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.
Experts on the news
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Peter Halfmann on: Ebola Outbreak Response
Health officials in Central Africa are responding to a worsening Ebola outbreak as cases continue to spread across multiple regions, raising concerns about containment, healthcare capacity, and the risk of broader transmission.
Peter Halfmann, Associate Research Professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, studies emerging infectious diseases and high consequence viruses including Ebola and other zoonotic pathogens.
He can speak to:
• Why Ebola outbreaks become harder to contain once transmission expands across regions and population centers.
• The challenges researchers and public health officials face when responding to rapidly evolving outbreaks.
• How scientists monitor transmission patterns and evaluate the risk of wider spread.Past Media:
- WPR
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Chris Vagasky on: Funding Cuts Delay Tornado Warning Capability
Cuts to staffing and funding at National Weather Service offices have led to reduced weather balloon launches in several parts of the country, raising concerns among meteorologists about the long term impact on forecast accuracy during severe weather season.
Chris Vagasky, research program manager for Wisconet, works on weather observation systems and atmospheric data collection used in severe weather forecasting.
He can speak to:
• Why weather balloon data is critical for forecasting tornadoes and other severe storms
• How gaps in atmospheric observations can reduce forecast precision and warning lead time
• Why local and regional weather observation networks play a critical role when national data coverage is reducedPast Media:
- NBC 15
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Laura Hernandez on: Growing Push to Expand Raw Milk Access
States across the country are considering new laws that would expand access to raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products, as supporters push for fewer restrictions and public health officials warn about the continued risk of foodborne illness linked to unpasteurized products.
Laura Hernandez, Associate Professor of Dairy Science at the University of Wisconsin Madison, researches dairy production, milk quality, and animal health.
She can speak to:
- The bacteria and pathogens most commonly associated with raw milk and why they can be especially dangerous for children, older adults, and immunocompromised people.
- How outbreaks linked to unpasteurized dairy products are investigated and tracked by public health agencies.
Past Media:
- NBC 15
