As the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks approaches, and in response to numerous media inquiries, the Rutgers Office of Media Relations has compiled a roster of faculty and staff experts to discuss a range of aspects about the tragedy.
Air Pollution
PAUL LIOY is deputy director for government relations at the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI) and director of its Exposure Measurement and Assessment Division. EOHSI is a joint program of Rutgers and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Lioy is an expert in human exposure to environmental pollution and contamination. He can discuss:
Contact Lioy at 732-445-0155 (office) or plioy@eohsi.rutgers.edu.
Bioterrorism
FRED ROBERTS is director of the Center for Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science (DIMACS) and the new Rutgers/Department of Homeland Security Center on Discrete Sciences. He works on modeling the spread of diseases, with a focus on detecting and preventing bioterrorist attacks. He can discuss how such information could help officials thwart bioterrorist activities.
Contact Roberts at 732-445-5928 or froberts@dimacs.rutgers.edu.
Building Fires/Airplane Fuel Combustion
YOGESH JALURIA is a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Rutgers' School of Engineering. He is an expert in combustion and building fires, and how fires and smoke spread through building hallways, stairwells and enclosed spaces. He can discuss:
Contact Jaluria at 732-445-3652 or 732-445-2248 (office) or jaluria@jove.rutgers.edu.
Children and Families
MAURICE ELIAS is a professor of psychology in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers-New Brunswick. Elias is an expert in child/family, clinical and school psychology.
He can discuss:
Contact Elias at 732-445-2444 (office) or rutgersmje@aol.com.
CAROLINE CLAUSS-EHLERS is an assistant professor of counseling psychology in the department of educational psychology at Rutgers' Graduate School of Education in New Brunswick. She is fluent in Spanish. Clauss-Ehlers can discuss:
Contact Clauss-Ehlers at 732-932-7496, ext. 8312 (office), 646-244-2100 (cell phone).
Civil Liberties
PENNY VENETIS, clinical professor of law and associate director of the Constitutional Litigation Clinic at Rutgers School of Law-Newark, can comment on civil liberties and international human rights issues post-9/11. She is lead counsel in Jama v. U.S., which is the only case to find that U.S. officials, as well as corporations doing business in the United States and their employees, may be sued for violating nontreaty-based customary international law based on abuses committed in this country. Prior to joining Rutgers, she practiced with O'Melveny & Myers in New York, where her work on human rights projects included the UN Special Rapporteur's investigation of war crimes in the former Yugoslavia and the investigation of human rights abuses in the implementation of Peru's antiterrorism laws.
Contact Venetis at 973-353-5687 or pennyv@kinoy.rutgers.edu.
Detecting Potential Terrorist Activity
FRED ROBERTS is director of the Center for Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science (DIMACS) and the new Rutgers/Department of Homeland Security Center on Discrete Sciences. He oversees research to find patterns and relationships in vast and rapidly changing sources of data, such as news stories and open-source Web logs, to quickly identify emerging indicators of possible terrorist activity. He can discuss how such information could give officials more lead time to investigate and potentially thwart terrorist plans.
Contact Roberts at 732-445-5928 or froberts@dimacs.rutgers.edu.
DIMITRIS METAXAS is a professor of computer science at Rutgers-New Brunswick. He is studying how expressions and gestures may indicate that a person is being deceptive. His goal is to capture these nonverbal cues on camera, have a computer analyze them and deliver immediate input on the subject's likely truthfulness. He can discuss how these techniques could help in interrogations, screening for improved building security and immigration-related interviews.
Contact Metaxas at 732-445-2914 or dnm@cs.rutgers.edu.
Disaster Planning and Response
LEE CLARKE is an associate professor of sociology at Rutgers-New Brunswick. He is an expert in organizations, technology and disasters. His most recent book, "Worst Cases: Terror and Catastrophe in the Popular Imagination," argues for "possibilistic thinking" as a balance for the "probabilistic thinking" that shapes the way we think about catastrophes. He can discuss:
Contact Clarke at 732-445-5741 (office), 732-742-2125 (cell) or lee@leeclarke.com. His personal Web page is www.leeclarke.com.
