Hurricane Katrina Aftermath:
Faculty Experts at San Diego State University

Contact: Renee Haines
SDSU Marketing & Communications
Office (619) 594-4298
rhaines@mail.sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO, Friday, Sept. 2, 2005 – The following experts at San Diego State University are available to discuss the following topics related to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina:

On Consumer Reaction to Rising Gas Prices at the Pump: Lars Perner is an expert on marketing and consumer behavior who can comment on reactions by consumers to escalating gasoline prices in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. (See his recent article on this topic at www.consumerpsychologist.com/gasoline_prices.htm.) Lars Perner can be reached directly at (760) 768-5614 (cell (240) 462-5235) and/or by email at lperner@mail.sdsu.edu

On Rebuilding New Orleans: Lawrence Herzog, a graduate professor of city planning and urban design at San Diego State University, has written or edited six books on the history, design and planning of cities. His latest book is “Return to the Center: Public Space and City Building in a Global Arena.” Lawrence Herzog can be reached directly at (619) 594-6964 and/or by email at laherzog@mail.sdsu.edu to comment on rebuilding New Orleans and other Gulf Coast cities.

On Race/Class Relations: In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, questions arise over the role of race/class relations. Sociologist Phillip Gay, chair of the Department of Sociology at San Diego State University, is an expert on minority group relations. He can be reached at (619) 594-7199 (cell: (858) 342-1307) and/or by email at pgay@mail.sdsu.edu.

On the Impact on Tourism: Tourism was a major economic generator for New Orleans and other Gulf Coast cities. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, what is the long-range impact? Carl Winston, director of the Hospitality and Tourism Management program at San Diego State University, also is a 20-year veteran of tourism industry ranks and expert on national trends. Carl Winston can be reached directly at (619) 594-4964 and/or by email at carl.winston@sdsu.edu.

On Environmental/Health Risks: Rick Gersberg, a professor in the Graduate School of Public Health at San Diego State University, is a veteran researcher and expert on water quality and pollutants that contaminate the earth waters, and risk assessment factors. He also is part of an international effort to stem the rising Adriatic tides that flood the city of Venice. Rick Gersberg can be reached directly at (619) 594-2905 and/or by email at rgersber@mail.sdsu.edu.

On Water Quality: Mirat Gurol, an engineering professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at San Diego State University, can discuss groundwater contamination and cleanup issues in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Gurol helped restore pure drinking water to areas in India affected by last year’s deadly tsunami. Mirat Gurol can be reached directly at (619) 594-0391 and/or by email at mgurol@mail.sdsu.edu.

On Rescue and Relief Efforts: Eric Frost, a professor of geological sciences at San Diego State University, and member of the Board of Advisors for the National Institute on Urban Search and Rescue, is an expert in remote telecommunications and mapping technologies that can be used by rescuers and relief administrators. Frost can be reached at (619) 594-5003 (cell: (619) 417-2982) and/or by email at frost@imagine.sdsu.edu.

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