The University of Miami’s name is synonymous with hurricanes – not only for our record-breaking athletic teams, but also for the ground breaking scholarly research being conducted throughout the school. Our innovative approach to studying the development, intensification and lasting effects of tropical cyclones on human beings and our environment has defined us as a global leader in the effort to better understand this weather phenomena. Striving to provide the most advanced and accurate scientific information to our community, faculty members from the University, working in a diverse array of disciplines, are available to answer media questions about these extreme weather phenomena, and other related topics.

Hans C. Graber, Sc.D. Hans C. Graber, Sc.D., is chairman and a professor in the division of applied marine physics at the Rosenstiel School, as well as the co-director of the University’s Center for Southeastern Tropical Advanced Remote Sensing (CSTARS). Dr. Graber also operates a hurricane forecasting model using remotely sensed data that predicts winds, waves and storm surge up to five days in advance. He is currently involved in preparing a large field program dealing with typhoons in the western Pacific. Dr. Graber’s research focuses on radar remote sensing of hurricanes, understanding air-sea interactions and the generation of ocean waves and storm surge.
Phone: (305) 421-4952
E-mail: hgraber@rsmas.miami.edu

Bruce Albrecht, Ph.D., is a professor in the division of meteorology and physical oceanography at the Rosenstiel School. Dr. Albrecht’s research focuses on clouds and climate interactions, tropical meteorology, and remote sensing of clouds and precipitation. Dr. Albrecht is available to discuss research findings on clouds and their role in hurricane development, a phenomenon not well understood and thought to be pivotal in understanding hurricane intensification.
Phone: (305) 421-4043
E-mail: b.albrecht@miami.edu

Shuyi Chen, Ph.D., is a professor in the division of meteorology and physical oceanography at the Rosenstiel School. Dr. Chen’s research addresses tropical meteorology, specifically studying how the atmosphere and ocean interact in tropical cyclones. Additionally, she studies coastal meteorology and employs mathematical modeling as a means for weather prediction. Dr Chen served as the principal investigator for RAINEX, one of the world’s largest airborne hurricane field programs ever. During the active 2005 hurricane season, she flew aboard one of three Doppler-equipped aircraft that flew into hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, collecting valuable information that is helping to create more accurate hurricane prediction models. Dr. Chen is available to discuss hurricane processes, research on intensification and track predictability and tropical weather phenomena.
Phone: (305) 421-4048
E-mail: schen@rsmas.miami.edu

Mark Donelan, Ph.D., is a professor in the division of applied marine physics at the Rosenstiel School. Dr. Donelan studies wave modeling, wave dynamics, air-sea interaction, and wind-stress modeling. His research focuses on understanding how sea-surface interactions with the atmosphere affect hurricane intensity, and the physical processes involving transport across water. Dr. Donelan’s research utilizes the Rosenstiel School’s unique Air-Sea Interaction Saltwater Tank (ASIST), a wind-water tank that simulates extreme wave conditions.
Phone: (305) 421-4717
E-mail: mdonelan@rsmas.miami.edu

William Drennan, Ph.D., is a professor in the division of applied marine physics at the Rosenstiel School. In 2007, he and his team designed and deployed a first-of-its-kind hurricane buoy in “Hurricane Alley,” and participated in a number of hurricane studies. Dr. Drennan is available to discuss air-sea interaction, boundary layers, surface gravity waves and turbulence.
Phone: (305) 421-4798
E-mail: wdrennan@rsmas.miami.edu

Brian Haus, Ph.D., associate professor in the division of applied marine physics at the Rosenstiel School who studies wave-current interactions, and shelf and estuary dynamics using radar remote sensing techniques. Dr. Haus’ hurricane research involves studies of the air-sea coupling in very high winds. In particular using the Rosenstiel School’s Air-Sea Interaction Saltwater Tank (ASIST), to investigate the effects of wave breaking and spray on the air-sea interface.
Phone: (305) 421-4932
E-mail: bhaus@rsmas.miami.edu

