The University of South Florida offers a variety of faculty experts for storm-related stories. Listed below are some of our experts, along with their focus areas. Members of the media who are interested in an interview are asked to contact Althea Paul at altheapaul@usf.edu or (305) 495-0306.
Hurricanes, Wind, Storm Surge and Coastal Subsidence
Robert Weisberg (College of Marine Science) studies ocean circulation and ocean-atmosphere interaction in the tropics, on continental shelves and in estuaries. Predicting hurricane storm surge, the accompanying waves, and the damage that may be caused by these is his area of expertise. Along with hurricane storm surge, Weisberg can comment on tropical ocean currents, sea surface temperature, and the relationship between these factors and climate.
Mark Luther (College of Marine Science) uses real-time ocean observations with numerical models of ocean currents to address various challenges ranging from maritime safety and security to water quality and ocean responses to climate change. He is director of the Center for Maritime and Port Studies and has provided operation and maintenance support for the NOAA/NOS Tampa Bay Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System since 1995. Luther can comment on port security, storm surge, and the broader relationship between hurricanes, climate change, and the ocean.
Gary Mitchum (College of Marine Science) associate dean at the College of Marine Science, is a global sea level rise expert who has served on the Tampa Bay Climate Science Advisory Panel that helps to establish local seal level rise projections. He can comment on the broader connections between climate change and hurricanes, as well as the impacts of sea level rise, storm surge, and hurricanes in Tampa Bay.
Jennifer Collins (School of Geosciences) is a professor whose research on weather and climate investigates tropical climatology and hurricane activity. She works closely on projects with the National Weather Service involving weather and hazards. She investigates active and inactive seasons and hurricane evacuation behavior.
Timothy Dixon (School of Geosciences) is a professor who uses satellite geodesy (GPS, InSAR) to study coastal subsidence as well as earthquake and volcano deformation, aquifer depletion, and melting of ice sheets and glaciers. He can talk about the effects of hurricanes as they relate to coastal flooding and long-term changes in the coastline.
Chris Meindl (College of Arts & Sciences) is an associate professor of geography who specializes in human-environment interactions in Florida. His research touches on people’s perceptions of environmental issues, especially natural hazards and water resources.
Hurricanes and Flood Risk Awareness
Phil Trocchia (Muma College of Business) is a professor of marketing who specializes in research on consumer behavior and business education. Recently, Trocchia designed and conducted a national survey on flood risk awareness that found consumers significantly underestimate their risk level of flooding, leading many to forego flood insurance.
Hurricanes and Children
Judith Becker Bryant (Department of Psychology) can comment on how to prepare children for traumatic events, such as hurricanes, and the impact that such events have on children. She is a national expert on developmental psychology, with a specific emphasis on language and social development in young children.
Hurricanes and the Elderly
Kathryn Hyer (School of Aging Studies, Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging, Director) is a professor and conducts research on the impact of evacuations, electrical outages and other service disruptions on elders, especially in long-term care settings (nursing homes, assisted living facilities). She has written and published extensively about vulnerable elders and the structure of emergency response systems.
Lindsay Peterson (School of Aging Studies) is an assistant professor and conducts research on the impact of hurricanes and other disasters on older adults in nursing homes, assisted living communities, and in the community overall, including disaster preparation and response for those with dementia. She has written a number of articles about disaster preparedness in long-term care, including preparedness for hurricanes and pandemics.
Kathy Black (College of Behavioral and Community Sciences) is a professor who studies gerontology, elder care and end-of-life issues.
Community Preparedness and Recovery
Robin Ersing (School of Public Affairs) is an associate professor who studies community-based disaster preparedness to promote resilience in post-storm recovery. Ersing has been involved in international research in Ghana and Indonesia to study the experience of women exposed to natural hazards.
Elizabeth Dunn (College of Public Health) specializes in community resiliencies, and disaster mitigation, preparedness, and response for vulnerable populations. Her work experience includes community education and outreach, mass care (i.e., sheltering, feeding, health), logistics, and planning for disasters at the local level. She can discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting emergency management and preparedness as it pertains to hurricane evacuation shelters, procurement of PPE, and impacts on the agricultural sector.
Economics/Tourism and Hospitality
Michael Snipes (Muma College of Business) is an instructor of economics who studies the economic impact of tourism. Other areas of study include family dynamics and the link between macro-economic fluctuations and suicide.
Dr. Cihan Cobanoglu (Muma College of Business) is a professor, McKibbon Endowed Chair and director of the M3 Center for Hospitality Technology and Innovation. He focuses on hospitality trends and technologies, including those impacting tourism.
Social Media and Storms
Kelli Burns (Zimmerman School of Advertising and Mass Communications) is an expert on social media. She can discuss the growing role Facebook, Twitter, and other forms of social media plays in natural disasters. She has studied extensively how social media is integrated into our lives and changes patterns of communication.