DePaul University experts available to discuss recovery, life after the COVID-19 pandemic

Scholars who research hospitality, transportation, supply chain management, public health, preparing for future pandemics and more can be reached directly at the email addresses below. Journalists on deadline can also contact DePaul’s media relations team for assistance at http://depaulne.ws/MediaContacts.

Ongoing updates, FAQs about DePaul University’s response and resources regarding COVID-19 can be found at http://go.depaul.edu/covid. Available experts include:

Health law

Wendy Netter Epstein, a professor in DePaul’s College of Law and faculty director of DePaul’s Jaharis Health Law Institute, can discuss how the Affordable Care Act and the potential for universal health care impact the response to COVID-19. She also has expertise on health insurance, payment and reimbursement; public health law; and social determinants of health that create inequities in the impact of the novel coronavirus. Epstein co-wrote a recent Chicago Tribune op-ed about “Obamacare” and COVID-19 that can be read at https://bit.ly/Epstein_CT.

Historian

Tom Mockaitis is a professor of history in DePaul’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. He can discuss white nationalism and the proliferation of conspiracy theories about the coronavirus, as well as a surge in gun purchases and survivalist mentalities. He is also an expert on the history of pandemics and how previous plagues can help us prepare for the future. A recent op-ed written by Mockaitis for The Hill discussing the dangers of guns in times of crisis can be read at https://bit.ly/Mockaitis_TheHill.

Political scientist

Wayne Steger, a professor of political science in DePaul’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, can speak to the different roles of the president and Congress during pandemics and global crises, and the economics surrounding stimulus packages created to boost the economy during tough times. Steger joined ABC7 Chicago in March to discuss the Illinois primary being held in the middle of a pandemic. The segment can be viewed at https://bit.ly/Steger_ABC7.

Homelessness

Lydia Stazen, executive director of the Institute of Global Homelessness at DePaul, can discuss why COVID-19 presents such a threat to people experiencing homelessness; global leading practices on addressing homelessness and COVID-19; and how Chicago stacks up at the intersection of health and homelessness. An op-ed Stazen co-wrote for Crux about the work of Vincentians to help the world’s homeless population can be read at https://bit.ly/Stazen_Crux.

Political theorist

David Lay Williams, a professor of political science in DePaul’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, is available to discuss social order, political implications of pandemic, and what the new economy might look like. Williams researches political theory, especially the history of political thought, and can also speak to economic inequality. An op-ed written by Williams for The Washington Post asking whether virtue matters in American politics today can be read at https://bit.ly/Williams_WP.

Supply chain management

Nezih Altay, a professor of management and a Fulbright Scholar who teaches operations management at DePaul’s Driehaus College of Business, can speak about what businesses can and should do to prepare for the next pandemic. Altay's research specializes in humanitarian supply chains, after-sale service operations, and disruption management. A Q&A with Altay can be found at http://depaulne.ws/altaycovid19.

Economist

Michael Miller, an associate professor of economics in DePaul’s Driehaus College of Business, can speak to government fiscal stimulus questions and monetary actions by the Federal Reserve that will support economic growth going forward in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. A segment on WGN-TV with Miller discussing skyrocketing unemployment during the pandemic can be viewed at https://bit.ly/Miller_WGN.

Travel and aviation industry

Joseph Schwieterman, professor and director of the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development at DePaul, can discuss how the pandemic has affected transit, ridesharing, urban transportation and the overall travel industry. Schwieterman is optimistic that airline travel is still poised to bounce back after the pandemic. He spoke with CNN in early April about his fears surrounding the airline industry post-pandemic. The article can be read at https://bit.ly/Schwieterman_CNN.

Hospitality

Nicholas Thomas is an associate professor and director of the School of Hospitality Leadership in DePaul’s Driehaus College of Business. He can discuss the impact of the coronavirus on the hospitality and tourism industry, including hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines and event management. He can also discuss how some organizations are helping their employees and adapting to decreases in business volume. Thomas joined WTTW in March to discuss how COVID-19 was impacting Chicago businesses and workers. The segment can be watched at https://bit.ly/Thomas_WTTW.

