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.
H5N1 spreads to cattle
The avian flu H5N1 has made the jump to cattle and inactive remnants of the virus have been found in grocery store milk. Experts from UW–Madison are available to discuss questions about H5N1 risk to human health, pets and more.
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Keith Poulsen on: Avian flu in dairy cows and milk
The USDA has been tracking a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza in dairy herds across the country. Keith Poulsen, an expert in zoonotic disease and director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, can discuss the disease, how it is spreading and what Wisconsinites should watch for in their herds.
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Thomas Friedrich on: Zoonotic disease and human health
Professor of pathobiological sciences, Thomas Friedrich, studies how viruses from animals could cross over to humans. Friedrich is available for interviews about the potential human risk from H5N1.
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David O'Connor on: Tracking H5N1
David O’Connor is an expert in novel viral pathogen emergence in human populations and a professor of pathology and medicine. He can share insight on what we know about the bird flu's current risk to human health and what things scientists are continuing to work on and look out for to monitor that risk.
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Erin Lashnits on: H5N1 and pet risk
As H5N1 jumps from birds to mammals, zoonotic disease expert and clinical assistant professor in the School of Veterinary Medicine, Erin Lashnits, is avaible to discuss the risk to pets and pet owners' concerns.
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Peter Halfmann on: H5N1 and human risk
Peter Halfmann, expert in emerging and zoonotic viral diseases and research associate professor, is available for interviews about his study of bird flu and its potential to become a human health concern.
Experts on today’s news
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Shilagh Mirgain on: Mental health benefits of spring cleaning
Ever notice how good you feel after doing a bit of spring cleaning? Turns out decluttering your home can help declutter your mind.
"Cleaning and decluttering can actually decrease feelings of stress and boost overall well-being," says Shilagh Mirgain, a clinical psychologist with expertise in building skills to foster well-being. "One study found that 54% Americans are overwhelmed by clutter in their home. Research has found that cleaning is associated with physical and mental health benefits and can improve focus, productivity and ability to process information. How do you get started with spring cleaning? Start small, set a timer, enlist help and create a plan for what to do with items you no longer need."
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Connie Flanagan on: Student protests
Student protests about Gaza are intensifying across the country. Constance Flanagan, an expert on youth political engagement and civic participation, is available for interviews about the developing story.
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Mark Eppli on: Interest rates and home prices
Mark Eppli, director of the James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate, is available for interviews on the continued rise of home prices following the Fed's decision to leave current interest rates in place.
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Martin Ganco on: FTC announces rule banning noncompetes
The Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday voted to ban for-profit US employers from making employees sign agreements with noncompete clauses. Such a ban could affect tens of millions of workers. Noncompetes are a widespread practice imposing contractual conditions that prevent workers from taking a new job or starting a new business. An estimated 30 million workers—nearly one in five Americans—are subject to a noncompete.
"Consumers and workers clearly benefit from a labor market without NCAs," says Martin Ganco, a professor in the Department of Management and Human Resources at the Wisconsin School of Business.
Read more here.
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Noelle LoConte on: Cancer cases among younger people on the rise
The demographics of cancer patients are shifting from older individuals to middle-aged people, according to the American Cancer Society. While adults older than 50 experienced a drop in overall cancer incidence from 1995 to 2020, there was a notable increase in people younger than 50. Dr. Noelle LoConte, outreach program leader for the Carbone Cancer Center, can discuss.
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John Gross on: Trump trial and contempt of court law
John Gross, clinical associate professor, is available for interviews about how trial judge Juan Merchan can penalize breaches of New York's criminal contempt of court law during Donald Trump's hush-money trial. Gross says Justice Merchan has two options: fines or jail time.
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Kenneth Mayer on: Trump hush-money trial
Kenneth Mayer, an expert on the American presidency and a professor of political science, is available for interviews about former President Trump's hush-money trial underway in New York and what's at stake in the coming presidential election.
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Patrick (PJ) Liesch on: Cicada emergence
PJ Liesch is director of the UW–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab. Liesch can discuss the emergence of periodical cicadas, cicada biology, the timing and distribution of periodical cicadas in Wisconsin and the ecological impacts of these insects. Liesch is tracking the impact of early spring weather on cicada emergence. Liesch says, “A key factor for emergence of periodical cicadas is the temperature of the soil at a depth of 8 inches. The soil temperature must reach and exceed 64.5 F, so depending on weather, we could see emergence shifted a bit earlier.”
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William Brockliss on: Cicadas in the art of the ancient world
William Brockliss is a classics professor in the College of Letters and Science. Brockless says the music of cicadas is embedded within the poetry of ancient Greece. In The Illiad, says Brockliss, Homer “likens the chatter of old men to the sound of cicadas.” Another early poet, Hersiod, compares a single cicada to a singer, and possibly the poet himself.
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Daniel Young on: Cicada biology
Daniel Young is a professor of entomology and director of the UW–Madison Insect Research Collection. Young is an expert on insect classification and natural history and teaches a course called Introductory Entomology that covers brood XIII cicada emergence.