Sharan Majumdar, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of meteorology and physical oceanography at the Rosenstiel School. His research focuses on improving analyses and predictions of hurricanes and typhoons, via the intelligent use of satellite and aircraft observations in numerical weather prediction models.Dr. Majumdar has flown on several ‘Hurricane Hunter’ aircraft and is an expert on the state of hurricane forecasting and how researchers and their methods are helping to improve hurricane prediction.
Phone: (305) 421-4779
E-mail: smajumdar@rsmas.miami.edu

David Nolan, Ph.D., associate professor in meteorology and physical oceanography at the Rosenstiel School studies the fundamental mechanics of hurricanes – how they work, what causes the rapid changes in hurricane intensity, and how the frequency and intensity of hurricanes may (or may not) change with a changing climate.
Phone: (305) 421-4930
Email: dnolan@rsmas.miami.edu

Lynn K. (Nick) Shay, Ph.D., professor of meteorology and physical oceanography, studies the impact of the upper ocean conditions, such as the Loop Current, on hurricane intensity changes. A field program is planned in summer 2009 with NOAA, NSF, MMS, USAF Reserve and the US Navy to deploy profilers, floats and drifters in the Gulf of Mexico prior, during and subsequent to hurricane passage. These data are used to improve coupled ocean-atmosphere models under development at National Center for Environmental Prediction and satellite-derived products such as altimeter-derived Oceanic Heat Content, which is used as a parameter in the Statistical Hurricane Intensity Prediction Scheme for forecasting at the National Hurricane Center (See the webpage: http://isotherm.rsmas.miami.edu/heat).
Phone: (305) 421-4075
E-mail: nshay@rsmas.miami.edu

Brian Soden, Ph.D., professor of meteorology and physical oceanography at the Rosenstiel School, uses observations and computer models to study the effects of natural and human-caused climate change on hurricane activity. His collaborations with Dr. Gabe Vecchi at NOAA’s Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory in Princeton, N.J. have delivered groundbreaking climatological models and information on wind shear and hurricane intensity.
Phone: (305) 421-4202
Email: bsoden@rsmas.miami.edu

Robert Walko, Ph.D., is a senior scientist in the division of meteorology and physical oceanography at the Rosenstiel School. Dr. Walko specializes in the development, improvement, and application of atmospheric models that are used to simulate and predict a wide range of atmospheric phenomena, including hurricanes. He recently developed the OLAM model, which uses advanced techniques for representing storm systems in high detail within the global atmospheric system. Hurricane simulations and forecasts performed with OLAM help us to better understand hurricane behavior, and also provide valuable information that is used to improve atmospheric models. Dr. Walko is available to discuss atmospheric modeling in general and in application to hurricanes.
Phone: (305) 421-4704
E-mail: rwalko@rsmas.miami.edu

Leonel Sternberg, Ph.D., is a professor of biology in the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Stenberg studies the impact of climate change in several ecosystems. In Florida, he studies the effect of hurricane surges and sea level rise on coastal communities.
Phone: (305) 284-6436
E-mail: l.sternberg@miami.edu

Yunqui (Daniel) Wang, Ph.D., is a lecturer in the department of biology. Dr. Wang studies the genetic structure of South Florida’s slash pine population using polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers. Slash pines are a keystone species of the Everglades pine and rockland community, one of the most endangered forest types in the world. Dr. Wang’s work to characterize the genetic relationships among the remaining pineland population and identify genetically diverse seed sources, are critical steps in the race to restore pine rocklands before a major hurricane hits South Florida. 
Phone: (305) 284-4181
E-mail: yunqui@miami.edu

Diego Lirman, Ph. D., is a research assistant professor in marine biology and fisheries at the Rosenstiel School, who helped launch a coral nursery in Biscayne National Park to help rescue ‘orphaned’ corals. Dr. Lirman has conducted extensive research on the physical impacts of hurricanes and tropical storms on coral reefs and the sea grass communities of South Florida.
Phone: (305) 421-4168
Email: dlirman@rsmas.miami.edu

