Package Description

This webinar will cover the fundamentals of airborne transmission of infectious diseases through droplet and aerosol formation from infected individuals. Data on the specific aerosol properties of SARS-CoV-2 and evidence of the presence of the virus in the air will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

After completing this course, learners should be able to:

• provide an overview of the specific physical and biological properties of infectious aerosols and droplets generated through respiratory functions
• establish the evidence for respiratory transmission of COVID-19

Price:

• Members: $15
• Non-members: $30

CE Information:

CE Credits: 1.00

Click here to view detailed CE information about this course.

Speakers:

Shanna Ratnesar-Shumate, PhD

Dr. Ratnesar-Shumate is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology and Microbiology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and is a Fellow of the National Strategic Research Institute for the United States Department of Defense. Shanna has expertise on a range of topics including development and assessment of bioaerosol sensors for early warning and detection; development of field portable and autonomous bioaerosol sampling devices for collection of infectious pathogens in clinical and outdoor settings; fate, persistence, transport, and dispersion of infectious aerosols in the environment; risk assessment of biological agents; and evaluation of personal protective equipment for prevention of infection. Recently, she has published several papers on the characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 in aerosols and droplets on surfaces. She received her BS and ME in Environmental Engineering Sciences at the University of Florida and a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering Sciences at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Disclosures: No relevant financial relationships to disclose

Joshua L. Santarpia, PhD

Dr. Santarpia is the Research Director for Counter WMD programs at the National Strategic Research Institute, Associate Professor of Microbiology and Pathology, and Program Director for Biodefense and Health Security Degree Program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Santarpia is trained in aerosol physics, atmospheric chemistry, and microbiology. His peer-reviewed research focuses largely on the fate of biological aerosols in the atmosphere, detection of biological aerosols and atmospheric chemistry of biological and anthropogenic particles. He has worked extensively to understand optical and other signatures that can be used to detect and identify biological aerosol and studied how those signatures change over time. He has developed novel methods to study bioaerosol hazard in medical environments, and studies for private companies to determine potential aerosol hazards of medical devices in operating rooms. Most recently, he has applied these methods to characterize SARS-CoV-2 aerosol in the patient environment and characterize aerosol risk in public spaces.

Disclosures: No relevant financial relationships to disclose