Teen Discussion Panel on the Pandemic

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Illustration of a white tea cup with tea steaming out. Here's the tea is written on the cup

Here's the Tea: Where do we go from here?

April 12, 2021
4 p.m. via Zoom

Youth voices offer unique perspectives, innovative ideas and valuable insights. As West Virginia continues to move through the pandemic, teens want to know more about issues surrounding the public health crisis – now and in the future. Experts will give young people the “tea” (teen slang for “the scoop”) on a host of topics surrounding the pandemic during a special panel discussion on April 12, 2021, at 4 p.m.

This event is hosted by WVU Extension Service 4-H Youth Development Teen Council, in partnership with West Virginia State University and the West Virginia Joint Interagency Task Force on COVID-19 vaccines. Experts will answer questions from teens on a variety of topics, including the science behind COVID testing, vaccinations, future pandemics, economy implications, education and other issues related to the pandemic. The event will be moderated by members of 4-H’s Teen Council and Collegiate 4-H members from WVU and WVU Tech.

This event is free and open to West Virginia youths and young adults ages 12 to 21. Those interested in participating in the panel discussion must register online by noon on April 12.

Panelists

Daniel Eades

Daniel Eades is an associate professor and Extension specialist with West Virginia University, working in the areas of rural economics and rural development. His work helps local leaders and residents identify and engage their community’s unique assets to address a breadth of challenges and opportunities facing the state’s rural communities.

Daniel grew up in Beckley, West Virginia, and received a bachelor's degree in environmental studies from Shepherd University and master's degree in agricultural and resource economics from West Virginia University. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in human and community development.

Derek Lambert

Derek Lambert is a native of Pendleton County, West Virginia, lifelong 4-H'er, and proud West Virginia All Star. He received his bachelor's degree in secondary education from the University of Maine, a master's degree in educational leadership from West Virginia University, and his Doctor of Educational Leadership and Technology from the University of Phoenix.

In his 11 years in education, he has been a high school science teacher, high school assistant principal and high school principal. Derek currently serves as the student success coordinator at the West Virginia Department of Education where he provides professional learning to school counselors, teachers and principals with the goal of enhancing student success across West Virginia.

Christopher Martin, MD, MSc, FRCP C

Chris Martin wearing a gold and blue tie

Chris Martin is a professor of medicine and occupational medicine and director of the Global Engagement Office for the Health Sciences Center at West Virginia University.

Dr. Martin also currently serves as program director and designated institutional official for the occupational medicine residency in the School of Public Health, and is p rincipal investigator of a training project grant from NIOSH and a preventive medicine residency training program grant from HRSA.

Meera Mehta, PharmD, BCIPD

Meera Mehta is a c linical infectious diseases specialist. A native of London, A head and shoulders photo of Meera in a WVU Medicine lab coat England, Meera received her PharmD in 2014 and completed her i nfectious d iseases training at WVU Medicine in 2017. She created an o utpatient p arenteral a ntimicrobial t herapy p rogram at WVU Medicine to treat patients with severe infections who require long term IV antibiotics.

She has also been involved in COVID-19 treatment and vaccine education and guideline development for WVU Medicine.

First published: Wednesday, March 31, 2021