Sonoma State Experts

Professors available for commentary on war with Iraq, bio-terrorism, economy, peace movement, impact of military actions on families, and energy policy.

FOREIGN POLICY, PRESIDENCY, CONGRESS, CIVIL LIBERTIES

ANDY MERRIFIELD - public opinion on foreign policy as it applies to peace, war, elections, civil liberties issues etc; American foreign-policy making from the perspective of the presidency, congress, the bureaucracy, interest groups etc. He can talk generally about the national institutions of government in the context of what is going on, in addition to media, interest groups etc. He can also discuss state, local and inter-governmental issues. Dr. Merrifield is chair of the political science department and a professor of political science. Office: (707) 664-3946; home: (707) 526-7218; e-mail: andy.merrifield@sonoma.edu

ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT, PEACE MOVEMENT TACTICS, IMPACT OF SECTARIAN GROUPS INVOLVED

DAVID WALLS - anti-war movement in historical perspective, non-violent and other disruptive tactics used by the peace movement, and controversies over the impact of left-wing sectarian groups on the anti-war movement. Walls has been an activist and observer of social movements for four decades, and has participated in the activities of numerous peace, environmental, and human rights organizations. He brings a comparative perspective to the use of non-violent direct action techniques by the civil rights and peace movements, and has written on the problems and prospects of humanitarian intervention in military conflicts. He follows the participation of sectarian political groups in the peace movement and other social movements. Dr. Walls is a professor of sociology who teaches classes on the civil rights movement, the environmental movement, and gender and social movements. He is the author of The Activist's Almanac: The Concerned Citizen's Guide to the Leading Advocacy Organizations in America (Simon & Schuster/Fireside, 1993). Home: (707) 823-7403; e-mail: dwalls@igc.org

IMPACT OF WAR ON FAMILY LIFE

ELAINE LEEDER - impact of war on family life; effects of trauma and catastrophes as well as the ongoing problems associated with disruption of "normal life;" impact of bombing on daily life, the effects on children, the problems associated with leaving one's home and the status of being a refugee; the impact of war mobilization on families here in the US, on the soldiers themselves, as well as those left behind. Dr. Leeder is a professor of sociology and dean of the School of Social Sciences. She has a Ph.D. from Cornell University, an M.P.H. from UC-Berkeley, and an M.S.W. from Yeshiva University. Office: (707) 664-2120; e-mail: elaine.leeder@sonoma.edu

WARTIME ECONOMY, ECONOMIC SANCTIONS, OIL PRICE FORECASTS, REGIONAL ISSUES, POST-WAR IRAQI ECONOMY

ROBERT EYLER - how the American, California and local economies will react to a war in Iraq; potential reactions of the US economy to policies carried out domestically and how consumers may react to the war; possible post-war Iraqi economy and economy set-up, and the costs and issues involved with an UN/American occupation force and command over sources of oil. Dr. Eyler is assistant professor of economics and the Director of The Center of Regional Economic Analysis at SSU. He teaches macroeconomic theory, econometrics, and money and banking, with a particular emphasis on financial markets and economic sanctions. Office: (707) 664-4256; e-mail: crea@sonoma.edu

ENERGY AND NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY AND POLICY,RENEWABLE ENERGY, ELECTRIC POWER

DR. ALEXANDRA VON MEIER - various aspects of energy technology and policy; electric power, renewable resources, and nuclear energy; management and reliability of the electric grid (including vulnerability of the grid to terrorist attack); the performance, economics, and politics of renewable energy (especially solar and wind power); and issues pertaining to nuclear technology (including nuclear power plant operation, nuclear materials management, proliferation and weapons issues, and nuclear politics).She can comment on opportunities for reducing energy end-use throughout our economy, especially with regard to decreasing U.S. dependence on fossil fuels. Dr. von Meier's technical background is in the area of electric power, renewable resources, nuclear energy, energy efficiency and green building design. She is assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Studies and Planning at Sonoma State University, where she teaches courses in energy management and design, and Director of the Environmental Technology Center. She has testified on energy policy before Congress.
Office: (707) 664-2430; e-mail: vonmeier@sonoma.edu

NATURE AND STRATEGIES OF BIO-TERRORISM

DR. JIM CHRISTMANN - the nature and strategies of bio-terrorism and bio-warfare and how these threats are used to create hysteria. He can discuss current scientific tools that can be used to track the source of these agents and how the risks of infection can be managed. A molecular geneticist in the biology department, Professor Christmann has spent his career using recombinant DNA and biochemical techniques studying gene function. He was drafted out of graduate school in 1969 and spent two years working on the means of detection of bio-warfare agents while in the U.S. Army. Office: (707) 664-3054; e-mail: james.christmann@sonoma.edu

BIO-TERRORISM ORGANISMS AND VIRUSES

DR. EILEEN THATCHER - various aspects relating to pathogenic organisms and viruses which may cause harm if used as agents of warfare or terrorism. She can address issues relating to the characteristics of the organisms and/or viruses; means of recognition; means of prevention and control; durability in the environment; and potential for causing damage in the population. Dr. Thatcher teaches microbiology, bacteriology, medical microbiology, virology, and immunology. In addition, she consults in the biotechnology industry, particularly in areas relating to laboratory practices, and to assay and protocol design. Office: (707) 664-2931;
e-mail: thatcher@sonoma.edu

Contact: Jean Wasp, Media Relations, (707) 664-2057