On Wednesday, January 13, 2021, seven scientists from across the nation joined us as part of the ongoing COVID-19 Research Webinar series organized through the COVID Information Commons. During the event, each researcher shared their work, providing new insights regarding the global pandemic and revealed some of the unexpected implications brought on by the novel coronavirus. The speakers, although varied in focus, were able to both challenge the ways we understand the pandemic as well as inspire new perspectives on how we could better respond to arising obstacles. This month’s event featured speakers David Mendonça of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Mauricio Terrones of Penn State, Tracy Van Holt of New York University, Michel Boufadel of the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Jamie Hestekin of the University of Arkansas, Wai-Yim Ching of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and Rabindra Tirouvanziam of Emory University. Videos of each of their talks highlighting insights gained from their NSF-funded research are available via the above links.
From this event, we are again reminded that our understanding of COVID-19 is constantly evolving as more research is conducted across disciplines. We depend on this research to help us become more informed and also more effective in combating the global pandemic. It is through a collective effort that we can impact change, and with this belief, we are excited to launch the COVID Information Commons Student Paper Challenge. The challenge invites undergraduate students from across the world to leverage their curiosity and creative problem solving skills by conducting research on how COVID is impacting different communities. More information, including program details, resources, and key deadlines can be found on the COVID Information Commons Student Paper Challenge Page.
A recording of the January 13 event is available at the Northeast Big Data Hub’s YouTube channel as well as at covidinfocommons.net. The COVID Information Commons is an NSF-funded project brought to you by the Big Data Innovation Hubs, led by the Northeast Big Data Innovation Hub at Columbia University.
Our next COVID-19 Research Webinar, featuring research on new handheld gas sensors for airborne virus, policy-responses in times of crisis, disinfection and reuse of health-care worker Facial Masks, and more will take place on Wednesday, February 10th from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET. Register for the February webinar, sign up for the CIC mailing list, and join the CIC Slack channel for updates on future events and opportunities to engage with the COVID Information Commons community.