During these uncertain times, people across the world are facing numerous challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown no border and is affecting us all in every sector of life.

From 10-11 a.m. Friday, May 15, join four experts in the fields of public health, medicine, economics and history as they discuss the ramifications of COVID-19 across disciplines. This session will focus on the cultural, medical and economic considerations of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the public health response.

"I hope you will be able to join us at this important webinar of the Ozmen Institute for Global Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno," Berch Berberoglu, director of the Ozmen Institute for Global Studies, said. 

About the Speakers:  

Hugh Shapiro, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History

Hugh Shapiro is associate professor of East Asian history at the University.  Shapiro has enjoyed visiting appointments at Princeton University, at universities in China, Japan and Taiwan, and at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. His archival and fieldwork in East Asia regards the history of medicine, disease and the body in a comparative context. His recent work appears in volumes published by Harvard University Press, Brill, Rowman & Littlefield and Kluwer. Shapiro’s other research and teaching interests include Sino-Russian-Central Asian relations and the history of decolonization, revolution and authoritarianism. As a Smithsonian Journeys Expert, he has lectured in 20 countries in Eurasia. He received the Li-Qing Prize for the History of Chinese Science and won his university’s highest teaching award. Shapiro earned his B.A. from Stanford University and his Ph.D. from Harvard University. He is an Affiliated Faculty of the Ozmen Institute for Global Studies.

Trudy Larson, M.D., Dean, School of Community Health Sciences

Trudy Larson, M.D., is the dean of the School of Community Health Sciences at the University. She was appointed following an impressive 27-year career at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine where she served as a professor, former chair of the Department of Pediatrics and also served as an associate dean. As a pediatric infectious disease specialist, she has spent her career focusing on HIV/AIDS and immunizations and has contributed to both fields in research, education and service. She is one of the founders and is the former medical director of the HOPES clinic providing medical services to those with HIV/AIDS. In her capacity as co-Medical Director for the AIDS Education and Training Center at the University, member of the Northern Nevada Immunization Coalition and medical consultant to the Washoe County District Health Department, she has taken the lead in speaking to professional audiences and the general public on topics such as AIDS, vaccination, disease outbreaks, bioterrorism, sex education, just to name a few. 

Mehmet Tosun, Ph.D., Professor of Economics, Barbara Smith Campbell Distinguished Professor of Nevada Tax Policy, Director of International Programs, College of Business

Mehmet Tosun is the Barbara Smith Campbell Distinguished Professor at the University. He is also a professor of economics and the director of international programs in the College of Business. He is a research fellow at the Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), an affiliate research fellow at the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing, a research fellow at the Economic Research Forum (ERF) for Arab Countries, Iran and Turkey and a fellow at the Global Labor Organization (GLO). He is an Associate Editor of Socio-Economic Planning Sciences. He is on the journal editorial board of Migration Letters and the journal program committee of Przeglad Organizacji (Organization Review) in Poland. He also serves on the board of the Reno Philharmonic Association and the Ozmen Institute for Global Studies at the University. 

Cheryl Hug-English, M.D., Director, Student Health Center 

Cheryl Hug-English, M.D., MPH, is the medical director of the Student Health Center at the University. She formerly served as associate dean of admissions and student affairs and interim dean of the University of Nevada School of Medicine. An alumnus of the University and a 1982 graduate of the University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine, she also obtained a master’s degree in public health and epidemiology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She currently sits on the board of directors for the American College Health Association and is a member of the national ACHA COVID-19 task force which recently released guidelines for the reopening of college campuses in the COVID-19 era.