Modelling the spread of infectious disease
Dr Joel Miller
La Trobe University applied mathematics lecturer, international expert on the modelling of infectious disease spread.
Topic: Predicting the spread of an infectious disease – including the impact of surveillance, social distancing and other interventions.
Has asked for interview requests via email: joel.miller@latrobe.edu.au
Public health aspects of infectious disease
Associate Professor Hassan Vally
La Trobe University public health expert, epidemiologist experienced in analysing health data, infectious and chronic disease epidemiology.
Topic: Steps people can take to protect themselves from infection when travelling, at home or at work; self-isolation; the importance of clear public health messages.
Has asked for interview requests via email: h.vally@latrobe.edu.au
Employment pressures
Dr Darren O’Donovan
La Trobe University Senior Lecturer in Administrative Law
Topic: The impacts of COVID-19 on Centrelink and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Contact details: d.odonovan@latrobe.edu.au, 0410 090 556
Human behaviour and threat response
Dr Mathew Marques
La Trobe University psychology lecturer, social psychology expert interested in uncertainty and threat response related to basic human motivations.
Topic: Why people have responded to coronavirus by stockpiling, insisting on testing etc; what drives panic or threat response and other human reactions to the virus; conspiracy theories around COVID-19.
Contact details: m.marques@latrobe.edu.au, (03) 9479 2024
Dr Matthew Ruby
La Trobe University psychology lecturer, interested in social psychology, emotional and physical wellbeing.
Topic: Adapting to new norms; how behaviour is shaped by others especially in uncertain situations; the importance of consistent messaging.
Contact details: m.ruby@latrobe.edu.au, (02) 6024 9605
Positivity, resilience and wellbeing
Ms Ros Ben-Moshe
La Trobe University health promotion academic, laughter expert, author of “Laughing at cancer – How to Heal with Love, Laughter and Mindfulness”.
Topic: Despite our collective adversity, how can we embrace a positive mindset to support resilience and wellbeing during the Coronavirus pandemic?
Contact details: r.ben-moshe@latrobe.edu.au, 0413 592 030
Self-isolating
Associate Professor Jodi Oakman
La Trobe University public health and ergonomics expert, with an interest in the impact of work and organisations on employees' health.
Topic: Challenges and considerations with working from home, including time management, work space set-up/ergonomics, and lack of social interaction and exercise.
Contact details: j.oakman@latrobe.edu.au, 0447 152 944
Tourism
Mr Paul Strickland
La Trobe University lecturer in tourism, hospitality and event management
Topic: How COVID-19 is affecting Australia’s tourism and hospitality industries; the ‘silver lining’ for regional communities; impact of large event cancellations.
Contact details: p.strickland@latrobe.edu.au, 0408 834 727
PHOTO: Wikicommons (NIAID-RML) - This transmission electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2—also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19—isolated from a patient in the U.S. Virus particles are shown emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. The spikes on the outer edge of the virus particles give coronaviruses their name, crown-like.
Read COVID-19 opinions and expertise from La Trobe academics here
