Dr. Linsey Marr, an acknowledged expert in aerosol transmission of viruses, was awarded a 2023 MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant.  Marr is a Professor of Civil and Environmental engineering at Virginia Tech. with extensive experience in the relationship between ventilation and transmission of disease agents. 

Dr. Marr was instrumental in establishing that aerosol transmission was a significant mechanism for acquiring COVID compared to droplet transmission that is effective only over short distances of up to six feet.  Establishing that COVID remains suspended in air was instrumental in modifying initial public health recommendations that were based on influenza. The early incorrect assumption promoted six-foot spacing to provide protection. 

Aerosol transmission was especially important in packing and processing plants where large numbers of workers operated in close proximity in cold and humid environments for prolonged periods.  Dr. Marr established the need for effective masking and frequent changes of air to prevent inhalation of aerosolized suspended virus during the initial and pre-vaccination months of the pandemic.  Her work was incorporated in EPA Guidelines advising, “Particles from an infected person can move through an entire room and all indoor spaces.  Particles can also linger in the air after a person has left a room and can remain airborne for hours in some cases.”

Recipients of a MacArthur Fellowship (Genius Grant) receive $800,000 over five years to spend in any way they consider productive. Those nominated by peers for consideration by the John D. and Katherine T. MacArthur Foundation generally have made contributions and have potential to further contribute to the arts and sciences benefiting humanity.