April

A unique combination of a pandemic, stay-at-home orders and an ongoing price war between the world's top oil producers has led to historically low oil prices and a growing global crisis. Auburn University’s Hyeongwoo Kim, Patrick E. Molony Professor & Department Chair of Economics, took time to help sort it all out.

Auburn University Professor Kimberly Key provides information on federal stimulus checks, payment amounts and how long it might take to receive them. She serves as the PWC Professor of Accounting in Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business.

In order to serve the health and relational needs of the public while following guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Auburn University Marriage and Family Therapy program has introduced Technology Assisted Family Therapy Services, or TAFTS. These therapy services, conducted online, are designed to improve the mental health and well-being of clients from a safe physical distance. Center Director and Associate Professor Scott Ketring and Assistant Professor Lauren Ruhlmann in the College of Human Sciences’ Department of Human Development and Family Studies share everything you need to know about TAFTS and telehealth.

Robert Judd, professor of pharmacology and chair of the Boshell Diabetes and Metabolic Disease Research Program in Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine, discusses the importance of preventative measures for diabetics and how COVID-19 increases the risk of serious complications for these patients.

Sarah Zohdy, assistant professor of disease ecology in Auburn University’s School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine, discusses what leads to the emergence and spread of novel viruses; the major threats to human and animal health; and how the spread could be rooted in the loss of natural, wildlife habitats.

As P.T. Barnum famously said, "The show must go on." With theatre closed, from Broadway to your local community playhouse, some artists have turned to digital or virtual platforms to continue to engage with audiences. Chase Bringardner, professor and chair of the Department of Theatre, comments on the current climate of the performing arts, what they might look like as a result of the pandemic, and how we can continue to support the art of the theatre and its performers. 

Wednesday marks the 50th installment of Earth Day, and with most of the world following stay-at-home ordinances in recent weeks, some say the environment has had time to recover in the wake of far fewer people on the roads and in the air and a massive reduction in nitrogen dioxide emissions from automobiles. Chandana Mitra, an associate professor in Auburn University’s department of geosciences, gives her thoughts about what she says are the positive byproducts that have come about by the coronavirus-forced lockdown and what it could mean going forward.

Auburn University Health Administration professors Cathleen Erwin, Geoffrey Silvera, Haneen Ali and Lori Redding discuss the impact of the coronavirus on the U.S. health care system and how it could affect everyone going forward.

Danielle Wadsworth, an associate professor in Auburn University’s School of Kinesiology, leads the Exercise Adherence and Obesity Prevention Lab. Her research focuses on increasing physical activity participation and adherence through examining factors that motivate people to exercise and adhere to an exercise regimen over a long period of time. Wadsworth aims to develop techniques that make exercise fun and enjoyable, and therefore, more likely that people will regularly engage in the behaviors.

Rafay Ishfaq, the W. Allen Reed Associate Professor of supply chain management in Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business, has conducted research on the benefits and challenges of providing healthcare delivery via telemedicine—in which patients uses a smart phone app or home computer to connect with a doctor via video. As the world faces the COVID-19 pandemic, he says telemedicine can help with delivering healthcare to non-coronavirus patients as a way to meet the capacity and inventory challenges faced by healthcare supply chains.

With some job offers now being rescinded and the nation’s job market tightening for recent college graduates amid the coronavirus pandemic, it’s all the more important for candidates to do all they can to market themselves and network–albeit through virtual means. Auburn University’s Jan Moppert, director of the Office of Professional and Career Development in Auburn’s Harbert College of Business, addresses this tough job market and offers tips on how recent graduates can set themselves up for success even in such unprecedented times.

Joseph Giambrone, a professor emeritus in Auburn University’s Department of Poultry Science with a joint appointment in the Department of Pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine, offers his thoughts about how coronaviruses will never be totally eradicated and how pandemics normally occur in waves of infection. He comments on the stability of the SARS CoV-2 virus, how best to mitigate transmissions and says constant surveillance of wild animals and those sold in live animal markets is a necessity. 

Dr. Constantinos Kyriakis, assistant professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Pathobiology, discusses the role of vaccines in protecting against COVID-19 and helping prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, as well as the unique challenges scientists are facing in developing safe, effective vaccine candidates. His research, primarily focused on ­zoonotic influenza viruses and novel vaccine technologies for more than a decade, will soon involve a minimally invasive study of a variety of COVID-19 vaccine candidates’ ability to trigger an immune response in swine when used alone or in combination with adjuvants.

Peter Weber teaches in Auburn’s philanthropy and nonprofit studies program, which helps students identify their philanthropic priorities and be strategic in their philanthropy. Weber shares his expertise in this crucial time of giving and comments on how philanthropic work benefits COVID-19 relief.

As a faculty member in Auburn’s Marriage and Family Therapy program, part of Josh Novak’s research investigates relationship dynamics during acute sickness such as cold and flu. He applies what he’s learned about disease to COVID-19, how it may affect relationships and offers helpful resources that couples can take advantage of during this time.

With the news of COVID-19 spreading throughout the United States, most look to health care providers for information on how to treat or cure the disease. Just as important, according to the Harrison School of Pharmacy’s Jan Kavookjian, is learning new preventive healthy habits in our daily lives.

The information in this Q&A is based on relevant data as of the date of publication and will be updated as new information is received.

Bob Norton, chair of the Auburn University Food System Institute’s Food and Water Defense Working Group, discusses how modeling is conducted when estimates are made on the possible number of COVID-19 deaths. He also provides information on why certain states are seeing higher numbers, and tells why the food supply is safe.

Auburn University tax expert Kerry Inger, associate professor in the School of Accountancy in the Harbert College of Business, explains how individuals and corporations can apply and benefit from the recently passed Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.