CSU experts available to talk Thanksgiving, Black Friday

The holiday season is almost here!

Numerous experts at Colorado State University can offer valuable insights on a range of seasonal topics. These include tips for avoiding food poisoning, advice on high-altitude baking, information on the costs of a Thanksgiving meal, and expectations for this year’s holiday shopping season.

Check out the full list below.

Note to reporters: The Colorado State University campus is on Thanksgiving Break from Nov. 24-28, and many experts may be unavailable. Please arrange interviews this week by contacting Jennifer Dimas at [email protected] or CSU News at [email protected].

Jessica Clifford, registered dietitian nutritionist and CSU Extension specialist

Thanksgiving is a time to treat yourself, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some things you can do to be health conscious in the process. Jessica Clifford is a registered dietitian nutritionist and Extension specialist in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at CSU. She can share insights on mindful eating behaviors, how to enjoy food during the holidays, and how to reduce stress around cooking and mindful eating.

Dr. Kristy Pabilonia, veterinarian and expert on poultry diseases

From higher turkey prices to recent outbreaks in commercial poultry flocks across California, Michigan, Minnesota, and Canada, reports of the impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, commonly called bird flu, are on the rise. These kinds of seasonal effects, however, have been standard during the past several years, with the virus more likely to spread during colder months and during the time of year when wild birds migrate. For the latest on the virus’s spread and the outlook in Colorado, Dr. Kristy Pabilonia provides an update: Rising spread and turkey prices: A CSU expert provides an update on bird flu.

Natalie Pennington, assistant professor, communication studies 

The presidential election is a year behind us, but that doesn’t mean that sometimes tense conversations about politics are close to over. Natalie Pennington’s research focuses on the dynamics of friendships and the pitfalls of healthy discourse in a digital age. She can share some tips for keeping it a little less awkward around the Thanksgiving dinner table when family from red and blue states collide.

Brad Reisfeld, emeritus professor of chemical and biological engineering, biomedical engineering, and public health

Brad Reisfeld can talk about how to avoid food poisoning on Thanksgiving and every other day of the year. The Thanksgiving holiday is a time for feasts and family gatherings. But once the plates are cleared and the leftovers stashed in the fridge, a crucial question arises: How long can you safely savor another helping of turkey and stuffing before your holiday meal turns into a recipe for food poisoning? Reisfeld says timing, temperature, and a healthy dose of common sense can make all the difference. Find out more on CSU’s The Audit podcast: Toxicologist explains how to avoid food poisoning on Thanksgiving, and every other day of the year.

Zac Rogers, assistant professor, supply chain management 

Zac Rogers is the lead author of the monthly Logistics Managers’ Index, considered one of the leading indicators of future economic activity and the state of the supply chain. He can discuss key supply chain issues ahead of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the rest of the holiday season. This can include discussion on the impact of the tariffs on this year’s holiday shopping season, the product returns that will be generated and more.

Dawn Thilmany, professor, agricultural and resource economics 

Whether you’re curious about how much the cost of turkey has changed or how inflation will impact your holiday baking, Dawn Thilmany is available to offer insights about a range of topics surrounding the economics of food.

Charlene Van Buiten, associate professor of food science and Caitlin Clark, CSU senior food scientist

Charlene Van Buiten and Caitlin Clark can share high-altitude baking tips and discuss the science behind it.

Jonathan Zhang, associate professor of marketing

Jonathan Zhang can talk about what to expect during this year’s retail holiday shopping season, consumer behavior, and how the economy will impact it.