Contact Information

UB Experts Available to Discuss Hurricane Sandy

UB faculty members are available to discuss challenges relating to the arrival of Hurricane Sandy on the East Coast, including threats to buildings, infrastructure and water supplies. A partial list of available experts follows. News media may contact these professors directly. To reach professors after hours, contact Charlotte Hsu in the Office of University Communications at 510-388-1831. 
THREATS TO BUILDINGS, INFRASTRUCTURE
Andrew Whittaker, PhD
Director of MCEER (UB’s extreme events engineering research center); Professor of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering
UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
716-645-4364
Whittaker can address questions regarding the storm’s effect on infrastructure, especially buildings and other man-made structures. He directs MCEER, a national center of excellence in advanced technology applications dedicated to reducing losses from extreme events. Teams from MCEER have conducted reconnaissance in regions hit hard by hurricanes or earthquakes, such as the Gulf Coast, Haiti and Chile.
 
 
NEW AT 2:02 P.M.: PUBLIC HEALTH FOLLOWING A STORM
Pavani Ram, MD
Associate Professor of Social and Preventive Medicine
UB School of Public Health and Health Professions
716-829-5380 or through Ellen Goldbaum at 716-645-4605
Ram can discuss the public health consequences resulting from the widespread loss of power and water, and other public health issues arising from Hurricane Sandy. Ram has been involved in reconnaissance trips to areas hit by extreme events, including Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.
She says issues to be aware of include the hazards associated with using generators: She says people should review instructions for generators and to be sure to use them in very well-ventilated areas. She adds that people should try to stay informed about boil water advisories in their areas, a point of particular concern for the elderly and very young.
 
DAMAGE TO BRIDGES
Jerome S. O'Connor, MEng
Adjunct Professor of Professional Practice of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering
UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
716-645-5155
A former bridge management engineer with the New York State Department of Transportation, O’Connor can address questions regarding the storm’s effect on bridges.
 
WATER SUPPLY
James N. Jensen, PhD
Professor of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering
UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
716-645-4007
Jensen can address questions regarding the storm’s effect on water systems and the availability of supplies during emergencies and disasters. He was one of six UB researchers to visit the Gulf Coast soon after Hurricane Katrina hit as part of a National Science Foundation-funded mission organized by MCEER, UB’s extreme events engineering research center.
 
PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA AND DISASTERS
Nancy J. Smyth, PhD, MSW
Dean and Professor of Social Work
UB School of Social Work
Contact Dr. Smyth through Anna Cerrato at 716-645-1266
Smyth is an expert on psychological trauma and the effects on those experiencing traumas. Smyth is known for teaching her students the role trauma plays in social problems. She can address questions on how the storm and associated threats can affect people caught in its wake, from both a short- and long-term perspective.
 
PERSONAL HEALTH AND DISASTER RESPONSE
Jessica Castner, PhD, RN
Research Assistant Professor of Nursing
UB School of Nursing
716-829-2060
Castner is a board-certified emergency nurse. She has experience reviewing disaster plans for hospitals and educating health care providers and the public on personal health and disaster response. She studies emergency department utilization, as well as hospital quality and safety. Castner can address common issues seen in emergency departments during weather emergencies.
 
EVACUATION AND TRANSPORTATION:
Adel Sadek, PhD
Director of UB’s Transportation Systems Laboratory
Associate Professor of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering
UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
716-645-4367; 716-374-4747 (cell)
Sadek can address questions on emergency evacuation and transportation during the storm. He studies the use of new technologies such as collision avoidance systems, adaptive traffic control and dynamic route guidance to increase safety and efficiency.
 
Daniel Hess, PhD
Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Planning
UB School of Architecture and Planning, University at Buffalo
Contact Dr. Hess through Patricia Donovan at 716-645-4602
Hess is an expert on planning practice and public policies in cities and their influence on travel behavior, including in emergency situations. He studies transit system performance (buses, rapid transit, trains) and alternate transit-oriented development.
 
COMMUNICATION IN A DISASTER
Natalie Simpson, PhD
Associate Professor of Operations Management and Strategy
UB School of Management
716-493-8090 (cell)
Note: Simpson prefers to be reached by email.
Simpson studies emergency responses and emergency services as a unique sector of service management, analyzing and evaluating elements of successful operations in highly uncertain conditions. She has special interest and expertise in emergency and disaster communications. She has served as a volunteer firefighter since 1997.
 
Michael Stefanone, PhD
Assistant Professor of Communication
UB College of Arts and Sciences
Contact Dr. Stefanone through Patricia Donovan at 716-645-4602
Stefanone is an expert on the use of social media and its impact on how information is used and disseminated in disaster situations.

 

Related Topics:

disaster response, hurricane sandy, tropical storms

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