Experts available: Hurricane Helene response and recovery, Vice Presidential debate, 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
Hurricane Helene response and recovery efforts
As residents of the southeast coordinate widespread response and recovery efforts from Helene, it could be days before we know the extent of the damage and months or even years before critical infrastructure is restored. Liesel Ritchie, an expert in disaster events, can speak to the social impacts of hazards and disasters, particularly how communities respond to, react to, and recover from them. And Dan Goerlich leads the Virginia Cooperative Extension’s emergency preparedness and response efforts, offering valuable, research-based information to support communities preparing for and recovering from disasters.
Climate change, aging infrastructure, human decisions exacerbated Hurricane Helene flooding
Helene’s historic and unexpected flooding was the result of a combination of stronger storms driven by climate change, old dams and levees, and human expansion onto flood plains, says Manoochehr Shirzaei, an expert in coastal flooding. These factors conspired to amplify the destructive effects of Hurricane Helene and heighten the associated disaster risks. “Legacy systems, including levees, dams, bridges, roads, and electrical grids, were not originally designed to endure the growing severity of hurricanes exacerbated by climate change. As these structures deteriorate with time, their vulnerability to failure during extreme weather events increases,” he said. More here.
Candidates ready themselves for unique vice presidential debate
The vice presidential debate Tuesday evening is the final scheduled political showdown between the tickets before the election. With polls inconclusive amid an unprecedented leadup to November, the event may take on more significance than usual, says political expert Karen Hult. As for messaging, Cayce Myers expects both running mates to continue to hammer away at their opponents, while Megan Duncan believes there may be more interest in and viewership for the VP debate this cycle. More here.
California governor vetoes sweeping AI regulations
California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill Sunday that would have imposed strict new regulations on the development of artificial intelligence (AI), holding companies liable if the technology was used for harm — for example, assistance in plotting a terrorist attack. Tech companies strongly opposed the legislation. “Newsome's veto illustrates the tension between regulating artificial intelligence and encouraging innovation,” says media and communications expert Cayce Myers. “California has been a leader in AI regulation, but the question is to what extent are platforms liable for users' misconduct, particularly disinformation. Proponents of AI regulation say that the most impactful guardrails against misuse are regulation of the platforms.”
Fall foliage to reach peak in late October
Autumn has arrived, and folks looking forward to the best time to view the spectacular fall leaf colors won’t have long to wait, says John Seiler, Virginia Tech forestry professor and expert in tree physiology. Those colors should reach their peak from Oct. 19-27, about a week earlier than last year because of recent spans of dry weather. Read more of Seiler’s insights into what makes autumn leaves special here.
From tricks to treats: Virginia Tech experts share pumpkin care tips
As autumn sets in, orange and gold leaves paint the landscape and pumpkins arrive on front doorsteps. As a quintessential symbol for the season, pumpkins not only add charm but also require proper care to last. Virginia Cooperative Extension agriculture extension agents Ashley Edwards and Sarah Sharpe share their expert advice on choosing, preserving, and repurposing your pumpkins this fall.
Podcast: Alcohol use and intimate partner violence
Meagan Brem joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” podcast to discuss the intersection of alcohol use and intimate partner violence, highlighting the importance of understanding the causal relationship between the two. She debunked common myths, identified current knowledge gaps, and shared insights from ongoing studies. She also described the unique challenge of understanding these topics as they relate to LGBTQ+ populations and shared possible interventions on both societal and individual levels.
About Brem
Brem is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology and the director of the Research for Alcohol and Couples Health Lab at Virginia Tech. Her research examines targetable factors that moderate the risk of alcohol use leading to intimate partner/sexual violence, particularly among those who are at high risk of problematic drinking and violence.
Research highlights
New report: South Asia leads in agricultural productivity growth — can the world replicate its success?
Oct. 3, 2024, from 8-11 a.m.
National Press Club (529 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.) and online
Registration is required for both attendance options
The Global Agricultural Productivity Initiative at Virginia Tech releases and discusses the 2024 Global Agricultural Productivity (GAP) Report. Media are invited to attend and cover the event, which will feature a multisectoral panel exploring successful bundling approaches and an all-farmer panel to provide insights from the field.
New data from the 2024 GAP Report offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with the widespread adoption of productivity-enhancing tools, and how "bundling" these tools with other interventions will accelerate sustainable agricultural productivity growth.
Bridging the “valley of death” — the gap between developing innovative solutions and getting them to producers through commercialization or public delivery — must be a top priority in the coming decade. The report raises the need to rethink the ways we bundle production tools with distribution mechanisms, socio-economic tools, and policy levers to open new pathways to scale access and adoption, especially among smallholder producers.
An embargoed copy of the report and press kit materials are available upon request.
Media RSVP: Noah Frank, assistant director of D.C. area communications and news | nafrank@vt.edu| (805) 453-2556
Researchers publish real-time data to understand what happens when people lose their balance
Researchers at Virginia Tech are using wrist-worn voice recorders to capture real-world data to better understand what happens when people lose their balance. The study, led by Michael Madigan in the College of Engineering, builds on years of his own foundational work and prior research conducted by the University of Michigan Medical School. The findings were recently published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society and highlight how voice-recorders captured the moment when participants, who averaged 72 years of age, lost their balance. The study concludes that among older adults, voice recorders are effective at capturing the circumstances and context in which they lost their balance and potentially fell, without relying on recall later. More here.
