of medicine, can talk about infectious diseases like Zika. Kristen Bernard studies mosquitoes and infectious disease and can discuss monitoring for the virus in Wisconsin.
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Laura Albert on: Airport security
Laura Albert, an expert on aviation security and safety, can talk about the Transportation Security Administration boosting security measures by requiring any carry-on electronics larger than a cellphone to be screened separately at U.S. airports.
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Hart Posen on: Foxconn
Hart Posen, an expert on business strategy, can comment on the possiblity of Foxconn, a Taiwanese company that assembles Apple’s iPhones and other electronics, building a plant in Wisconsin. Foxconn, founded in 1974, announced in January that it was considering investing $7 billion in a U.S. factory to produce display panels that would create as many as 50,000 jobs. Foxconn's plans are to be announced Wednesday at the White House, with a follow-up event Thursday at the Milwaukee Art Museum, according to one source. Tuesday night, the White House listed a 5 p.m. Wednesday "jobs announcement" in the East Room on President Donald Trump's schedule.
