November Sources of the Month

11/02/2015

UMass Lowell faculty experts are world-class researchers who lend authority to news and feature stories in an engaging and relatable way. Experts in fields from science and engineering, business and education to the social sciences are available in person, by phone or e-mail as sources for print, radio and TV journalists. TV options include live broadcast interviews in person or via satellite.

This month’s hot topics and sources are:

Veterans Day – Chad Montrie, an expert on World War II and Vietnam. Montrie can talk about the political climate that led to the conflicts, how the experiences of military personnel on the battlefield and civilians at home shaped popular culture and the impact the wars continue to have on American life. Montrie teaches history and American Studies in UMass Lowell’s College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Thanksgiving and your diet – Katherine Tucker, a nationally recognized expert on how what we eat affects our risk for heart disease and other serious conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis and cognitive decline. Tucker can discuss those topics, as well as how to eat right during the holidays, calorie-counting and the potential benefits of organic and locally grown foods. The director of UMass Lowell’s Center for Population Health and Health Disparities, she teaches nutrition in the College of Health Sciences. Beyond campus, she contributes her expertise to the development of the Institute of Medicine’s dietary recommendations, which are used nationwide in the food-production industry and health care.

Holiday retail outlook – Ying Huang, an authority on retail strategy and international marketing. Huang can discuss the holiday retail outlook, retailers’ rewards programs and other customer incentives designed to drive sales on Black Friday, Cyber Monday and throughout the season of shopping. Before beginning her career in higher education, she advised the National Retail Federation and American companies entering the market in China, among other experience. She teaches marketing in the Manning School of Business.

Safe toys and gifts – Joel Tickner, an expert on how chemicals in household items can adversely affect adults and children. Tickner can discuss the hazards that can be found in games, toys and other products. He can also talk about the work of Green Chemistry and Commerce Council, a group he founded that is a national network of major retailers and brands dedicated to promoting safer products. His work has led the government to identify, develop and adopt environmentally friendly alternatives for use in items people come in contact with in everyday life. He teaches community health and sustainability in the College of Health Sciences and is a researcher in the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production.

For a complete list of UMass Lowell experts, see www.uml.edu/experts. The university’s media relations team is ready to help connect you. Contact Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu.