University of Arizona in the News

University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins discusses the university's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in PBS NewsHour's "Rethinking College" series.

Saskia Popescu, an infectious disease epidemiologist at the University of Arizona, is one of three authors of the color-coded COVID-19 Risk Index.

According to George Hammond, the CARES Act significantly cushioned Arizona from the full effect of the downturn. It seems likely, then, that Arizona's plight will worsen if Congress fails to extend additional unemployment insurance benefits before they expire this month.

Dr. Murtaza Akhter, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix and an emergency room physician, discusses why a coronavirus vaccine may not be a silver bullet against the disease and people should not dismiss the importance of wearing a mask.

"Climate science is respected so much more by governments in other countries – not all, of course. It does not mean these countries do more to act on climate change, or have the same solutions, but they do not dispute the science," said Diana Liverman, director of the School of Geography, Development and Environment at the University of Arizona.

Total taxable sales fell by about 6 percent in March and more than 16 percent in April, compared with the same periods a year earlier, according to data compiled by the University of Arizona, depriving businesses of much-needed income.

Water flow is at an all-time low at Quitobaquito Springs, a culturally vital oasis home to two endangered species next to the U.S.-Mexico border. Some speculate that vibrations from heavy machinery and trench-digging near the pond may have cracked the clay liner. That's certainly plausible, but it's impossible to know for sure, said Michael Bogan, an aquatic ecologist at University of Arizona who has been studying wildlife at the springs since 2016.

 If companies decide to pay more to shareholders, stock repurchases are the most attractive way to do it, says Alice Bonaime, a finance professor at the University of Arizona's Eller College of Management not involved in this study.

Labs have started to reopen at the University of Arizona, even while COVID-19 cases surge in the state. A little more than half of all active research activity has resumed, according to Betsy Cantwell, senior vice president for research and innovation.

Patrick Robles, a 19-year-old student at the University of Arizona, said his whole family was boycotting Goya products even though the company's chickpeas had always been perfect for cocido, or Mexican stew.