RTI offers expertise across a myriad of issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our experts have been featured in top news outlets, including the Associated Press, CNBC, CNN, NBC, New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post. To arrange an interview with an RTI expert focused on COVID-19 and related issues, please contact news@rti.org.
Misinformation: Brian Southwell, PhD
Brian Southwell is an expert in communication and human behavior, as well as misinformation and how it spreads. He can speak to tactics for communicating to the public the importance of getting a seasonal flu vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic. He can also speak to the rapid spread of misinformation that we've seen throughout the pandemic and how to counter it.
Infectious Disease Prevention & Control: Richard Reithinger, PhD
Richard Reithinger, Vice President of Global Health at RTI, is available to comment on infectious disease prevention and control, global COVID-19 vaccine distribution, COVID-19 booster shots and vaccine diplomacy.
Epidemiology: Pia MacDonald, PhD
Pia MacDonald, Epidemiologist and Senior Research Director of Public Health, is using her experience from past pandemics to track the potential spread and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. MacDonald can provide insights and recommendations for best practices for effective COVID testing, contact tracing and screening processes to curb infection rates and protect lives.
Economic Recovery and Repair: Sara Lawrence
Sara Lawrence is an economic development expert and Program Director of Economic Development at RTI. She can speak to the economic recovery process geographic regions across the U.S. are facing, and will continue to face, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Screening: Meera Viswanathan, PhD
Meera Viswanathan is the Director of the RTI-UNC Evidence-based Practice Center. Dr. Viswanathan is available for comment on her findings in a recent publication, which suggests that screening methods are highly likely to miss people infected with COVID-19. She can discuss the key measures that could make COVID-19 screening more effective.
Chronic Diseases and COVID-19: Rachel Nugent, PhD
Rachel Nugent, Vice President and Director of RTI's Global Center for Noncommunicable Diseases, is available to speak to the severe consequences of COVID-19 when paired with a pre-existing chronic disease.
Alcohol Consumption: Carolina Barbosa, PhD
Carolina Barbosa, health economist, led a survey that found that alcohol consumption increased in the initial phases of the pandemic for the general adult population in the U.S. Dr. Barbosa is available to comment on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on alcohol consumption.
Learning Loss: Joseph DeStefano
Joseph DeStefano is a Senior Director in RTI's International Education program. He can speak to the impact of COVID-19 related school closures around the world and the simultaneous learning loss expected. RTI's learning loss research aims to inform re-opening plans taking into consideration students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Addiction Treatment: Tami Mark
Tami Mark, an internationally known health economist and expert on behavioral health care financing, is available to comment on the challenges posed by COVID-19 for people seeking treatment for substance use disorders.
Racial Disparity: LaShawn Glasgow, DrPH
LaShawn Glasgow is the Director of Community and Workplace Health at RTI. Dr. Glasgow is available to comment on COVID-19’s impact on the health of racial and ethnic minority groups across the U.S.
International Development: Paul Weisenfeld
Paul Weisenfeld is the Executive Vice President for International Development at RTI. He can speak to initiatives and policies that could be used to combat a hunger crisis overseas.
Domestic Food Waste and Supply: Mary Muth, PhD
Mary Muth conducts research studies to analyze the impacts of policies, regulations, and other initiatives affecting food and agriculture. Dr. Muth’s work has been published widely, and she can speak on a range of topics involving food in relation to COVID-19, with an emphasis on food waste.
Education: Angela Quick, EdD
Angela Quick, Vice President of Education and Workforce Development at RTI, is available to comment on the impact and challenges the COVID-19 pandemic will bring to K-12 and higher education schools, districts, and systems.
Epidemiology, Zoonotic Diseases: Donal Bisanzio, PhD
Donal Bisanzio, a Senior Epidemiologist, is available to comment on zoonotic diseases—infectious diseases passed from animals to humans—in relation to COVID-19.
Courts and Corrections: Matthew DeMichele, PhD
Matthew DeMichele, Director of the Center for Courts and Corrections Research at RTI Iis available to comment on potential challenges inmates may face while under the recently mandated in-cell quarantine and adversely, the risks of re-entry if released from incarceration early.
Gender-Specific Risks: Wendee Wechsberg, PhD
Wendee Wechsberg, Director of RTI International’s Global Gender Center, is available to comment on the potential risks vulnerable populations—specifically women—may face throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Justice System, Intimate Partner Violence: Tasseli McKay, MPH
Tasseli McKay examines domestic violence in marginalized communities and relationships. Findings from her recent study evaluates instances of domestic violence following a male partner’s return from incarceration. These results are applicable to the impending release of incarcerated individuals in light of COVID-19.
Global Food Insecurity: Tracy Slaybaugh-Mitchell
Tracy Slaybaugh-Mitchell is an agriculturalist focused on building resilience and food security. She can speak to the impact the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the global hunger crisis.