UC SAN DIEGO FACULTY EXPERTS
CAN COMMENT ON TERRORIST EVENTS

The following UC San Diego faculty members are available to provide commentary to members of the news media on a broad range of issues related to the recent terrorist events in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania.  The following experts have expertise ranging from international politics and economics to structural engineering and chemistry.

  Experts on International Relations, Politics, and Economic Issues:     

·        Peter Cowhey is the director of the UCSD-based UC Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation.  A leading expert on the international communications and information industries, he can provide commentary on the international and global repercussions of the recent terrorist attacks on the U.S.  Cowhey is the incoming dean of UCSD’s Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies (IR/PS) and is the former chief of the International Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission. Cowhey can be reached at (858) 534-3352 pcowhey@ucsd.edu 

·        Susan Shirk is an authority on U.S.-China relations, U.S. foreign policy, and U.S. diplomatic relations.  A professor of politics at UCSD’s IR/PS, Shirk served in the Clinton administration as deputy assistant secretary of state for China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong from 1997-2000.  A member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Shirk can comment on the foreign policy and diplomatic dimensions of the recent terrorist incidents. Shirk can be reached at (858) 534-3352 sshirk@ucsd.edu  

·        Gershon Shafir, a professor of sociology, is an authority on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a member of the Israeli peace movement.  Shafir can comment on the state of Israeli-Arab relations and the future peace process in light of the recent terrorist attacks.  Shafir can be contacted at (858) 538-2530  gshafir@ucsd.edu 

·        Dan Hallin, a professor of communication, is well known for his research on media coverage during war time, and has authored several publications on the role of the news media in Vietnam, Central America, and the Gulf War.  Hallin can comment on the impact of the news media in shaping public policy and public opinion surrounding the recent terrorist strikes. Hallin can be reached at (858) 534-9981  dhallin@ucsd.edu

·        Ross Starr, a professor of economics, is an expert on the financial markets, the U.S. banking system, and general economic trends and conditions.  Starr can comment on the possible short and long term economic repercussions of the recent terrorist events and how these events might affect U.S. monetary and fiscal policy.  Starr can be reached at (858) 534-3879 or (858) 455-1630 rstarr@ucsd.edu 

·        Neal Beck, a professor of political science, specializes in the politics of U.S. economic policy.
He can provide commentary on the possible political and economic outcomes related to the terrorist attacks on the U.S.  Beck has studied the political implications of activity in the financial markets, including how economic fluctuations in the economy can impact presidential elections and other political events.  Beck can be reached at (858) 534-4296 or (619) 625-8350 nbeck@ucsd.edu   

·        Michael Bernstein, a professor of history, is an authority on the economic and political history of the U.S. since the Civil War.  He is the author, most recently, of “A Perilous Progress:  Economists and Public Purpose in 20^th Century America,” and can provide a historical perspective on the economic and political repercussions of the recent terrorist attacks.  Bernstein can be reached at (858) 534-1070/ (619) 294-3202 mberstein@ucsd.edu

·        Abe Shragge, a lecturer of history and coordinator of public programs for the UCSD Civic Collaborative, teaches courses on the history of San Diego and war and American society.  He can provide a historical perspective on current events and can discuss the history of civilian-military relations in San Diego.  Shragge can be reached at (858) 822-3124                   ashragge@ucsd.edu

Media contact for social science experts:  Dolores Davies, (858) 534-5994, ddavies@ucsd.edu 

Experts on Science & Technology Issues:

·        Sol Penner is professor emeritus in the mechanical and aerospace engineering department of the Jacobs School of Engineering. Penner is a leading authority on the process of combustion, having been the founding director of the Center for Energy and Combustion Research (1972-1990).  He can explain the process that led to the jet-fuel fireball that appears to have melted steel girders at the World Trade Center— leading to their collapse. Penner can be reached at (858) 534-4284  spenner@ucsd.edu; Media Contact: Denine Hagen  (858-534-2920) dhagen@ucsd.edu 

• John Kosmatka is professor of structural engineering at the Jacobs School of Engineering. He is an expert in the design and testing of lightweight, advanced composite materials for structural applications including composite armor for tanks, submarines, and other military vehicles.  His areas of interest include commercial-aircraft structures and design, and advanced composite materials to improve blast resistance. He can speak on potential materials to isolate cockpits from terrorists in the cabin. Kosmatka can be reached at (858) 534-1779  jkosmatka@ucsd.edu; Media Contact: Troy Anderson (858) 822-3075  tdanders@ucsd.edu

·        Mike Sailor is a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at UCSD. He  is working on devices to protect against biological and chemical attacks. He is developing sensors to detect nerve gas, and recently successfully tested an easy and cheap solution to detect TNT explosives. Sailor serves on several government advisory boards on chemical and biological warfare. Sailor can be reached at (858) 534-8188  msailor@ucsd.edu Media Contact:Kim McDonald (858) 534-7572   kimmcdonald@ucsd.edu 

·        William Trogler is a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at  UCSD. Along with Sailor (above), Trogler has developed new sensing devices to detect TNT and other substances, with some of his research funded by DARPA. Trogler can be reached at (858) 534-6175 wtrogler@ucsd.edu  Media Contact: Kim McDonald  (858) 534-7572 kimmcdonald@ucsd.edu  

• Bennet Yee is professor of computer science and engineering at the Jacobs School of Engineering. He is a world-renowned expert on computer security, encryption, online secrecy and monitoring of Internet communications. He can speak about the potential danger and vulnerability of the Internet to terrorist attack and other disruptions. Yee can be reached at (858) 534-4614   bsyee@ucsd.edu

Media Contact: Denine Hagen  (858-534-2920)  dhagen@ucsd.edu    

• David Moore is a scientist with the UCSD-based San Diego Supercomputer Center. He is an expert on Web traffic and the Internet’s structure, and can speak on potential threats to the grid. He is also the co-director of the Cooperative Association for Internet Data Analysis (CAIDA) which tracks Internet traffic patterns and disruptions. Moore can be reached at (858)534-5160  dmoore@sdsc.edu

Media Contact: Dave Hart (858) 534-8314 dhart@sdsc.edu  

• Kim Prather is a professor of chemistry and biochemistry.  She can provide commentary on the environmental and health effects of particulate matter, such as the smoke and dust plumes emanating from the World Trade Center collapse and fires.  Prather can be reached at (858) 822-5312  kprather@ucsd.edu

            Experts on Health & Medical Issues: 

• Jake Jacoby, M.D., is the disaster control officer for the UCSD Medical Center and Commandeer of the Disaster Medical Assistance Team.

He can provide commentary on how hospitals prepare and organize their efforts for mass casualties and large numbers of patients.  The team is activated by the federal government and is currently on alert status.   Media Contact:  Eileen Callahan, (619) 543-6163  ecallahan@ucsd.edu  

• Saul Levine, M.D., is a professor of psychiatry and a Children’s Hospital psychiatrist..  A top authority on the psychological aspects of mass casualty effects on children, Dr. Levine can provide commentary on how adults can best explain terrorist acts to children.  Levine can be reached at (858) 966-4936; Media Contact:  Sue Pondrom, (619) 543-6163 spondrom@ucsd.edu

• Mark Rapaport, M.D., is a professor of psychiatry, with expertise in the treatment of depression in adults. Rapaport can discuss the likely psychological effects of the recent incidents and how individuals can cope, on a personal level, with this tragedy. Rapaport can be reached at (858) 622-6195   Media Contact: Sue Pondrom (same as above).