UB Faculty Experts

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.

 

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.

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.

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

 

Stefanone is an expert on the use of social media and its impact on how information is used and disseminated in disaster situations.

 “There is a literature on when and why individuals help others. In emergency situations, the research tells us we are more likely to help when the situation is noticed -- and the media contributes to this greatly-- and is interpreted as an emergency by bystanders,” says Feeley, associate professor and chair of communication at UB and an expert in the area of social influence processes in health and organizational contexts.

 

“In this case the emergency is geographically distant in Haiti, but psychologically it is much closer to home, especially after Katrina. Individuals donate and help when they see a need to help and if the donation is likely to make a difference specific to the cause or tragedy.

 

“Recall the number of blood and financial donations to the Red Cross after 9-11 as an example. As humans, we are hardwired to help others in need; that is, we are inherently empathic, altruistic individuals and helping behavior is somewhat automated. Donating also is a form of helping that allows us to relieve our negative emotions like guilt and sadness that are brought on by emergencies.”