Experts available: Winter storms, Russia-Ukraine war, flu season, ultrasound treatments, and more
The Virginia Tech media relations office has the following experts available for interviews this week surrounding issues in the news. To schedule an interview, please contact mediarelations@vt.edu.
Virginia Tech experts available to discuss headlines in the news
Active jet stream brings another winter storm to the Mid-Atlantic
While the East Coast is still digging out from last week’s storm, more turbulent weather is in the forecast. The last couple of weeks have seen “highly variable conditions due to an "active" jet stream,” says meteorology expert Craig Ramseyer. The successive low-pressure systems in the Mid-Atlantic have brought winter weather followed by heavy rainfall, leading to deadly and catastrophic floods across Central Appalachia (Eastern KY, Southern WV, and Southwest VA). “This active pattern is likely to last most of the week as another low-pressure system impacts the Mid-Atlantic,” says Ramseyer.
United States to begin talks with Russia, but not Ukraine, about ending the war
The Trump administration has stated its intention to enter into talks with Russia about ending the war with Ukraine — and neither the European Union nor Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have been invited to these talks. Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine will not accept any terms negotiated with Putin without Ukraine’s involvement. International security expert Yannis Stivachtis can provide context for these developments. More about his thoughts and expertise here. [Available starting Tuesday]
Worst flu season in more than a decade, according to CDC
The CDC estimates there have been at least 29 million illnesses, 370,000 hospitalizations, and 16,000 deaths from flu so far this season. The CDC advises that anyone over six months of age who has not received the vaccine yet should get it immediately. Dr. Ryan Fulton, section chief of general pediatrics at Carilion Children’s and faculty member at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, and epidemiologist Dr. Lisa Lee can speak to the spread of the flu this season and the public health impacts. [Lee is not available until mid-week]
Podcast: Treating cancer with novel ultrasound technology
Eli Vlaisavljevich joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about histotripsy, a novel ultrasound therapy for cancer treatment. He explained the mechanics of how histotripsy works, its clinical applications, and the body's immune response to tumor liquefaction. Vlaisavljevisch also shared insights related to the development of histotripsy devices, patient experiences, and future directions in cancer treatment.
About Vlaisavljevich
Eli Vlaisavljevich is an associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics. His research interests include biomaterials, biomechanics, biomedical imaging, nanobioengineering and tissue engineering. Vlaisavljevich also leads the Therapeutic Ultrasound and Non-Invasive Therapies Laboratory in investigating the physical mechanisms with which ultrasound interacts with tissue in order to develop non-invasive therapies for a wide range of clinical applications.
Research Highlight
Researchers are driving the charge of zero emissions
It is commonly known that while electric vehicles do not produce tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions while driving, they do create debris from tire and brake abrasion. However, the degree to which they do and how that compares to internal combustion engine vehicles was largely unknown until the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute's Hesham Rakha investigated it.
In an article published in Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, Rakha, alongside institute research associate Mohamed Farag and Associate Professor of civil and environmental engineering Hosein Foroutan, reported findings that indicate electric vehicles generally produce less non-exhaust emissions. More here.
