New York Times Journalist Tells Story of Deadly Flu Pandemic at PVM’s Ideas Festival Event

Gina speaks into a microphone joined by fellow panelists seated behind a table
Author and New York Times journalist Gina Kolata (center) responds to a question during a panel discussion in Lynn Hall that also featured (left-right) School of Nursing professor emeritus Pamela Aaltonen; Suresh Mittal, PVM distinguished professor of virology; Ekramy Sayedahmed, post-doctoral research associate in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology; and professor and head of the Brian Lamb School of Communication Marifran Mattson.

Gina Kolata, author of “Flu: The Story of the Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918,” recounted key details of the 1918 flu pandemic during her talk addressing the topic, “What IF the Next Pandemic is Inevitable?” on September 23 in Loeb Playhouse.  Characterizing her book as a medical detective story, Kolata shared how the deadly 1918 flu strain affected young, healthy individuals and spread rapidly across the world.  It is estimated that about 500 million people or one-third of the world’s population became infected with the virus. Her remarks facilitated discussion of how research on the 1918 outbreak offers insights regarding the next potential pandemic.

The event was part of Purdue’s Ideas Festival, the centerpiece of Purdue’s Giant Leaps Sesquicentennial Campaign, which is a series of events that connect world-renowned speakers and Purdue expertise in a conversation on the most critical problems facing the world.

Kolata is a two-time runner-up for the Pulitzer prize for her writing at The New York Times, where she works as a science and medicine reporter.  The author of six books, Kolata is a graduate of the molecular biology program at M.I.T. and received her master’s in applied mathematics from the University of Maryland.

Dean Reed receives a flu shot in his arm while seated on stage
Dean Willie Reed receives his flu shot courtesy of a team of pharmacy students under the guidance of Purdue University Pharmacy Director Nicole Noel, while College of Pharmacy Dean Eric Barker looks on.

Following the talk, as a way of demonstrating first-hand the importance of vaccination in flu prevention, Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Willie Reed; Dean Marion Underwood, of the College of Health and Human Sciences; and College of Pharmacy Dean Eric Barker all rolled up their sleeves and received their annual flu shots on stage.  Also that afternoon, a flu shot clinic was available in the foyer outside of Loeb Playhouse for faculty and staff who wanted to get a flu shot.

The focus then shifted to Lynn Hall for the remainder of the afternoon, as a panel of experts took up discussion of the topic, “The Current and Future Role of Vaccination in Global Health.”  The panel was moderated by Dr. Harm HogenEsch, Purdue Veterinary Medicine associate dean for research and professor of immunopathology.  Joining Kolata on the panel were Pamela M. Aaltonen, professor emeritus from the Purdue School of Nursing; Marifran Mattson, professor and head of Purdue’s Brian Lamb School of Communication; and Suresh Mittal, PVM distinguished professor of virology, and Ekramy Sayedahmed, post-doctoral research associate, both of the PVM Department of Comparative Pathobiology.  Prompted by questions from Dr. HogenEsch and audience members, the panelists engaged in a robust discussion about flu vaccines, pandemic outbreaks, vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccination concerns, as well as communication strategies related to public health.  

A reception in the Lynn Hall Veterinary Medical Library concluded the day’s schedule, providing an opportunity for guests to meet and interact with Kolata and members of the panel.  

The College of Veterinary Medicine is focusing on the Ideas Festival’s theme of “Health, Longevity, and Quality of Life” during the month of September, which is the featured month at Purdue for celebrating PVM’s contributions to 150 Years of Giant Leaps.  The September 23 invited talk by Kolata was co-sponsored by PVM, the College of Health and Human Sciences’ Public Health Program, and the IU School of Medicine-West Lafayette.

Click here to watch a recording of Kolata’s talk.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

Ruby’s Road to Stability: Purdue Veterinary Hospital Provides Collaborative Approach to Complex Care

Today we continue a series of articles about animals and their owners who’ve found help and healing at the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital as we share the story of a dog named Ruby.

PVM Global Engagement Director Receives Outstanding Leadership in Globalization Award

Purdue’s College of Veterinary Medicine is making strides far beyond the state of Indiana, thanks in large part to the tremendous efforts of Addison Sheldon, the college’s director of global engagement. Sheldon is a Purdue graduate who joined the PVM Office of Engagement in April of 2021. His contributions were recognized recently when he was selected, along with three other Purdue staff and faculty members, by the university’s Global Academic Committee to receive the 2025 Outstanding Leadership in Globalization Award.

How do landscape architects design spaces for animals?

With help from the Purdue Veterinary Hospital, a graduating senior in the Purdue College of Agriculture mastered the answer to that question through practical experience. The Purdue University Veterinary Hospital offers specialized medical care to both small and large animals often using outdoor areas like paddocks and dog runs. At first glance, these areas might seem like just a fence and a patch of grass. Over the past semester, Mary Schultz, a senior in horticulture and landscape architecture, has worked with the veterinary hospital to reimagine its outdoor spaces and brainstorm solutions for the landscape’s technical, maintenance and aesthetic issues.