Peter Ortner, Ph.D., J.D., is a research professor in marine biology and fisheries at the Rosenstiel School. He studies the effects of hurricanes on coastal ecosystems, in particular Florida Bay and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Dr. Ortner has experience in a number of recovery efforts in the Gulf of Mexico and has served on various federal advisory committees associated with ecosystem management, including the Everglades Restoration effort.
Phone: (305) 421-4619
Email: portner@rsmas.miami.edu

Robert Cowen, Ph.D., is chairman and a Maytag Ichthyology professor in the division of marine biology and fisheries. His research centers on larval fish ecology, fisheries oceanography and ichthyology. He has worked extensively on the biological and physical oceanographic processes affecting the retention and transport of larval fishes, in terms of examining larval dynamics, population replenishment and population connectivity in marine fishes. Dr. Cowen has experience in both reef-related and open ocean environments throughout the Caribbean, along the East Coast of the United States, California and Mexico.
Phone: (305) 421- 4023
Email: rcowen@rsmas.miami.edu

David Kelly, Ph.D., is an associate professor of Economics in the School of Business. He focuses on designing policy related to climate change and measuring the impact of climate change on the U.S. economy. Dr. Kelly’s research interests are in the area of economic costs and benefits of environmental policy, especially climate change and growth, environmental policy in developing countries and environmental regulation.
Phone: (305) 284-3725
E-mail: dkelly@miami.edu

David Letson, Ph.D., is a professor of marine affairs and policy at the Rosenstiel School with a secondary appointment in the UM Department of Economics. Dr. Letson studies the economics of extreme weather and climate variations, to effect thoughtful resource management and policy. He recently testified before the Florida legislature on windstorm insurance, as a Council of Economic Advisors member of Florida TaxWatch.
Phone: (305) 421-4083
E-mail: dletson@rsmas.miami.edu

Denis Hector, R.A. LEED AP., is an associate dean of the School of Architecture.  He has investigated issues related to natural hazards and the built environment since Hurricane Andrew in 1992.  He produced Hurricane Hazard Mitigation, edited with Beth Dunlop, in which he outlines a "Five-Point Disaster Plan” and participated in the Mississippi Renewal Forum charrette after Hurricane Katrina. He is available to discuss how buildings, bridges, and other structures respond in hurricane conditions.
Phone: (305) 284-2322
E-mail: dhector@miami.edu

Aristides J. Millas, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the School of Architecture. He is co-author of Coral Gables, Miami Riviera: An Architectural Guide and Old Miami Beach: A Case Study in Historic Preservation, July 1976-July 1980.Dr. Millas is a specialist on Miami’s architectural history and is available to discuss how Miami’s buildings have weathered hurricanes in the past.
Phone: (305) 284-5181
E-mail: amillas@miami.edu

Helena Solo – Gabriele, Ph.D., is a professor of environmental engineering within the College of Engineering, as well as co-principal investigator of the NSF/NIEHS Center for Oceans and Human Health at the Rosenstiel School. Dr. Solo-Gabriele’s research covers microbes in ocean water, water flows within the Everglades watershed, and metals in pressure treated wood. Post Hurricane Katrina, she and her team conducted extensive fieldwork on water quality in New Orleans.
Phone: (305) 284-2908
E-mail: hmsolo@miami.edu

Ronald Zollo, Ph. D., professor of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering in the College of Engineering. Dr. Zollo can talk about the effect of strong hurricane winds on buildings and structures. He is active on several national committees of ACI and ASTM specializing in structural engineering and construction materials engineering, including disaster events and loadings, structural and materials testing, design and analysis.
Phone: (305) 284-3490
E-mail: rzollo@eng.miami.edu

