NEWS TIP SHEET
Natural Hazards
Kathleen Tierney, professor of sociology and director of the Natural Hazards Center, is a nationally recognized expert on the human and social dimensions of hazards, disaster and risk. She was the senior author on "Facing the Unexpected: Disaster Preparedness and Response in the United States," a volume published in 2001 analyzing current theory and research on preparation for and response to disasters. The Natural Hazards Center, part of CU-Boulder's Institute of Behavioral Science, is the nation's leading repository of knowledge on human behavior in disasters. Contact her at (303) 492-6818.
Dennis Mileti, senior research scientist at the Natural Hazards Center and professor emeritus of sociology at CU-Boulder, coordinated a national effort to evaluate everything that is known about natural hazards and to develop ways of reducing their social and economic costs. The result of that study, "Disasters by Design: A Reassessment of Natural Hazards in the United States," was published in 1999 and is intended to guide research and policy in the field of natural hazards over the next 20 years. Mileti is the former director of the Natural Hazards Center and former chair of the CU-Boulder sociology department. Contact him on his cell phone at (303) 520-3400.
Oil and Gas
Paul Weimer, professor of geology and director of the CU-Boulder Energy and Minerals Applied Research Center, is an internationally known expert on deep-water petroleum systems and has extensive knowledge of Gulf of Mexico oil exploration and production operations. He has been in contact with colleagues in the Gulf region and says that as much as 80 percent to 90 percent of operations in the region have been halted with major damage and destruction reported at as many as 100 oil platforms. Weimer is available intermittently, by phone only. Contact him at (303) 492-3809.
Jack Edwards, adjunct professor of geological sciences and a former chief geologist for Shell Oil Co., Edwards spent 37 years in the oil industry before joining the CU-Boulder faculty in 1992. He can discuss oil prices and believes the price of oil will remain above $60 a barrel after the recovery from Hurricane Katrina, in part because of inadequate refining facilities that existed before the disaster disrupted production. He can provide expert comments on the future oil supply, oil and gas prices, and alternative fuel supplies. On Sept. 20, Edwards will make a presentation to international scientists gathered for the U.S. Association of Energy Economists meeting at the Omni Interlocken Hotel in Broomfield, Colo., regarding alternative fuels, specifically Canadian tar sands, oil shales, liquefied natural gas and Venezuelan heavy oil. Contact him at (303) 440-7708.
Economic Impacts
Richard Wobbekind, professor of business economics and director of the Business Research Division in the Leeds School of Business, is an expert on the Colorado and national economies. He can talk about specific sectors of the economy and how the aftermath of the hurricane may affect Colorado's economy and the national economy. Contact him at (303) 492-1147.
Jeff Romine, research economist for the Business Research Division in the Leeds School of Business, studies economic issues and can discuss the impact of energy costs on the transportation and shipping industries. He also can talk about the damage to refineries and how that will impact heating oil and gasoline production. Contact him at (303) 492-5056.
Byron Koste, director of the University of Colorado Real Estate Center, can talk about redevelopment challenges the Gulf Coast might face. He joined the Leeds School of Business from Westinghouse Communities Inc., where he was chiefly responsible for the development of the company's real estate operations on Florida's west coast. Contact him at (303) 492 4664.
Engineering of Levees
Stein Sture, associate dean for research in the College of Engineering and Applied Science, conducts research in geomechanics, geotechnical engineering and structural mechanics. He can talk about the failure of engineering structures, including levees. Contact him at (303) 492-7651.
Dobroslav Znidarcic , associate professor of civil, environmental and architectural engineering, is a civil engineer specializing in geotechnical engineering, and conducts research related to the design and construction of earthen structures. He can discuss general levee design, construction, maintenance and failure issues. Contact him at (303) 492-7577.
Ross Corotis, professor of civil, environmental and architectural engineering, has a background in structural mechanics and serves on the steering committee of the National Research Council's Natural Disasters Roundtable. He can address societal trade-offs associated with the design of public facilities like bridges, dams and other public works that could affect life and property. He can speak about risk assessment, structural engineering standards and the advisory role that engineers should play regarding public structures and facilities. Contact him at (303) 735-0539.
Disasters and Pets
Leslie Irvine, associate professor of sociology, has studied how pets and farm animals are protected during natural disasters and other emergencies. After Hurricane Charley hit Florida last year, Irvine visited some of the hardest hit areas to study how animal shelters planned for and handled the disaster. Pets are a major problem during hurricanes and other disasters because people aren't allowed to take cats and dogs into emergency shelters and most animal shelters already are filled to capacity under normal conditions, according to Irvine. An estimated 58 percent of American households have at least one pet. Contact her at (303) 492-7039 or irvinel@colorado.edu.