In This Together Cambria is hosting another virtual COVID Questions forum featuring Dr. Jill Henning and Dr. Matthew Tracey of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, sharing the latest updates on vaccine boosters, the latest COVID-19 surge, the variants Delta and Mu, cases in children, and masking in schools. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions.
The virtual town hall will be held Thurs., Sept. 16 at 7:00 pm over Zoom, and the moderator is Chip Minemyer, editor of The Tribune-Democrat. Participants can take part at https://pitt.zoom.us/j/96156145654 . The presentation will also be livestreamed over In This Together Cambria’s Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/inthistogethercambria, and will eventually be made available on the organization’s website at www.inthistogethercambria.com.
Matthew Tracey, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown, where he teaches General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry labs, and Medicinal Chemistry. He earned his B.Sc. in Chemistry from Fordham University and his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh, with a focus on Organic Chemistry. He has a passion for chemical education, including the establishment of “Science Saturdays with Dr. Matt” with the Johnstown Area Heritage Association and involvement with the National Chemistry Week programs offered through the American Chemical Society. His current research interests include synthesis of bioactive molecules, new organic chemistry lab experiments, and new pedagogical methods to engage his students.
Jill D. Henning, PhD is an Associate Professor of Biology at the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown Campus. She has a broad background in immunology, infectious diseases, and cancer biology. In general, her research examines how infectious disease affect humans and animals—a concept referred to as “One Health.” She has divided her research into two specific categories: viral influences on immune function associated with cancer and zoonotic infectious diseases and their vectors. She completed her Ph.D. in Infectious Diseases Microbiology from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public Health in 2008. She was a post-doctoral fellow in biobehavioral medicine for a year and joined the faculty here at Pitt-Johnstown in 2009.
In This Together Cambria is a volunteer group engaged in advocacy, storytelling, and sharing of information to combat the pandemic. The group has presented many virtual forums on COVID in partnership with The Tribune-Democrat and the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown, and a virtual Words of Comfort worship service. The Lights of Remembrance was a luminary tribute to the Cambria County victims of the pandemic. Recordings of these forums, COVID resources, and much more can be found at www.inthistogethercambria.com.