Media Tip Sheet: War and Terrorism-Related Resources at Colorado State University
Note to Editors: Colorado State is providing the following list of university research centers and faculty experts that can address a variety of issues related to war and terrorism. The tip sheet is intended to provide resources to the media and not as contact information for the public. Please contact the University Relations staff members listed below for more information or to arrange interviews with any of the experts.
War and the National Economy
Ron Phillips, professor of economics at Colorado State, can discuss challenges the U.S. economy may face this year in light of the continuing war on terrorism and a possible war with Iraq. Phillips notes that, in contrast to other wars, government spending for the war on terrorism and for a potential military intervention in Iraq is not creating many new jobs. Instead, he predicts a military intervention in Iraq will likely negatively affect people’s expectations about the future and consumer confidence. Phillips predicts that, although traditional economic stimuli including tax cuts and low interest rates will remain in place, there will not be an economic recovery until late this year at the earliest.
Contact: Brad Bohlander, Brad.Bohlander@colostate.edu, (970) 491-1545.
The Colorado Economy
Stephan Weiler, associate professor of economics at Colorado State and a specialist on Colorado’s economy, says that Colorado has been performing an economic balancing act since the recession began and continues in a state of uncertainty. This razor’s edge is becoming even sharper with the current war on terrorism and potential military action in Iraq. While Colorado’s economic fundamentals remain considerably stronger than they were 10 to 15 years ago, the state’s budget crisis, continuing technology and telecommunications sector struggles – and the added strain of the extreme drought – have only furthered uncertainty regarding Colorado’s awaited economic recovery. United Airlines’ economic woes pose another question mark for the state, given Denver’s role as a major United hub.
Contact: Brad Bohlander, Brad.Bohlander@colostate.edu, (970) 491-1545.
Managing Investments in a Volatile Market
Rick Johnson, associate professor of finance at Colorado State, is an investment expert who can discuss all aspects of the securities market including treasury and agency markets, municipal market, corporate bond market and markets for mortgage-related securities. He can discuss how individual investors should manage fixed-income portfolios and how investors should handle volatility in the market in the short and long term.
Contact: Jennifer Dimas, Jennifer.Dimas@colostate.edu, (970) 491-1543.
How will American Businesses be Affected by War?
Sanjay Ramchander, associate professor of finance at Colorado State, can discuss recent geopolitical and economic events and their impact on American and global business; primarily, the impact a potential war with Iraq will have on oil prices and the economy. He also can discuss the recent tax proposals and if they will help to stimulate the sluggish economy. Other topics include corporate corruption and consumer confidence and their major role in influencing the economy.
Contact: Jennifer Dimas, Jennifer.Dimas@colostate.edu, (970) 491-1543.
Rocky Mountain Institute for Biosecurity Research
Colorado State’s recently formed Rocky Mountain Institute for Biosecurity Research establishes an anchor in the West that conducts, coordinates and communicates cutting-edge research to help safeguard homeland security. The center strives to protect animals, plants and humans from intentional or unintentional chemical, biological and radiological crises. The institute, which was established in 2002, marries health, agricultural and environmental research with monitoring strategies and a network of land-grant research universities and state and federal agencies. In addition to conducting and coordinating research, the institute will help disseminate emergency information through the land-grant university system. Hank Gardner, associate vice president for research and information technology at Colorado State, oversees the center. Mark Gill is assistant director of the institute.
Contact: Dell Rae Moellenberg, dellrae.moellenberg@colostate.edu, (970) 491-6009.
Center for Crop Biosecurity
The Center for Crop Biosecurity is currently being developed as a branch of Colorado State’s Rocky Mountain Institute of Biosecurity Research and will provide early detection, rapid diagnosis and response to potential acts of bioterrorism against plants and crops in the Rocky Mountain area and adjacent high plains. Howard Schwartz, co-director for the center, Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management professor and Cooperative Extension specialist, can discuss science that can forecast outbreaks of plant diseases and harmful insects to help protect the United States plant industry from economic devastation that could be caused by bioterrorism. Schwartz also can clarify the impacts of bioterrorism which could economically devastate the country and put pressures on domestic food supplies. In Colorado, annual crop revenue accounts for about $1.5 billion of the state’s income.
Contact: Dell Rae Moellenberg, dellrae.moellenberg@colostate.edu, (970) 491-6009.
