Expert Alert Archive | University News Service

Expert Alert | Archive | 2005

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Evolution vs. Intelligent Design and Creationism
Dec. 21, 2005

Randy Moore, professor of biology at the University of Minnesota, is available to speak about evolution vs. intelligent design and creationism.

To interview Moore, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.

Evolution in the classroom
Dec. 21, 2005

Mark Borrello, professor at the College of Biological Sciences, specializes in evolution, ecology, and behavior, and he is available to speak about evolution in the classroom.

Scott Lanyon, U professor and director of the university's Bell Museum of Natural History, can also speak on evolution in the classroom.

To interview Borrello or Lanyon, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.

How to care for a Christmas tree
Dec. 20, 2005

Nancy Rose, a horticulturist with the University of Minnesota Extension Service Regional Center, Farmington, is available to speak about caring for Christmas trees.

To interview Rose, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.

Tips for parents on gift giving and issues involving divorce
Dec. 20, 2005

Minnell Tralle, a family relations specialist with the University of Minnesota Extension Service Regional Center, Andover, can speak about families and holiday gift giving. Often parents overindulge in presents for their children this time of year, Tralle said. Tralle can offer tips for parents on gift giving. Tralle can also talk about holiday issues involving families and divorce.

To interview Tralle, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.

Ice safety
Dec. 20, 2005

Mark Seeley, University of Minnesota climatologist and meteorologist, can discuss when it is safe to walk on ice and provide general ice safety tips. Seeley can also provide weather commentary.

To interview Seeley, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.

Iraqi elections and the war in Iraq
Dec. 14, 2005

Michael Barnett, the Harold Stassen Chair of International Relations at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs and an adjunct professor of political science at the University of Minnesota, is available to talk about the elections in Iraq and the war in Iraq. Barnett has expertise in international organizations, humanitarianism, genocide and international affairs.

To interview Barnett, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.

Johnson & Johnson’s plan to acquire Guidant
Dec. 8, 2005

Art Hill, professor of operations and management science, can speak about Guidant.
Contact Hill at (612) 624-4015.

Rajesh Aggarwal, finance professor, can speak about merger and acquisition legal issues regarding Guidant.

To interview any of the experts above, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.

U.S. Supreme Court Solomon Amendment case
Dec. 8, 2005

Dale Carpenter, a University of Minnesota Law School professor, can speak about the U.S. Supreme Court case Rumsfeld v. FAIR. The case involves the constitutionality of the Solomon Amendment. The amendment allows the federal government to deny funding to universities that bar military recruiters from campus. Carpenter believes the amendment is unconstitutional because it exceeds Congress’s Spending Clause power and because it unconstitutionally conditions the receipt of federal funds on the relinquishment of constitutional rights.

To interview Carpenter, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.

Auto industry in light of job cuts and consolidations
Dec. 8 , 2005

John Fossum, professor of human resources and industrial relations, is an expert on compensation, pension plans and the auto industry.
Contact Fossum at (612) 624-0092 or jfossum@csom.umn.edu

Alfred Marcus, professor of strategic management and organization, is an expert on strategic issues facing the industry.

To interview Fossum or Marcus, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.

Riots in France
Nov. 8, 2005

Patricia Lorcin, University of Minnesota history professor, specializes in France and is available to speak about the riots in France. Lorcin teaches courses on women and conflict in the 20th century, on French racial ideology and on European social, cultural and political identities through film.

To interview Lorcin, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.

Gov. Pawlenty’s trade visit to China
Nov. 8, 2005

Mahmood Zaidi, professor of human resources and industrial relations, Carlson School of Management, is available to speak about the trade mission. Zaidi serves on the board of the Minnesota China Center and also helped start the China Executive MBA program.

Minyuan Zhao, assistant professor of strategic management and organization, Carlson School of Management, is from China and has conducted research on multinational companies and R & D in China.

To interview Zaidi or Zhao, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.

U.S. Supreme Court military tribunal case
Nov. 8, 2005

Guy-Uriel Charles, University of Minnesota Law School professor, is available to discuss the U.S. Supreme Court agreeing to consider a challenge to the Bush administration’s military tribunals for foreign terror suspects. The case is expected to be a major test of the U.S. government’s wartime powers. Charles is an expert on the U.S. Supreme Court. He teaches and writes in the areas of constitutional law, civil procedure, election law, law and politics, and race.

