Experts available: Israel-Iran airstrikes, rise in political violence, Juneteenth, 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
Air war between Israel and Iran continues for fourth day
Air strikes launched by Israel led to exchanges of missile volleys throughout the weekend between the two countries with civilians killed on both sides. Israel has taken control of Iran’s airspace and claims to have killed many high-ranking Iranian military and intelligence leaders but has at best moderately damaged Iran’s nascent nuclear program. Iran is reportedly signaling a wish to end the conflict. Middle East experts Ariel Ahram and Joel Peters can discuss the context and implications of these developments. [Limited availability.]
Minnesota shootings part of larger rise in political violence
Over the weekend, Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in their home, while Democratic Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot but are expected to survive. The attack appears to be just the latest politically motivated act of violence in America. “The recent increase in political violence is very likely the result of growing political polarization in recent years,” says James Hawdon, director of the Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention, who studies online extremism. “There has always been division along party lines, but the division has grown sharply over the past 20 years.”
The importance of celebrating Juneteenth
Four years ago, Juneteenth became a federal holiday in the United States. June 19 marks the day in 1865 that Black slaves living in Texas learned that they were free, two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. African American communities have celebrated Juneteenth for years. Dan Thorp, a scholar on Black history in Virginia, can discuss why it is important for the United States to continue to recognize Juneteenth and the significance of the historic day.
Research highlights
New study shines a light on nieces and nephews caring for relatives with dementia
A Virginia Tech study provides new insights about nieces and nephews taking care of aging relatives living with dementia. Published in The Gerontologist, the initial findings from the study provide the first focused examination of niece and nephew dementia caregivers. The study details that two-thirds of the extended family caregivers studied never expected to be in that role, but rather abruptly fell into it.
“That spontaneity shows extraordinary love and empathy while masking a lot of real stress,” said Tina Savla, professor of human development and family science and co-author of the study. “They carry all of the responsibilities associated with primary caregiving while also managing their own households, children, and work.” The study also revealed that the nieces and nephews often had lifelong relationships with their relatives, shaped by generational ties that positioned them as potential caregivers. More here.
New research uses trauma-informed AI model to support survivors
When sexual assault survivors choose to share their stories online, they often turn to anonymous platforms like Reddit. The posts they write can be long and emotionally complex, which can make it difficult for “helpers,” fellow Reddit users who offer support and advice, to assist them effectively. Vaibhav Garg worked with a team from other universities to develop an AI model that highlights key parts of long-form Reddit posts about sexual violence such as sexual harassment and assault, to make it easier for helpers to read, understand, and respond to the victims with care. “It can inspire others across the tech sector to build tools that ensure stories from vulnerable communities are heard – and responded to – with empathy,” says Garg.
Virginia Tech leads innovative initiative to tackle PFAS pollution in Northern Virginia's drinking water supply
An estimated 158 million Americans are exposed to PFAS — perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or “forever chemicals” that have been linked to cancer, immune dysfunction, and developmental issues in children — in their drinking water. The Occoquan Reservoir, which supplies drinking water to nearly 1 million residents in the greater Washington, D.C., area currently exceeds the Environmental Protection Agency’s maximum PFAS contaminant levels.
Recognizing the challenges posed by PFAS contamination in the Occoquan Reservoir, Fairfax Water approached Stanley Grant, professor of civil and environmental engineering and director of Virginia Tech’s Occoquan Watershed Monitoring Laboratory, to lead a transformative research initiative in partnership with public utilities and with funding from The Water Research Foundation. Researchers hope to not only reduce PFAS in the Occoquan Reservoir, but to create a model for battling PFAS nationwide by taking an integrated look at how all water uses in the watershed are part of a single, interconnected system. More here.
