The following experts from our college are available to offer commentary about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and its effects.
Safety and supply of food and water
Daniel Sumner, the Frank H. Buck Jr. Distinguished Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics, is the director of the University of California Agricultural Issues Center. He can address food supply-chain issues related to the coronavirus effects. His research focuses on the consequences of farm and trade policy on agriculture and the economy. His work on agriculture and trade relates to NAFTA, the European Union and China. Prior to beginning his current position in January 1993, Sumner was the assistant secretary for economics at the United States Department of Agriculture. Contact: dasumner@ucdavis.edu
Erin DiCaprio is an assistant Cooperative Extension specialist of food safety in the Department of Food Science and Technology. She can speak about coronavirus and food safety issues. She has expertise in microbial food safety, on-farm food safety related to produce production, food safety of processed foods, and food regulations. She is the regional lead for the Western Regional Center to Enhance Food Safety. She also co-hosts the UC Food Safety website, which contains food safety information for consumers, growers, and food processors. Contact: eldicaprio@ucdavis.edu
Linda Harris is a Cooperative Extension specialist of food safety and chair of the Department of Food Science and Technology. She can address the coronavirus and food safety issues. Her research focuses on microbial food safety, especially the microbiology of fresh fruits and vegetables and tree nuts. She also co-hosts the UC Food Safety website, which contains food safety information for consumers, growers, and food processors. Contact: ljharris@ucdavis.edu
Thomas Harter, a professor and UC Cooperative Extension groundwater hydrologist can discuss the risk for COVID-19 transmission in domestic well water. He works with the agricultural industry, government agencies, and NGOs to manage groundwater resources. Learn more. Contact: thharter@ucdavis.edu
Economy, energy and community development
Catherine Brinkley is an assistant professor of Community and Regional Development in the Department of Human Ecology. Her research centers around One Health, a concept that considers health shared among humans, animals and the environment. She is a city planner who conducts spatial analyses to inform practice. Brinkley focuses on economic issues and urban planning. Contact: ckbrinkley@ucdavis.edu
Keith Taylor is an extension professor at the University of California’s Cooperative Extension and UC Davis’ Department of Community and Regional Development and teaches in the Department of Human Ecology. Taylor is a recognized leader in utility cooperative governance and has worked widely with energy utilities nationally. Taylor focuses on rural economic issues. Contact: keitaylor@ucdavis.edu
Leigh Ann Simmons, chair of the Department of Human Ecology, is an expert in maternal-child health, behavior change interventions, health equity, social welfare and family policy. She can address equity in health care delivery and chronic disease prevention in rural areas as well as food supply issues. Contact: lasimm@ucdavis.edu
Richard Sexton is a distinguished professor in Agricultural and Resource Economics. Sexton researches agricultural marketing and trade, economics of cooperatives, and industrial organization. He analyzes agricultural markets, particularly Californian fruit, vegetable, and nut industries. Contact: rich@primal.ucdavis.edu
Mark Agerton, assistant professor in the Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics, is available to discuss his research on U.S. oil and gas supply issues. Contact: mjagerton@ucdavis.edu