Emotional/Psychological Workplace Issues
JACK AIELLO is a professor in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences' department of psychology at Rutgers in New Brunswick. He is a social psychologist with expertise in industrial and organization psychology with a focus on workplace stress, nonverbal communication and social interaction. He is a former president of the Environmental Psychology Division of the American Psychological Association. He can discuss:
Call Aiello at 732-445-2592 (office) or 732-841-8722 (cell).
Globalization/International Affairs
RICHARD LANGHORNE is a professor of political science and founder and co-director of the Division of Global Affairs at Rutgers-Newark. Langhorne's areas of expertise include global change and governance, economic and cultural globalization, and institutions of diplomacy. Before coming to Rutgers, Langhorne had been director and chief executive of Wilton Park, British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and had served as director of the Centre of International Studies at the University of Cambridge. Global Affairs administers graduate programs in global affairs, conducts research on the causes and consequences of global change, and serves as the focus of Rutgers' outreach to professional communities with global concerns.
Contact Langhorne at 973-353-5585 (office) or langhorn@andromeda.rutgers.edu.
YALE FERGUSON is a professor of political science and co-director of the Division of Global Affairs at Rutgers-Newark. He is an expert on U.S. foreign policy, global politics and economic and cultural globalization, and the terrorism threat, "both its reality and its not-so-reality." His many accomplishments include serving as a Fulbright Professor in Austria and as a senior fellow at the Norwegian Nobel Institute.
Contact Ferguson at 973-353-5585 (office) or yhfergus@andromeda.rutgers.edu.
Handling Grief
NANCY MCWILLIAMS is a visiting professor of psychology at Rutgers' Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology in New Brunswick. She is an expert in psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, grief, trauma and dissociation. She can discuss:
Call McWilliams at 908-782-9766 (office).
Health Effects
HOWARD KIPEN, M.D., is acting deputy director of the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), a joint program of Rutgers and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. He directs EOHSI's Occupational Health Division. Among his areas of expertise are the effects of exposure to environmental carcinogens, including asbestos, and multiple chemical sensitivities.
Contact Kipen at 732-445-0123, ext. 629, or kipen@eohsi.rutgers.edu.
NANCY FIEDLER is a member of EOHSI's Occupational Health Division. Among her areas of expertise are the neuropsychologic and psychologic effects of exposure to toxic chemicals, chemical sensitivity, stress and employee assistance.
Contact Fiedler at 732-445-0123, ext. 625, or nfiedler@eohsi.rutgers.edu.
Impact on Sporting Events
CHARLES A. MAHER is a professor of psychology at Rutgers' Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology in New Brunswick. Maher specializes in sports psychology and performance enhancement, and has served for more than 20 years as mental coach to professional athletes and teams in Major League Baseball, the NFL, the NBA and international tennis. He is a team psychologist for the Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Cavaliers. He can discuss:
Call Maher at 800-201-5321 (office), 932-445-2000, ext. 103 (office), or 216-272-0304 (cell).
STEVE MILLER is senior media services coordinator and an instructor in the department of journalism and media studies at Rutgers' School of Communication, Information and Library Studies in New Brunswick. He teaches undergraduate courses in broadcast journalism and media ethics. He can discuss:
Call Miller at 732-932-7500, ext. 8165 (office).
MICHAEL ROCKLAND is a professor in the American studies department at Rutgers-New Brunswick. He teaches an undergraduate course, "Sports in American Culture," has done research on sports fans' behavior and writes often about popular culture. He also is writing a book on security and the George Washington Bridge. He can discuss:
Call Rockland at 732-932-9179 (office).
Infectious Diseases
FELISSA R. LASHLEY is the dean and professor at Rutgers College of Nursing in Newark and interim director of the Nursing Center for Bioterrorism and Emerging Infectious Diseases Preparedness at Rutgers. She is certified as a Ph.D. medical geneticist by the American Board of Medical Genetics and is an AIDS certified registered nurse. She is the past president of the HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board (HANCB). An expert on genetics, infectious diseases and HIV/AIDS care, Lashley is widely published on these topics and has edited "Emerging Infectious Diseases: Trends and Issues" (2002, Springer Publishing Co.), and has authored more than 300 publications. Lashley is a member of the Illinois State University College of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame. She can discuss:
To contact Lashley, call Miguel Tersy at 973-353-5293, ext. 629.
