Hi everyone,

Sharing this Colloquium from the department of Chemistry.

Friday, 15 January 2021 at 10:00 AM

Speaker: Linsey Marr, Virginia Tech
Title: Transmission of Viruses in Droplets and Aerosols

Please see the below for the zoom link.

Thank you.

Natalie

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From: envchem-l: Environmental chemistry students and faculty <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Jonathan Abbatt <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2021 8:57 AM
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: departmental colloquium this Friday at 10 am

Hi everyone,

A reminder that our second departmental colloquium is this coming Friday at 10 am.

Jon

Friday, 15 January 2021 at 10:00 AM

Department of Chemistry: Colloquia

Speaker: Linsey Marr, Virginia Tech

Title: Transmission of Viruses in Droplets and Aerosols

Location: via Zoom

Abstract: There is overwhelming evidence that inhalation of SARS-CoV-2 represents a major transmission route of COVID-19. This exposure pathway is especially important at short-range in close contact situations and also at longer range indoors. Still, crucial questions remain unanswered for COVID-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases such as influenza, namely "how important is airborne transmission relative to other routes?" and "why are some viruses seasonal?" An interdisciplinary approach that fuses environmental engineering, aerosol science, and virology is needed to make progress on these questions. We know that viruses are released from infected hosts in respiratory droplets spanning a wide range of sizes. Physically, virus-laden droplets are subject to the same removal mechanisms as are airborne particles. Additionally, evaporation-induced changes in droplets' chemical composition, such as altered pH, increased salt and protein concentrations, crystallization, or phase separation, could lead to inactivation of the virus. Understanding the fundamental science underlying airborne transmission is essential for improving the forecasting of disease dynamics, developing infection control strategies, and predicting the pandemic potential of emerging virus strains.

This seminar will be hosted by Prof. Jonathan Abbatt.

Zoom link: https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/83225830875 Meeting ID: 832 2583 0875 Passcode: 679312

All are encouraged to attend!

For additional information, contact:
E-mail: chem.reception@utoronto.ca