---
title: UMD Experts Help Understand Natural Disasters and Climate Change
date: 2024-10-10T00:00:00-04:00
author: Hafsa Siddiqi
canonical_url: "https://umdrightnow.umd.edu/news-releases/umd-experts-help-understand-natural-disasters-and-climate-change"
section: News Releases
---
News Releases

#  UMD Experts Help Understand Natural Disasters and Climate Change 

       ![Rising sea levels are causing more flooding and threatening a sanitary crisis driven by failure of the septic tank systems used by tens of thousands of Marylanders living in coastal areas or near tidally influenced water bodies.](https://omc-system.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/umdrn/SepticTank_MT.jpeg?w=1920&h=1080&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1770151391&s=919b1505e03cc4fa29adb6658dab9a5c) 

  Photo by iStock     October 10, 2024

##  Contacts 

 Media Relations: <mediainfo@umd.edu>

 

  **COLLEGE PARK, Md -** In the wake of two of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history, University of Maryland experts are shedding light on the various ways natural disasters impact every angle of our lives, particularly in an election year. From dis/misinformation and flood water detection technology to infrastructure and disaster resiliency, **the following UMD faculty experts are available to discuss their work and expertise with the media:

- **Detecting disinformation, especially during social unrest and disasters** - [Cody Buntain](https://ischool.umd.edu/directory/cody-buntain/), College of Information
- **Flood detection and impact, air quality, changes in weather and atmosphere due to climate change** - [Timothy Canty](https://aosc.umd.edu/people/timothy-canty), College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences
- **Infrastructure, disaster resiliency and reduction** - A. James Clark School of Engineering
    
    
    - [Allison Reilly ](https://eng.umd.edu/clark/faculty/289/Allison-Reilly)(Department of Civil &amp; Environmental Engineering)
    - [Deb Niemeier](https://eng.umd.edu/clark/faculty/1215/Deb-Niemeier) (Department of Civil &amp; Environmental Engineering) )
    - [Michelle Bensi](https://eng.umd.edu/clark/faculty/802/Michelle-Shelby-Bensi) (Department of Civil &amp; Environmental Engineering)
    - [Bilal Ayyub](https://eng.umd.edu/clark/faculty/243/Bilal-M-Ayyub) (Department of Civil &amp; Environmental Engineering)
    - [Michael Otte](https://eng.umd.edu/clark/faculty/796/Michael-Otte) (Department of Aerospace Engineering)

Please contact <mediainfo@umd.edu> for more information or help setting up an interview.

 

 

 ##  About the University of Maryland 

The University of Maryland (UMD) is the state's flagship university driven by a community of more than 50,000 fearless Terrapins. As a leading research university and top 20 public institution, UMD is proud to be part of the Association of American Universities. Dedicated to excellence and impact for the public good, the university is propelled by a $1.4 billion joint research enterprise. UMD is the nation’s first Do Good campus, and is consistently ranked for its innovation, research and top-tier academic programs. Located in the National Capital Region, the university offers an unparalleled student experience with federal internship opportunities, hundreds of academic programs and study abroad options, and top-ranked living-learning programs. Spurred by a culture of innovation and creativity, UMD’s faculty are global leaders in their fields and include Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners and members of the national academies. For more information about the University of Maryland, College Park, visit [umd.edu](http://umd.edu/)

 

 

  Topics

 [ Climate Change ](/news-releases?topic[]=climate-change) [ Election ](/news-releases?topic[]=election)