Nearly 100 people were killed in Maui’s wildfires, with many experts saying the death toll will climb even higher, according to CNN. Thousands of people have lost their homes, hospitals are still treating burn victims and search and rescue teams are still combing through the burn zone.
Faculty experts at the George Washington University are available to offer insight, analysis and commentary on a number of related topics concerning the devastating wildfires in Hawaii, including the rising death toll, the impact of climate change, the public health concerns associated with wildfires and the humanitarian crisis. If you would like to schedule an interview with an expert, please contact GW Media Relations at [email protected].
Carlos Santos-Burgoa, a professor of global health and lead author of the GW report on the death toll in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria can discuss the mounting death toll and disaster preparedness in Hawaii and other coastal communities at risk of wildfires and extreme weather due to climate change.
Elizabeth Andrade, assistant professor of prevention and community health, was on the team to assess risk after Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico. She can talk about how infrastructure damage in Hawaii can lead to a rising death toll.
Jonathan Deason is the Director of GW’s Environmental and Energy Management Institute and a professor in the GW School of Engineering and Applied Science. His expertise includes all aspects of air quality management, including greenhouse gas management and implications for global climate change mitigation and adaptation. He can also address extreme drought conditions as well as the connection between climate change and wildfires that are happening in so many parts of the world.
Daniele Podini, an associate professor of forensic molecular biology and biological sciences, is a forensic DNA expert. His forensic experience ranges from processing crime scenes for biological specimens to processing evidence in the laboratory, and from DNA profiling to testifying in court as an expert witness. Podini can explain the process of identifying fire victims and the complexities inherent in the process.
Neelu Tummala is a clinical assistant professor of surgery and is Co-Director of the Climate & Health Institute with a special interest in the effects of climate change on population health. She can address the public health impacts of climate change and how wildfire smoke affects individuals.
Ramin Asgary is a professor of Global Health and Director of Humanitarian Health at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health. His expertise focuses on refugee health and humanitarian assistance. He can discuss the humanitarian crisis the wildfire has caused in Hawaii.
James P. Phillips is an associate professor of Emergency Medicine and Chief of Disaster and Operational Medicine at GW School of Medicine & Health Sciences. He can discuss treating mass casualties in disaster areas.