Biosecurity Plans for Preventing Infectious Diseases among Livestock Animals
Paul Morley, associate professor of epidemiology and director of biosecurity for Colorado State’s James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital, is an expert on infectious diseases in domestic animals. Morley can discuss how precautionary biosecurity plans for preventing infectious diseases among livestock and other domestic animals should be developed. Infectious diseases among animals can have great economic and social implications within the United States, where animal production and agriculture are great driving forces in the economy.
Contact: Dell Rae Moellenberg, dellrae.moellenberg@colostate.edu, (970) 491-6009.
Understanding Biological Warfare and Chemical Terrorism
Anthony Tu, professor emeritus of biochemistry and internationally renowned toxicology expert, is available to discuss biological warfare, chemical terrorism and protection against toxic substances. Tu recently served as a keynote speaker at the Weapons of Mass Destruction 2002-Protecting the Community Conference in Washington, D.C. In December, he served as a keynote speaker at the Singapore International Symposium on Protection against Toxic Substances and discussed the use of chemicals and toxins as terrorist weapons in the wake of Sept. 11. Within the last year, he also was a featured presenter at the Seventh International Symposium on Protection against Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents in Stockholm and at the Japanese Society of Trauma in Tokyo regarding the prevention of biological weapons. Tu aided Japanese officials in their investigation that linked Aum Shinrikyo with the manufacture and use of sarin and helped convict the sect’s leader for the 1994 Tokyo subway chemical terrorism attack.
Contact: Brad Bohlander, Brad.Bohlander@colostate.edu, (970) 491-1545.
Protecting Water Utilities against Terrorism and Disaster
Neil Grigg, civil engineering professor, water resources consultant and nationally recognized expert in the fields of water resources engineering and urban water systems management, is available to discuss preparing for and responding to disasters to urban water supply systems. Grigg is currently leading an NSF study identifying inefficiencies and vulnerabilities of water supply systems and recently led a group of the nation’s top water utility managers in a symposium focused on assessing water system vulnerability against human-caused and natural disasters. Grigg has authored or co-authored about 200 publications, including several books, about water resources engineering and infrastructure.
Contact: Brad Bohlander, Brad.Bohlander@colostate.edu, (970) 491-1545.
Using Environmental and Weather Data to Support Nation’s Security Efforts
Colorado State’s Center for Geosciences is supporting the nation’s security efforts by providing environmental research to Army, Navy and Air Force scientists. The center, led by Thomas Vonder Haar, a University Distinguished Professor of atmospheric science and director of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, focuses on the study of weather patterns and how they affect military operations. The center recently received a $1.8 million federal grant to enhance its 16-year history of providing research to the Department of Defense. Vonder Haar is available to discuss how U.S. aircraft operations and local area missile defense for the homeland are significantly affected by weather conditions as well as how research at the center is helping to overcome a variety of challenges imposed by weather phenomena.
Contact: Brad Bohlander, Brad.Bohlander@colostate.edu, (970) 491-1545.
Computer Science Enhancing Defense Satellite Systems and Military Night Vision
Colorado State computer scientists have developed a new class of adaptable, low-power computer systems run by a powerful chip called a Field Programmable Gate Array, or FPGA, capable of processing large files at speeds up to 600 times faster than the quickest Pentium chip. For the past four years, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency funded the development of this innovative technology; two projects have been completed that now are being adapted by government labs for defense purposes. The first is a ground-based target recognition system with night vision that automatically detects objects such as enemy tanks and displays results on a screen inside a U.S. military vehicle, describing both what the object is and its position. The second is an automatic target recognition program that allows Air Force satellites to scan images of large land masses and quickly recognize vehicles and facilities for further military observation. The new system recognizes objects about 40 times faster than previous systems.
Contact: Brad Bohlander, Brad.Bohlander@colostate.edu, (970) 491-1545.
How Can Americans Best Cope During this Stressful Year?
Worry and anxiety about potential terrorism danger, a possible war with Iraq and economic uncertainty can cause many Americans to feel anxious, fearful and stressed. Colorado State’s Department of Psychology experts can discuss how sleep, work and daily interaction with family and colleagues are being affected by these stresses and can detail strategies to help Americans cope.
Contact: Brad Bohlander, Brad.Bohlander@colostate.edu, (970) 491-1545.
Helping Children Cope with War
Zeynep Biringen, associate professor of human development and family studies at Colorado State, can discuss how to talk with children about war. Biringen also can address children’s reactions to potentially traumatic experiences, helping children and families cope with trauma in this new era and how to interpret our children’s "voices" with respect to these issues, particularly the voices of infants and the youngest children who also are communicating but in nonverbal ways.
Contact: Jennifer Dimas, Jennifer.Dimas@colostate.edu, (970) 491-1543.