UI media experts can discuss flood and recovery for stories

The following experts on the University of Iowa faculty and staff are available to discuss with the media the various aspects of the flood and flood cleanup. Please note that the university's TV studio is temporarily unavailable due to the flooding.

ALLERGIES/MOLD:

Antoine Azar, M.D., clinical assistant professor of internal medicine, UI Carver College of Medicine and UI Hospitals and Clinics, 319-356-4899, antoine-azar@uiowa.edu

Amy Dowden, M.D., associate in internal medicine, UI Carver College of Medicine and UI Hospitals and Clinics, 319-356-2150, amy-dowden@uiowa.edu

BIO-AEROSOLS

--Peter Thorne, Ph.D., professor of occupational and environmental health and director of the UI Environmental Health Sciences Research Center, 319-335-4216, peter-thorne@uiowa.edu

--Wayne Sanderson, Ph.D., professor of occupational and environmental health and director of the UI Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health, 319-335-4207, wayne-sanderson@uiowa.edu

DOCUMENT AND MANUSCRIPT RESTORATION

--Nancy E. Kraft, head of preservation, University of Iowa Libraries, and co-editor of “The Flood Recovery Book.” Can discuss how to restore books, photos and other items that have been damaged in a flood. Phone: 319-360-5387 or 319-395-7418. Email: nancy-e-kraft@uiowa.edu

ECONOMIC IMPACT

--Charles Whiteman, professor of economics, former director of the Institute for Economic Research, Tippie College of Business. Can discuss the impact of the flooding on the state and national economies. Phone: 319-335-0863. Email: whiteman@uiowa.edu

--Beth Ingram, professor of economics, former director of Institute for Economic Research, Tippie College of Business. Can also discuss economic impact of the flooding. Phone: 319-354-0077, or 319-331-9076. Email: beth-ingram@uiowa.edu

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Wayne Sanderson, Ph.D., professor of occupational and environmental health and director of the UI Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health, 319-335-4207, wayne-sanderson@uiowa.edu

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Michael Wichman, Ph.D., associate director of environmental services, University Hygienic Laboratory; Peter Thorne, Ph.D., professor of occupational and environmental health and director of the UI Environmental Health Sciences Research Center, 319-335-4216, peter-thorne@uiowa.edu

GENERAL PUBLIC HEALTH TOPICS RELATED TO FLOOD RECOVERY OPERATIONS

--Christopher Atchison, M.P.A., director of the University Hygienic Laboratory, 319-335-4259, chris-atchison@uiowa.edu

--James Merchant, M.D., Dr.P.H., dean of the UI College of Public Health, 319-384-5452, james-merchant@uiowa.edu

HEALTH CARE

--Kathleen Staley, assistant director of University Counseling Services and licensed psychologist. Can discuss mental health issues the impact of floods and post-flood recovery. Phone: 319-335-7294. Email: kathleen-staley@uiowa.edu

HYDROLOGY AND ENGINEERING

--Larry J. Weber, professor of civil and environmental engineering and director of IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering in the University of Iowa College of Engineering. Can comment on river hydraulics. Phone: 319-331-1135. Email: larry-weber@uiowa.edu

INFECTION RISKS

--Gregory Gray, M.D., professor of epidemiology and director of the UI Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, 319-384-5008, gregory-gray@uiowa.edu

--Michael Pentella, Ph.D., associate director of infectious disease, University Hygienic Laboratory, 319-335-4765, michael-pentella@uiowa.edu

INJURIES

--Corinne Peek-Asa, Ph.D., professor of occupational and environmental health, and director of the UI Injury Prevention Research Center, 319-335-4895, corinne-peek-asa@uiowa.edu

--Marizen Ramirez, Ph.D., assistant professor of occupational and environmental health, 319-335-4425, marizen-ramirez@uiowa.edu

INSURANCE AND FINANCE

--J. Tyler Leverty, assistant professor of finance in the Vaughan Institute of Risk Management and Insurance, Tippie College of Business. Can discuss issues concerning flooding and its effects on property and homeowners insurance. Phone: 319-337-4447. Email: ty-leverty@uiowa.edu

MENTAL HEALTH

--Kathleen Staley, Ph.D., assistant director, University Counseling Service, 319-335 7294, kathleen-staley@uiowa.edu

--Michael Flaum, M.D., director, division of public and community psychiatry , 319-353-4340, michael-flaum@uiowa.edu

PUBLIC HEALTH

--Christopher Atchison, director of the University Hygienic Laboratory. Can discuss flooding-related issues such as water quality, water- and mosquito-borne illnesses, and public health practices during flood-recovery efforts. Phone: 310-335-4500. Email: chris-atchison@uiowa.edu

PUBLIC POLICY

--Jeffrey Schott, director of the College of Law's Institute of Public Affairs and adjunct professor of urban and regional planning. Can discuss public policy impacts of a flood. Jeff was also the long-time city manager of Marion, Iowa, where he dealt with frequent flood clean-ups. Phone: 319-329-6207. Email: jeff-schott@uiowa.edu

SURVEILLANCE (TRACKING ILLNESSES AND INJURIES AFTER THE FLOOD)

-- Infectious diseases: Michael Pentella, Ph.D., associate director of infectious disease, University Hygienic Laboratory, 319-335-4765, michael-pentella@uiowa.edu

--Injuries: Corinne Peek-Asa, Ph.D., professor of occupational and environmental health, and director of the UI Injury Prevention Research Center, 319-335-4895, corinne-peek-asa@uiowa.edu; Marizen Ramirez, Ph.D., assistant professor of occupational and environmental health, 319-335-4425, marizen-ramirez@uiowa.edu

WATER QUALITY

--Nancy Hall, supervisor of environmental microbiology, University Hygienic Laboratory, 319-335-4331, nancy-hall@uiowa.edu