Expert Alert
October 2007

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U of M experts available to discuss keeping kids safe this Halloween and the critters that really do spook
October 30, 2007

The University of Minnesota has expertise available to discuss Halloween safety and real spooky critters:

Kia Harries, University of Minnesota Extension Educator
While Halloween is always a night of fall fun, a few precautions should be taken when children start to trick or treat. Harries has a variety of tips including making costumes visible in the dark and alternatives to sugary, unhealthy candy. “Keep an eye on your children at all times,” says Harries. “Keep track of what homes they visit and what treats they receive at each home.”
(Note: Harries is available only for phone interviews.)

Jennifer Menken, University of Minnesota Bell Museum of Natural History
While they might not be as terrifying as knife wielding psychos, nature’s blood lapping bats, neurotoxic spiders and slimy toads can be just as haunting. Menken, a naturalist at the U of M, can discuss these Halloween creatures and their deadly features.

To interview Menken, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Elizabeth Giorgi at (612) 624-0214 or gior0011@umn.edu.

To interview Harries, contact Julie Christensen at (612) 626-4077 or reuve007@umn.edu; or Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu.

Wildfires leave California's landscape scorched
October 26, 2007

As the wildfires in California still smolder, more than $1 billion in damages have been estimated so far and hundreds of thousands of residents are returning home to see what remains. A University of Minnesota expert who can discuss the fires is:

Kurt Kipfmueller, University of Minnesota geography professor
Kipfmueller says that the combination of a terrible drought and the strong Santa Ana winds fueled the fires, catastrophically blazing through California’s brushlands. What also has contributed to the problem is that “people are moving into fire-prone areas but not taking the needed precautions to live there.” Part of Kipfmueller’s research at the U of M is in western forest environments and the effects of fires.

To interview Kipfmueller, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Elizabeth Giorgi at (612) 624-0214 or gior0011@umn.edu.

U.S. needs to balance research with terrorism threat, panel finds
October 23, 2007

The National Research Council, part of the National Academy of Sciences, is urging that a commission be formed to balance the need for free flow of international scientific research with the threat of terrorism. The Science and Security Commission, which would be co-chaired by the president’s national security officer and the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, would gauge when restriction of information for security reasons hampers the free exchange of scientific knowledge. An expert panel for the council recommended the commission last week, adding that the United States should continue to welcome students from around the world. A University of Minnesota expert who can speak about this is:

Gail Dubrow, dean of the Graduate School at the University of Minnesota
Dubrow is vice provost and dean of the Graduate School at the University of Minnesota, which oversees the majority of the university's graduate programs and research. She has led multiple initiatives in Minnesota aimed at fostering interdisciplinary activity and reforming graduate education. From 1989 to 2005 she served on the University of Washington faculty, holding several administrative appointments including associate dean for academic programs in the Graduate School. She is a former fellow of the American Council on Education, an organization nearing its ninetieth year of conducting research and public policy advocacy in issues related to higher education.

To interview Dubrow, contact Luisa Badaracco at (612) 624-1690 or luisab@umn.edu.

Turkish-American ties threatened as House prepares for possible historic vote
- U of M professor available to speak about controversial vote -
October 17, 2007

Following the House Foreign Affairs Committee's approval last week of a nonbinding resolution, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi says she will push a full vote in the House later this month. Turkish officials and American diplomats are warning that adopting the resolution, which would declare the World War I era killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks a genocide, would severely impair America’s ties with Turkey, a key ally in the war on Iraq. This week, Turkey is threatening to cut off access to a strategically important military base in the country. A University of Minnesota expert who can speak about this is:

Taner Akcam, visiting associate professor at the University of Minnesota
Akcam, a Turkish historian and sociologist, has written several books including last year’s award-winning “A Shameful Act: The Armenian Genocide and the Question of Turkish Responsibility.” He is one of the first Turkish academics to acknowledge the Armenian genocide.

To interview Akcam, contact Luisa Badaracco at (612) 624-1690 or luisab@umn.edu; or Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu.

Economics expert discusses Nobel prize winner Leonid Hurwicz
October 15, 2007

University of Minnesota Regents Professor Emeritus Leonid Hurwicz, along with two other Americans, has been awarded the Nobel Prize in economics today for theories that help set rules for transactions ranging from auctions to elections. The university professor that can discuss Hurwicz and his work is:

V.V. Chari , professor of economics
Chari is available to comment on the theory, which won Hurwicz the award. He can also comment on the work that they have done together at the U of M.

To interview Chari, contact Elizabeth Giorgi at (612) 624-0214 or egiorgi@umn.edu.

"Open enrollment" for health insurance is here: learn the issues and plan options
October 9, 2007

Companies are entering the “open enrollment” period for health care insurance and employees must reassess their options to find the best fit for their needs. University of Minnesota experts who can discuss what has changed and offer helpful tips are:

Stephen Parente, professor of finance at the U of M's Carlson School of Management
Parente is available to comment on all health insurance issues including Medicare Part D, health savings accounts and the latest health care incentives. Since 2002, he's been the lead investigator on three of four grants that the University of Minnesota has received from the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Evaluation and Planning, to study Health Savings Accounts.

Jean Abraham, professor at the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health
Abraham says employees should take advantage of wellness initiatives and employer incentives, from health risk assessments to discounts on gym memberships. Even online tools such as specialized benefits calculators are useful in making decisions. Her research focuses on health economics and policy, health insurance, welfare analysis and hospital market competition.

To interview Parente or Abraham, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Elizabeth Giorgi at (612) 624-0214 or gior0011@umn.edu.