Work-life balance

Alyssa Westring, an associate professor of management in DePaul’s Driehaus College of Business, researches leadership and working parents. She can discuss celebrating Mother’s Day and Father’s Day during the pandemic, coping with ongoing uncertainty, trends for the future of work, gender equity during the pandemic and after, coping with burnout for working parents, and finding ways to thrive. She can also comment on working from home, communicating with your boss, and speaking with children about the virus. A Forbes Q&A with Westring discussing parenting and leadership can be read at https://bit.ly/Westring_Forbes.

Health communicator

Jay Baglia, an associate professor of health communication in DePaul’s College of Communication, is available to discuss the importance of effective communication around social support — both instrumental and emotional. He can discuss the continued importance of fact-based media reports and of hiring spokespeople who are both good storytellers and understand the science behind global, national or local public health threats. Baglia discusses communicating in a crisis with Bioethics.net. The article can be read at https://bit.ly/Baglia_Bioethics.

Virologist

Sarah Connolly is an associate professor of biological sciences and health sciences in DePaul’s College of Science and Health. She specializes in virology and can discuss how vaccines and drug trials work; how the COVID-19 pandemic could change the way people interact going forward; steps for countries to take to be better prepared for a future pandemic; and the challenge scientists and doctors face when dealing with a never-before-seen virus. Connolly joined WBEZ in late March to answer COVID-19 questions. The segment can be listened to at https://bit.ly/Connolly_WBEZ.

Cultural anthropologist

jjerome@depaul.edu​​​

Jessica Jerome, an associate professor of health communication in DePaul’s College of Science and Health, is a cultural anthropologist and can discuss the impact COVID-19 might have on how countries handle public health going forward.

Bioethicist

Craig Klugman is a bioethicist, medical anthropologist and a professor of health sciences in DePaul’s College of Science and Health. He can speak to the planning needed to be better prepared for a future pandemic; the importance of amassing a more vibrant stockpile of resources; the federal government’s response to pandemics and the role states play in preparing for the future; the need to tackle social inequities now to best keep people safe during future health emergencies; and the debate between restarting the economy and saving lives. An op-ed Klugman co-wrote for The Chicago Tribune, which notes that health care goals remain unchanged, even in an unprecedented crisis, can be read at https://bit.ly/Klugman_CT​.

Public health

Cricel Molina, an assistant teaching professor in DePaul’s College of Science and Health, is a public health gerontologist. She can discuss health disparities, the role of social distancing in flattening the curve, and how testing will impact the return to school and work. She was interviewed by The Daily Beast about an Illinois bar ignoring orders to close during the COVID-19 pandemic. The article can be read at https://bit.ly/Molina_DB.

Public health

Daniel Schober, an assistant professor of public health in DePaul’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, researches health inequalities in Chicago and can discuss the disparities experienced by minorities amid the pandemic, structural causes of these disparities and ways elected officials can help address these issues. A Q&A with Schober can be found at http://depaulne.ws/aa_covid19.

Clinical psychologist

Joanna Buscemi, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor in DePaul’s College of Science and Health, focuses on helping youth and those with cancer make healthy choices. She can discuss declines in physical activity and weight gain during sheltering in place, as well as the racial inequalities exacerbating COVID-19 for minorities. An op-ed Buscemi wrote for The Chicago Tribune about school meal nutrition rollbacks can be read at https://bit.ly/Buscemi_CT.

Social-Community Psychologist

Joseph Ferrari, a professor of psychology in DePaul’s College of Science and Health, can discuss rebuilding community, keeping up volunteerism; the difference between physical and social distancing; the role of spirituality as a source of comfort; productivity, procrastination and decluttering while sheltering in place. Ferrari spoke with Grow Wire about overcoming procrastination while working from home, which can be read at https://bit.ly/Ferrari_GW.

Community psychologist

Leonard Jason, a psychology professor and director of the Center for Community Research in DePaul’s College of Science and Health, can discuss coping strategies for those suffering during the pandemic, as well as the lasting effects the virus may have on patients’ health. Jason is a nationally renowned expert on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, which can be brought on by an initial illness. Jason discusses his latest research on ME/CFS with The Chicago Tribune at https://bit.ly/Jason_CT.

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Russell Dorn

312-956-2176 mobile

Kristin Claes Mathews

312-241-9856 mobile​