Articles by author: Brock University

  • Brock mosquito expert Fiona Hunter to meet with media Friday

    MEDIA ADVISORY: R00232 – 28 October 2016

    Live and dial-in press conference will be held at 1:15 p.m. to address the discovery of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes for the first time in Canada

    On Friday morning, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit announced the discovery of the “yellow fever mosquito,” Aedes aegypti, in Windsor. This species is thought to be responsible for the majority of human cases of Zika virus infection worldwide.

    The discovery was made during enhanced surveillance for Aedes albopictus, another invasive species discovered earlier this summer in Windsor-Essex. The team involved in the discovery of Aedes aegpyti included scientists from Public Health Ontario, Entomogen Inc., and Brock University. The discovery of Aedes aegypti is believed to be the first time the species has been found in Canada.

    Bryan Giordano, PhD candidate in the Centre for Biotechnology at Brock, tested the mosquitoes for Zika virus in Brock University’s CL3 laboratory; all three Aedes aegypti mosquitoes tested negative for Zika.

    Brock University will host a press conference Friday, Oct. 28 at 1:15 p.m. with Hunter, Giordano and Alessio Gasparotto, Manager, Entomogen Inc., the company that identifies mosquitoes for the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit’s mosquito surveillance program.

    This will be the team’s only media availability in relation to the Aedes aegypti discovery.

    Hunter and the team can speak to:
    •    The significance of finding these species in Windsor and the ongoing collection efforts for them in Niagara. Windsor and Niagara are the likely points of entry due to their geography.

    •    The fact that although these locations have summer climates conducive to permitting these species to reproduce, cold winter temperatures most certainly will kill off Aedes aegypti and probably Aedes albopictus.

    •    How the team will use gene sequencing to determine the source of these specimens – either from the southern U.S., the north-eastern U.S. or from an overseas country.

    •    The international efforts to control Aedes aegypti, a species of international concern because it can vector yellow fever, dengue, West Nile, chikungunya and Zika.

    On display for photography purposes will be the types of traps used to collect Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti and pinned specimens of both species (from Brock’s research colonies).

    Brock University Media Conference
    When: 1:15 p.m.
    Where: Room 207, Cairns Family Health and Bioscience Research Complex, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way.
    Phone Access: Call 647-426-3117 and use conference code 643316
    Who: Fiona Hunter, Professor of Medical Entomology, Department of Biological Sciences at Brock University; Bryan Giordano, PhD candidate, Centre for Biotechnology; Alessio Gasparotto, Manager, Entomogen Inc.

    Parking will be available in Reserve Lot A.

    For more information:

    * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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    Categories: Media releases

  • Brock University experts available for comment on U.S. presidential election

    EXPERT ADVISORY: R00233 – 31 October 2016

    A presidential candidate accused of sexually assaulting more than a dozen women over the years. Another embroiled in an email scandal with national security implications. Debates heavy on character assassination.

    This has been a U.S. presidential election race like no other.

    With election night around the corner, Brock University has six experts available to comment on political, social and psychological aspects of the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

    Stefan Dolgert, professor in the Department of Political Science, can speak to:
    •    The role of voter “resentment” in supporting or tolerating racist or sexist positions
    •    Shortcomings of the Republican Party national committee that led to Trump being the major candidate
    •    How awareness of “rape culture” has evolved and sparked discussion on Trump’s self-proclaimed past sexual behaviour with women

    Paul Hamilton, professor in the Department of Political Science, can speak to:
    •    Challenges after the election results; particularly if Clinton wins, reconciliation with a section of the white working class who are disenfranchised
    •    The future of the Republican Party
    •    The other elections happening that day for the Senate, House and state governments and the implications of those results

    Angela Book, associate professor in the Department of Psychology, and Tony Volk, associate professor in the Department of Child and Youth Studies, have authored a study currently under review where they examined the personality traits of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton using a psychological measurement tool called the Hexaco Personality Inventory.
     
    Book and Volk can speak to:
    •    How Trump and Clinton scored on the Hexaco Inventory
    •    The concept of “dark personalities” and how the two candidates rate
    •    How and when traits such as narcissism, psychopathy and other personality disorders have appeared during the campaign
    •    The psychological appeal that the candidates have on the electorate

    Tami Friedman, associate professor in the Department of History, can speak to:
    •    Differences and similarities in the current U.S. presidential election compared to past elections
    •    Parallels between Donald Trump and previous presidential candidates
    •    How Hillary Clinton’s former role of First Lady affects the way she’s perceived today
    •    Appearances of sexism and racism in this election compared to past years

    Murray Knuttila has just released his book, Paying for Masculinity, in which he explores male dominance and its impact on society, media and culture.

    Knuttila, professor in the Department of Sociology, can speak to:
    •    Specific examples of dominance Trump displays during the campaign and in the past
    •    How Trump uses media to get his message across
    •    The impact that Trump’s comments about women have on women and girls and how society perceives gender rights
    •    Trump’s interactions with Hillary Clinton and how what he says and does affects her campaign

    To arrange interviews, send requested date and time to:

    * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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    Categories: Media releases