Purdue expertise sought out to provide context, understanding in wake of Japan crisis
As implications from the Japan earthquake continue to unfold, Purdue University faculty and staff are working with national and international media to enhance the public's understanding of the tragic events.
In reporting the developments, media such as ABC News, FOX News, CNBC and USA Today, have sought Purdue's expertise in various areas, including concerns about nuclear power and radiation, economic impacts, and social concerns as Japan faces the prospect of rebuilding.
Jere Jenkins, director of Purdue's Radiation Laboratories, is in New York serving as an on- and off-air science consultant for ABC News.
Political science professor Daniel Aldrich, who is researching Japan's nuclear industry, and Ahmed Hassanein in nuclear engineering have provided expertise in their fields.
Eric Calais, in earth and atmospheric sciences, who is in Haiti on a government project after its January 2010 earthquake, provided thoughts on the quake and resulting tsunami; and history professor Randy Roberts spoke on the social implications of people resorting to humor in the face of a crisis.
FOX News spent Thursday on campus working with various experts, including Jim Schweitzer, director of Radiological and Environmental Management; nuclear engineering professor Nader Satvat; and Aldrich, who was speaking on Japan's ability to recover from disaster.
Here is a sample of some of the media stories in which Purdue experts have been involved this week:
Hardball with Chris Matthews
Interview with Jere Jenkins
Link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/ - 42117785
Forbes
What's next for Japan: The short and long term
This story analyzing the human and economic effects in Japan features professor George Horwich's "definitive" study of the 1995 Kobe earthquake.
Link: http://blogs.forbes.com/bruceupbin/2011/03/15/whats-next-for-japan-the-short-and-long-term/
ABC News
Powerful tsunami inevitably followed Japan earthquake
Professor Eric Calais says the 8.9-magnitude earthquake met three conditions to create a devastating tsunami.
Link: http://abcnews.go.com/International/powerful-tsumani-inevitably-japan-earthquake/story?id=13115805
ABC News
Japan's nuclear crisis: United States safe from radiation, say engineers
Jere Jenkins serves as a main national source on how nuclear reactors work and helps bring understanding to radiation sickness.
Link: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/japan-nuclear-plant-radiation-united-states-risk-engineers/story?id=13150089
USA Today
Joke's on those who joke about Japan
History professor Randy Roberts provides expertise on the social implications of tasteless jokes in a tragic situation.
Link: http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2011-03-16-sickjokes16_ST_N.htm
Bloomberg BusinessWeek
Stricken Japan reactor just passed probe for next decade
Political science professor Daniel Aldrich, who is researching Japan's nuclear industry, provides expertise.
Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-03-14/stricken-japan-reactor-just-passed-probe-for-next-decade.html
WISH-TV (Indianapolis)
Professor: U.S. nuclear plants are safe
Ahmed Hassanein, head of Purdue's nuclear engineering department, provides expertise on the safety of U.S. nuclear power plants.
Link: http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/indiana/professor-us-nuclear-plants-are-safe