Job Loss/Financial Planning
BARBARA O'NEILL is a professor at Cook College and has been a family and consumer sciences educator in Sussex County since 1978. She has taught or given presentations to more than 20,000 adult learners. She specializes in personal financial management education and has written many articles geared to new savers and those on modest budgets. She can discuss such issues as coping with job loss, the importance of financial planning and facing an uncertain employment future, and tips to help families save money.
Contact O'Neill at 973-579-0985, 732-932-9155, ext. 250 (both office), or oneill@aesop.rutgers.edu.
Political Rhetoric
WILLIAM LUTZ, a professor emeritus of English at Rutgers-Camden, is the author of the books "Doublespeak" and "Doublespeak Defined." He can discuss the rhetoric of fear, the topic of an article he recently published in Newsday.
Contact Lutz at 215-820-8991 or double.speak@verizon.net.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
RUSSELL J. KORMANN is associate project director of the Natural Setting Therapeutic Management Project and formerly the associate director of the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Program (PTSD) at Rutgers' Anxiety Disorders Clinic. The PTSD program specializes in diagnosis and treatment of people suffering from post traumatic stress. Kormann, a faculty member of Rutgers' Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, can address:
Religion and Contemporary Culture
JOHN WALL is an assistant professor of religion at Rutgers-Camden. He can discuss issues concerning religious faith and extremism, as well as how faith can sustain individuals in times of crisis.
Contact Wall at 856-225-6123 (office) or johnwall@camden.rutgers.edu.
Resurgence of American Symbols
KAREN CERULO is a professor of sociology at Rutgers in New Brunswick. She is an expert in the social foundations of symbols, with a special emphasis on nonverbal symbols. She also studies how new communications technologies are changing the perceptions and definitions of social groups and interpersonal bonds. She is the author of "Never Saw It Coming: Cultural Challenges to Envisioning the Worst" (University of Chicago Press). She can discuss:
Contact Cerulo at (908) 317-9727, or curulo@rci.rutgers.edu. Alternately, call Ken Branson in the Office of Media Relations, 732-932-7084, ext. 633.
Terrorism
HOOSHANG AMIRAHMADI is a professor of urban planning and policy development at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, and director of the Middle Eastern studies program at Rutgers in New Brunswick. He is president of the independent American Iranian Council (AIC). He is an expert in international politics and economics. He can discuss:
Call Amirahmadi at 609-252-9099 (AIC, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.), 609-509-2999 (cell) or 732-932-3822, ext.737 (Rutgers office).
ERIC DAVIS is a professor of political science at Rutgers-New Brunswick and past director of the Middle Eastern studies program. He has written widely on the history of Iraq, including his most recent book, "Memories of State: Politics, History, and Collective Identity in Modern Iraq." He recently met with President George W. Bush in Washington, D.C., where he was asked his perceptions about the conflict in Iraq. Also attending the meeting were several other experts on Iraq and top members of the president's Cabinet, the Department of State and the military. He can discuss:
Contact Davis at 732-932-9322 (office) or emdavis@rci.rutgers.edu.
TED GOERTZEL is a professor of sociology at Rutgers-Camden. He is the author of six books, including "Turncoats and True Believers: The Dynamics of Political Belief and Disillusionment." He can discuss suicide terrorism as a youth revolt and communicating with terrorists.
Contact Goertzel at 856-225-2714 (office), 609-744-7475 or Goertzel@camden.rutgers.edu.
ARTHUR KLINGHOFFER is a professor of political science at Rutgers-Camden. An expert on global politics and the Middle East, he can discuss 9/11's effects on warfare, sovereignty and human rights, and its impact on Islam.
Contact Klinghoffer at 856-225-2972 (office) or klinghof@camden.rutgers.edu.