To interview Charles, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.

Consumer-driven health plans
Nov. 2, 2005

Across the country, Americans with health insurance are looking at open enrollment options, and many of them are seeing new options from which to choose. These include consumer-driven health care plans.

Stephen Parente, assistant professor of finance at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management, has conducted research on the impact of consumer-driven health plans, which may soon become a standard offering in many employee benefit portfolios.

To interview Parente, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.

CIA/Plame leak investigation/trial
Nov. 2, 2005

Reporters as witnesses could play a crucial role in the trial of Lewis “Scooter” Libby.

Jane Kirtley, professor of media ethics and law at the University of Minnesota, can speak about the media aspects of the CIA/Plame leak investigation/trial. Kirtley has said this is the thing journalists fear most – “that they will become an investigative arm of the government and be forced to testify against the sources they've cultivated.”

To interview Kirtley, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.

Liberian elections
Nov. 2, 2005

Seyon Nyanwleh, a global studies and political science junior, President of the U of M African Student Association (ASA), and a native of Liberia is available to speak about elections in Liberia. Nyanwleh endured much hardship and survived the civil war before coming to the United States. He met with George Weah, the candidate who is leading in the current Liberian election. The run-off election takes place on November 8.

Victoria Coifman, assistant professor of Afro-American and African Studies, can speak about the Liberian elections. Coifman is a West and North African historian with special expertise on the French speaking nations. She is also an expert in African past and current urban affairs, Islam, developmental issues and oral history of West and North Africa.

To interview Nyanwleh or Coifman, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.

Plame/CIA leak investigation
Oct. 27, 2005

Allan Erbsen, University of Minnesota Law School professor, says this has been a serious and painstakingly conducted investigation with potentially severe ramifications. Erbsen teaches and writes in the areas of civil procedure, federal courts, and international arbitration.

Jason Roberts, University of Minnesota political science professor, can speak about the political fall-out involving the special prosecutor’s investigation of the CIA leak. Roberts research focuses on American politics, the U.S. Congress, elections and Supreme Court nominations.

Jeff Lomonaco, University of Minnesota political science professor, is also available to speak about the CIA leak investigation. His expertise focuses on modern and contemporary political and social theory.

To interview one of the experts, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.

Bernanke’s appointment as chairman of the Federal Reserve
Oct. 27, 2005

Joe Ritter, a professor in the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, is available to speak about Ben Bernanke’s appointment as chairman of the Federal Reserve. Ritter spent 7 ½ years in the Research Division of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and spent two years at the Congressional Budget Office. Ritter says “I think Ben Bernanke is one of the best choices the president could have made. Bernanke is well known by people who think a lot about monetary policy. He’s well-known in the Federal Reserve and has been influential in monetary economics for a long time.” Ritter has expertise in labor markets and macroeconomics, macroeconomic data, and incentives in employment relationships.

Timothy Kehoe, professor of economics and an adviser at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, is available to speak about Ben Bernanke’s appointment to the Federal Reserve.

To interview Ritter or Kehoe, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.

U.S. Supreme Court, including the physician-assisted suicide case and Harriet Miers’ nomination
Oct. 27, 2005

David Stras, University of Minnesota associate professor of Law, can speak about a broad range of issues involving the U.S. Supreme Court. He has closely followed the Gonzales v. Oregon case that is being argued before the U.S. Supreme Court today. The case involves Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act, which allows adults suffering from terminal illnesses to end their lives with a doctor's help. Stras writes and teaches in the areas of criminal law, federal courts and jurisdiction, constitutional law, and law and economics. His research focuses on the U.S. Supreme Court, and he is currently writing about judicial retirements.
Stras is also available to speak about Harriet Miers’ nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. On her nomination, Stras says, “I am little disappointed by the President’s choice to name Ms. Miers or any other stealth nominee to the Supreme Court because of the number of high-quality individuals the president could have chosen instead.”

Guy-Uriel Charles, University of Minnesota associate professor of Law, can also speak about a broad range of issues involving the U.S. Supreme Court including Harriet Miers’ nomination. Charles has expertise in U.S. Supreme Court, constitutional law, civil procedure, election law, law and politics and race.

To interview Stras or Charles, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.