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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Katherine McMahon on: Blue-green algae blooms
Some freshwater lakes in Wisconsin are experiencing significant blue-green algae blooms earlier than usual this year. Katherine (Trina) McMahon is an expert on freshwater lakes and water quality who is available to speak about the conditions that promote blue-gree algae, as well as the health hazards large blooms can pose.
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Laura Albert on: Summer air travel forecast
This weekend kicks off the start of summer travel season. Laura Albert is a professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the College of Engineering. She's available for interviews about what air travel could hold in store in the coming months.
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Jeff Sindelar on: Meat safety tips for grilling season
Jeff Sindelar is an expert in meat science and food safety in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. As grilling season swings into high gear, Sindelar can share advice for how to cook meats safely on the grill.
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Barry Burden on: Ron DeSantis enters presidential race
Barry Burden, political science professor and director of the Elections Research Center, is available for interviews about news that Ron DeSantis has officially entered the 2024 presidential race.
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Heather Kirkorian on: Surgeon General says social media may be dangerous for adolescents
The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, recently issued a warning about social media use for children and adolescents. Murthy says there is ample indicators that social media can cause harm to the mental health and well-being of young people. Heather Kirkorian, director of the Cognitive Development and Media Lab, is available for interviews on the story.
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Brad Singer on: Volcanic eruptions
Volcanic eruptions on three continents — Africa, Europe and North America — have threatened local communities in recent days with ash and toxic gases. Ongoing activity at Popocatépetl, a large stratovolcano near Mexico City, is of particular concern as a large eruption there could threaten millions of residents.
Brad Singer is an expert on the long-term evolution of volcanoes like Popocatépetl. He's available to speak about long-term volcanic processes and how they connect to current activity and can also speak to the hazards a large eruption would pose.
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Sarah Griffin on: Hurricane Season
Hurricane season begins June 1st and a large typhoon is already building strength in the Pacific Ocean. Sarah Griffin is an expert on tropical cyclone meteorology and validating the accuracy of forecasts. She can speak about the upcoming hurricane season and the use of satellite data to track and predict tropical cyclones.
Derrick Herndon is an expert in the use of satellite data to study and forecast hurricane intensity. He is also available to speak about upcoming hurricane season.
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Don Stanley on: Montana bans TikTok
Montana recently became the first state in the country to ban TikTok, citing privacy and national security concerns. Don Stanley, a social media expert and faculty associate director of undergraduate studies and life sciences communication, is available for interviews about the story.
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Erin Barbato on: Title 42 expires
Title 42 has ended. Erin Barbato, director of the Immigrant Justice Clinic andClinical Professor of Law is available to comment on the shift and what it could mean for U.S. immigration policy.