Traci Ardren, Ph.D., is an associate professor, department of Anthropology, in the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Ardren is an anthropological archaeologist with expertise on hurricane damage in ancient coastal communities. She has conducted excavations on the west coast of Florida, at the Audubon House in Key West, at a Mississippian period site in Kentucky, and at Maya cities in Belize and Mexico. She is an expert on New World prehistoric cultures, gender, iconography, architecture and other forms of symbolic representation in the archaeological record.
Phone: (305) 284-2535
E-mail: tardren@miami.edu

Laurence S. Kalkstein, Ph.D., is a research professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ department of Geography and Regional Studies. Dr. Kalkstein specializes in bioclimatology, climate and human health, and climate indices. His research deals with heat-health and watch-warning systems for cities around the world, and has been involved in the development of various weather indices for use in applied climatological analysis. Dr. Kalkstein serves as president of the International Society of Biometeorology, and is a key leader on the World Meteorological Organization’s expert team on extreme weather and human health.
Phone: (305) 284-3134
E-mail: larryk@miami.edu

Peter Muller, Ph.D., is a professor of geography in the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Muller is an urban geographer with interests in the geography of suburbanization, urban structural transformation and the management of international urban problems. He is available to discuss where hurricanes occur, and how different cultures handle them, as well as the impacts hurricanes have on urban planning and development along coastlines.
Phone: (305) 284-6678
E-mail: pmuller@miami.edu

Ira Sheskin, Ph.D., is an associate professor of geography in the College of Arts and Sciences.   Dr. Sheskin is a human geographer with interests in ethnic geography (particularly American Jews), the Middle East, quantitative methods, and urban geography. From 2002-2006, he conducted six studies of the impact of hurricanes on the tourism industry for VISIT FLORIDA.
 Phone: (305) 284-6693
E-mail: jsheskin@miami.edu

John Wang, Ph.D., is a professor of applied marine physics and ocean engineering, at the Rosenstiel School. Dr. Wang studies the flow of water in coastal areas and is an expert on storm surges and related flooding. He is available to discuss the fundamental dynamics of beach erosion.
Phone: (305) 421-4648
E-mail: j.wang@miami.edu

Alan Delamater, Ph.D., is a professor of pediatrics and psychology, and a pediatric psychologist at the UM Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Delamater is an expert on how to help children and their parents cope with stress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and parenting issues.
Phone: (305) 243-6857
Email: a.delamater@miami.edu

Pamela Deroian, Ph.D., is the director of the Student Counseling Center at the University of Miami. Dr. Deroian is an expert in treating post-traumatic stress disorder and has counseled individuals, families, businesses and employees following both Hurricanes Andrew and Hugo. Dr. Deroian is available to discuss the psychological impacts of hurricanes.
Phone: (305) 284-5511
Email: pderoian@miami.edu

Annette M. La Greca, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology and director of clinical training at the University of Miami. Her research focuses on peer relations, anxiety, and coping skills in children and adolescents. Dr. La Greca’s research team documented the effects of post-traumatic stress in children following Hurricane Andrew, and assessed children’s reactions to Hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Jeanne to evaluate methods for mediating these reactions over time. Dr. La Greca has authored several publications designed to understand children’s reactions to natural disasters, and disseminates information on how to help children cope in the aftermath of disasters. She has also developed several manuals for school personnel, counselors and parents on related topics.
Phone: (305) 284-5222
Email: alagreca@miami.edu

Eugene Provenzo, Ph.D., is a professor in the School of Education. Dr. Provenzo authored Hurricane Andrew, The Public Schools, and Rebuilding of Community (State University of New York Press), an ethnographic study of the recovery of three schools after Hurricane Andrew, and In the Eye of Hurricane Andrew (University Press of Florida) an oral history of the impact of Hurricane Andrew on the South Florida community. Dr. Provenzo’s extensive website on Hurricane Andrew can be found at: http://digital.library.miami.edu/andrew/. He is an expert on the role of schools and educators in helping people cope with natural disasters, as well as the effect of hurricanes on local communities.
Phone: (305) 284-5102
Email: provenzo@miami.edu