Faculty Experts
From the discovery of new planets to the work of noted criminologists, SF State offers a wide variety of scholars who are the most distinguished in their fields. This directory identifies academics who possess insight and knowledge of diverse subjects and who are willing to work with journalists whenever possible. The faculty experts directory is compiled by the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications.
If you need immediate assistance finding an expert, please call (415) 338-1665 or email pubcom@sfsu.edu.
Hafez Modirzadeh
Professor of Music
Office Phone: (415) 405-0302
Email: fezmo@sfsu.edu
Hafez Modirzadeh is an expert in world music and jazz. An acclaimed saxophonist, Modirzadeh is an expert in ethnomusicology and has continues to develop an interdisciplinary musical approach he calls "Chromodal Discourse." From Tehran to Brown Universities, Chromodal theory has been presented within both musical and scientific academic arenas. Modirzadeh is a fixture on the national and Bay Area music scene and has been awarded two National Endowment for the Arts fellowships.
Areas of Expertise:
World music
Jazz
Cross-cultural aspects of jazz
Highest Degree: Ph.D. Ethnomusicology, Wesleyan University
Carlos Montemayor
Associate Professor of Philosophy
Office Phone: (415) 338-1596
Email: cmontema@sfsu.edu
Carlos Montemayor is an expert in Cognitive Science and the Philosophy of Law.
Areas of Expertise:
Cognitive Science and Neuroscience
Philosophy of Law and Human Rights
Phenomenology
Highest Degree: Ph.D., Philosophy, Rutgers University
John Monteverdi
Professor of Meteorology
Office Phone: (415) 338-7728
Email: montever@sfsu.edu
Areas of Expertise:
Weather analysis and forecasting
California weather and climate
Severe weather
Highest Degree: Ph.D., Climatology, UC Berkeley
Ezequiel Morsella
Professor of Psychology
Office Phone: (415) 405-2198
Email: morsella@sfsu.edu
Ezequiel Morsella is an expert on how the brain uses consciousness to process requests for action and the difference between the conscious and unconscious circuits in the brain.
Areas of Expertise:
Consciousness
Cognition
Working memory
Highest Degree: Ph.D., Psychology, Columbia University
Joanna Moss
Lecturer and Professor Emerita of Economics
Office Phone: (415) 338-7515
Email: jgmoss@sfsu.edu
Joanna Moss is an expert on international economics and globalization.
Areas of Expertise:
Globalization
Macroeconomics
International trade
Highest Degree: Ph.D. Economics, New School for Social Research
Hideo Muranaka
Lecturer of Modern Languages & Literatures
Office Phone: (415) 338-3118
Email: muraoak@pacbell.net
Hideo Muranaka is an expert in Japanese calligraphy and Japanese arts.
Areas of Expertise:
Japanese language
Japanese calligraphy
Japanese art
Highest Degree: M.F.A., Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music
Jacob Needleman
Lecturer and Professor Emeritus of Philosophy
Office Phone: (415) 338-1596
Email: jacob.needleman@gmail.com
Jacob Needleman is a well-known authority on ethics, approaches to religion and American values, ideals and cultural criticism.
Areas of Expertise:
Philosophy of religion
American ideals
American values
Highest Degree: Ph.D., Philosophy, Yale University
Francis Neely
Associate Professor of Political Science
Office Phone: (415) 338-1522
Email: fneely@sfsu.edu
Francis Neely is an expert on American politics and political psychology, including how voters process political information, form attitudes and identify with political parties and candidates.
Areas of Expertise:
Parties and partisanship
Election systems
Instant-runoff voting
Highest Degree: Ph.D., Political Science, State University of New York