KINGSTON, R.I. – March 31, 2020 – The following University of Rhode Island experts are available for media interviews on different aspects of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
U.S. Economy
Professor of Economics Richard McIntyre is political economist whose research focuses on comparative and international political economies, labor relations and labor standards, and contemporary heterodox economics. In addition to serving as chair of the department, McIntyre has been an editor, reviewer and contributor to multiple books and academic journals. McIntyre can discuss economic response to the crisis in the U.S. and other countries, class structure, labor economics and current economic policy and aid packages.
Parenting and Early Childhood
Phyllis Penhallow is a senior lecturer and academic advisor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies focusing both on parenting and early childhood education. As a Certified Family Life Educator, Penhallow will be hosting an open forum, parent support webinar every Wednesday evening in April during which she will answer questions, bring up topics, offer suggestions and strategies, and provide general and remote support to parents with children ages birth-age 5. She can provide guidance for parents now working from home with younger children and speak to confronting the challenge of homeschooling, ways to keep kids active and engaged, as well as how to talk with younger children about what is happening.
Older Adults
Associate Professor Skye Leedahl has a joint appointment in the Departments of Human Development and Family Studies & Political Science. Her research is focused on improving overall health and quality of life for older adults at multiple levels. Her past and current research projects involve developing and evaluating public programs, interventions, and services for addressing social and health needs of older adults. Professor Leedahl can provide advice for older adults or those caring for older adults and discuss how to keep and maintain social connections during this period of isolation.
Educator Support
As the Directors of the Feinstein Child Development Center in Providence and the URI Child Development Center in Kingston, Delia Hall and Jessica MacLeod, respectively, have expertise in early learning program leadership, early childhood education, child development, and teaching young children as well as adult learners. In addition to teaching courses at the college level, Hall and MacLeod are also involved in developing and providing professional development opportunities that support educators and improve programs with evidence-based practices. McLeod and Hall can provide advice for teachers trying to get through this period and discuss ways for teachers to maintain their connections with students during school closures.
Infectious disease
Professor of Pharmacy Jeffrey Bratberg is a public health and infectious disease expert. A member of the Rhode Island Disaster Medical Assistance Team and the Rhode Island Medical Reserve Corps, he travels to the scene of major disasters to provide prescription drug-related assistance to disaster victims, including having assisted with the H1N1 swine flu epidemic in Rhode Island and the response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster in New Orleans. Most recently, he addressed the risks of the Ebola epidemic, easing the minds of concerned Rhode Islanders with helpful information.
Rhode Island Economy
Professor of Economics Leonard Lardaro is an expert on the state and national economy whose monthly Current Conditions Index (CCI) has long been a barometer of Rhode Island’s economic outlook. Lardaro is frequently interviewed by local media outlets on the state and national and financial markets, and has been a contributor to publications such as Business Economics, The Providence Journal and Providence Business News. The CCI, published monthly by the Providence Business News and other outlets, is the longest running economic analysis of Rhode Island. Lardaro can address the effect of the crisis on the Rhode Island economy.
Psychology
Professor of Psychology Ellen Flannery-Schroeder is an expert on the nature of anxiety and depressive disorders in children and adults. As Director of the Pediatric and Adolescent Anxiety Lab at the University of Rhode Island, she researches the development, maintenance and treatment of childhood and adolescent anxiety disorder. As the Director of Training in Clinical Psychology she has expertise in individual, family and group approaches to treating anxiety and depression. Flannery-Schroeder can offer guidance for those trying to manage their own (or their children’s) stress and anxiety during this difficult time.
Physical Activity
Professor of Exercise Science Deborah Riebe’s research focuses around physical activity interventions for a variety of populations including apparently healthy adults, those with common chronic diseases, older adults, and individuals who are overweight or obese. Riebe is also the Associate Dean of the College of Health Sciences and has received research funding in the areas of weight management and physical activity promotion from the American Cancer Society, the National Institutes of Health, and the Champlin Foundations. She can speak to the importance of physical activity to one’s daily routine and overall health as well as offer suggestions as to ways for children and adults to stay physically active during this period of self-isolation.
To schedule an interview, contact:
Anthony LaRoche, URI Communications, at (401) 874-4894, or anthony_laroche@uri.edu,
or Dawn Bergantino, URI Communications, at (401) 874-4147, or dawn_bergantino@uri.edu