Clarkson SARS-CoV-2 Webinar Series: Virus Transmission Via Speech

Presenter: Byron Erath, PhD

Dr. Byron Erath, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering at Clarkson University, focuses his research on the laryngeal aerodynamics of voiced speech. Voiced speech is produced by complex fluid-structure-acoustic interactions within the larynx. Dr. Erath’s work is focused on both experimental investigations and computational modeling of the speech process. In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, there has been a lot of discussion around how transmission may occur via speech and breathing.
This talk will address this topic, focusing on how the transient nature of speech production gives rise to unique fluid mechanics that are effective at transporting expirated droplets over long distances. Particular emphasis will be placed on discussing how specific vocal utterances, such as those arising during production of unvoiced consonants, are effective pathogen transport vectors. 

Webinar will start promptly at 3 p.m.  Feel free to join Zoom link at 2:45 p.m.

Questions? Please contact Clarkson Ignite at ignite@clarkson.edu