ROY LICKLIDER is a professor of political science at Rutgers-New Brunswick. His expertise includes foreign policy, terrorism, political response to terrorism and civil wars. He can discuss foreign policy and terrorism and political responses to terrorism. Contact Licklider at 732-932-9249 (office) or licklide@rci.rutgers.edu. MILTON SCHWEBEL is a professor emeritus of psychology and an expert on the psychology of terrorism. Schwebel is a founding editor of the American Psychological Association's Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, a founding member of the Peace Psychology Division of the American Psychological Association, and a former president of Psychologists for Social Responsibility. He can speak about:
Contact Schwebel at 732-247-1725 (home) or mschwebe@rci.rutgers.edu.
KARIMA BENNOUNE, associate professor of law at Rutgers School of Law-Newark, can comment on terrorism and international law, religious extremism, Afghanistan and international human rights. She serves on the board of directors of Amnesty International USA and on the board of trustees of the Center for Constitutional Rights. Her human rights field missions have included Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Lebanon, Pakistan, South Korea, southern Thailand, and Tunisia. Her publications have appeared in the American Journal of International Law, European Journal of International Law, the Michigan Journal of International Law and the U.C. Davis Journal of International Law & Policy, and have been widely cited, including by the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women.
Contact Bennoune at 973-353-3375 (office) or kbennoun@andromeda.rutgers.edu.
RICHARD WEBSTER, staff attorney in the Environmental Law Clinic at Rutgers School of Law-Newark, can comment on the vulnerability of certain nuclear power plants to terrorist attacks. He has litigated the relicensing of New Jersey's Oyster Creek nuclear power plant, the country's oldest operating commercial reactor.
Contact Webster at 973-353-3189 or rwebster@kinoy.rutgers.edu.
Terrorism and Insurance Issues
SANDY FREUND, clinical professor of law and co-director of the Federal Tax Law Clinic at Rutgers School of Law-Newark, can comment on the tax issues of casualty losses resulting from acts of terror. Before joining Rutgers, she was a docket attorney with the Internal Revenue Service, Office of Chief Counsel, in Manhattan.
Contact Freund at 973-353-1685 or sfreund@kinoy.rutgers.edu.
Terrorism and Transportation
TAYFUR ALTIOK, MARIA BOILE and ALI MAHER are professors in Rutgers' School of Engineering, and members of the Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT). In addition, Altiok is heading the new Laboratory for Port Security, a joint effort of the Center for Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science (DIMACS) and CAIT. They can discuss the flow of freight through ocean ports and the security challenges facing freight movement, including the security of approach roads, bridges, tunnels and coastal waters.
Contact Altiok at 732-445-2829 or altiok@rci.rutgers.edu; Boile at 732-445-7979 or boile@rci.rutgers.edu, or Maher at 732-445-2232 or mmaher@rci.rutgers.edu.
CHRIS KOZUB is assistant director for workplace safety at the National Transit Institute (NTI), a unit of the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers' Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy in New Brunswick. NTI offers continuing professional education for those employed by the transit industry, including such courses as "Infectious Disease Awareness and Prevention," "Security Incident Management for Transit Supervisors" and "System Security Awareness" for commuter railroad, passenger vessel and transit employees.
Contact Kozub at 732-932-1700, ext. 249 (office), 732-261-4170 or ckozub@nti.rutgers.edu.
MARTIN E. ROBINS is director of the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers' Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy in New Brunswick. Prior to joining Rutgers, he served more than 25 years in various transportation planning and policy positions for NJ Transit and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, including as director of planning and development for the Port. Call Robins at 732-932-6812, ext. 697 (office), or 908-400-7452.
U.S. Defense Policy
EDWARD RHODES is a professor and undergraduate vice chair in the department of political science at Rutgers-New Brunswick, and is a former director for Rutgers' Center of Global Security and Democracy. He is an expert on United States defense policy. He can discuss:
Contact Rhodes at 732-932-8566, 732-932-9582 (office) or erhodes@polisci.rutgers.edu.
World Trade Center
ANGUS GILLESPIE is a professor of American studies at Rutgers-New Brunswick. Gillespie is the author of "Twin Towers: The Life of New York City's World Trade Center." He can address issues related to the World Trade Center as a symbol of American power and why it was a target for terrorism.
Call Gillespie 732-932-1630 (office).
Contact: Steve Manas
732-932-7084, ext. 612
E-mail: smanas@ur.rutgers.edu