Resources on War and Terrorism

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY FACULTY RESOURCES ON WAR AND TERRORISM

Baylor University faculty experts are available to the media on various topics surrounding the war in Iraq. The list is updated daily at http://pr.baylor.edu.

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Biological warfare

Dr. William Hillis, a medical doctor and professor of biology, is known for his groundbreaking research on human viral hepatitis and has been involved in the investigation of human infectious disease epidemics throughout the world. He has conducted research with the U.S. Air Force in Denmark, the Republic of the Congo and at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, where he was chief of epidemiology at the USAF Epidemiological Laboratory. From 1968-70 he served as a virologist and resident coordinator at the Johns Hopkins Center for Medical Research and Training in Calcutta, India.

Dr. Rene Massengale, assistant professor of biology, is trained in biomedical studies, microbiology and immunology. Her current research includes environmental exposure to microbes, respiratory infection and inflammation, and the role of pathogens in water quality. She has assessed biological agents, diseases caused by them and what protective measures can be taken.

Building a public consensus and rhetoric of U.S. foreign policy

Dr. Karla Leeper, associate professor of communication studies and The Glenn R. Capp Professor of Forensics, conducts research on ways in which a U.S. President utilizes public discourse to justify policy actions and to garner public support on particular issues. Specifically, she examines how a President creates support for military and foreign policy agendas. She also is former president of the American Forensic Association.

Chemical warfare

Dr. Chuck Garner, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, specializes in organic chemistry. He can discuss what organic chemicals are used in warfare and how they affect humans and the environment.

Dr. Bryan Brooks, assistant professor in the environmental studies department, is an environmental toxicologist who has conducted extensive field and laboratory research on heavy metals in the water supply, and he has worked as a consultant in industrial and government projects. Brooks's expertise includes the effects of chemical weapons on the environment and human health assessments of toxic chemical exposure.

Children and war, Reintegration of family members after an extended absence, Trauma effects on soldiers and their families

Dr. M. David Rudd, professor of psychology and neuroscience and director of Baylor's doctoral program in clinical psychology, specializes in trauma, depression and anxiety disorders. He served in the U.S. Army as a clinical psychologist during the 1991 Gulf War and currently consults with the U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense on a project called "Managing Suicidal Behavior." The former chief of psychotherapy at Scott and White Hospital in Temple, Rudd is president of the American Association of Suicidology and is known internationally for his book, Treating Suicidal Behavior.

DNA analysis of human remains

Dr. Lori Baker, assistant professor of sociology, is an expert on DNA analysis of bone, teeth and hair samples. She has performed anthropological fieldwork in Cuba, Japan and throughout Central America, and recently returned from Peru and Panama where she has been working with the Truth Commissions to assist in the identification of missing individuals due to past political turmoil.

Families in Crisis

Dr. Diana Garland, chair of the School of Social Work, directs the Baylor Center for Family and Community Ministries. She is the author, co-author or editor of 14 books and has published more than 40 professional articles.

Jewish-Arab relations

Dr. Marc Ellis, University Professor of American and Jewish Studies, is considered one of the country's leading experts on Jewish-Arab relations. He is the author of 15 books, including Israel and Palestine: Out of the Ashes: The Search for Jewish Identity in the Twenty-First Century; Unholy Alliance: Religion and Atrocity in Our Time; O Jerusalem: The Contested Future of the Jewish Covenant; and Toward a Jewish Theology of Liberation. He regularly provides commentary and analysis for BBC radio and National Public Radio.

Pastoral leadership in times of war, Patriotism in worship

Dr. Terry York, associate professor of Christian ministry and church music at Truett Seminary and the Baylor School of Music, was associate pastor at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas before joining Baylor in 1998. The son of a 30-year Marine Corps veteran and a former Marine himself, York can discuss a pastor's role during wartime and what part patriotism plays in worship.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Dr. Gary Brooks, associate professor of psychology and neuroscience, is a clinical psychologist who specializes in post-traumatic stress disorder and the effects of war on service members stationed overseas. Before coming to Baylor, Brooks practiced clinical psychology in the Veteran's Administration Health Care System. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and has been president of APA's division of family psychology and the Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity.

ROTC programs, Air Force training

Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bowles commands Baylor's Air Force ROTC program and can comment on current Air Force training and recruiting, the popularity of ROTC programs and how the war will affect ROTC numbers.

Saddam Hussein, International terrorism, Palestinian-Israeli conflict

Dr. Mark Long, director of Middle East studies, has focused his research on the past and politics of Saddam Hussein, Osama Bin Laden, international terrorism and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. As a former Middle East analyst in the U.S. Air Force, Long has traveled extensively in the region and just returned from a March 2003 trip to Egypt and Israel. Long's book, The Other Gulf War: Politics, Religion and the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait, is in publication at the University of Texas Press.

Suffering and faith, Ethics of war

Dr. Randall O'Brien, chair of the department of religion, conducts research in the area of suffering and faith and on 'just war' issues and the ethics of war. Also, as a Vietnam veteran who was awarded the Bronze Star, O'Brien can comment on the experiences military personnel will face in times of war.

Treating victims of biological and chemical weapons

Charles Kemp, senior lecturer and clinical instructor at Baylor's Louise Herrington School of Nursing in Dallas, served as a U.S. Marine from 1966-67. His experiences in Vietnam inspired him to become a nurse and work with those in the greatest need. He specializes in infectious diseases common in refugees and immigrants from third world countries and operates a free clinic for indigents in Dallas.

Turkey

Dr. William Mitchell, The Jo Murphy Chair in International Education and professor of political science, is a retired Air Force colonel who served as base commander at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey and as Air Base Group Commander in Izmir, Turkey, during the Gulf War. He is an academic associate of NATO and a recipient of the U.S. Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and the Humanitarian Award for Kurdish Relief.

War and Apocalypse, Book of Revelation, Tolerance

Dr. A.J. (Chip) Conyers, professor of theology at Baylor's George W. Truett Theological Seminary, is the author of Last Things: The Heart of New Testament Eschatology, which will be released in April by St. Augustine Press. Last Things is a study of the passages in the gospels known as the "little apocalypse" -- the teachings of Jesus on the last things. Conyers' other books include The Long Truce: How Toleration Made the World Safe of Power and Profit, in which he offers suggestions for restoring authentic toleration -- and hope for peace.

War and the classroom

Dr. Andrew Milson, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction in the School of Education, conducts research on improving social studies education, including the integration of social issues into the elementary school curriculum, as well as the teaching of character, values and morality. He can discuss how questions of war can be approached in the classroom, especially for younger students.

Dr. Tony L. Talbert, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction in the School of Education, conducts research in peace and democracy education with a special focus on the integration of peace movements, peace leaders and peace policy within the context of democracy education. He can discuss ways teachers can answer students' questions regarding alternatives to warfare, right of dissent within a democratic society, and interactive peace and democracy teaching strategies and resources.

War and the economy

Dr. Steve Green, professor and chair of economics, specializes in macroeconomics. He can discuss the likely effects of war on economic growth, unemployment, inflation and interest rates.

Dr. Beck A. Taylor, professor of economics and The W.H. Smith Professor of Economics, specializes in the area of gasoline/oil prices.

Dr. Kent Gilbreath, professor of economics and The E.M. and Thelma Stevens Chair of Private Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, has extensive experience and expertise in energy issues and can discuss the impact of war in that economic sector. Gilbreath also is fluent in Spanish.