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.
Marc Stein
Professor of History
Office Phone: (415) 338-2982
Email: marcs@sfsu.edu
Marc Stein, the Jaime and Phyllis Pasker endowed chair in history, is an expert on constitutional law, social movements, and gender, race and sexuality. He is the author of "Rethinking the Gay and Lesbian Movement" (2012), "Sexual Injustice: Supreme Court Decisions from Griswold to Roe" (2010) and "City of Sisterly and Brotherly Loves: Lesbian and Gay Philadelphia" (2000). Stein is also the editor-in-chief of the three-volume "Encyclopedia of LGBT History in America" (2003).
Areas of Expertise:
History of sexuality in the United States
Gay, lesbian and queer history
U.S. constitutional law
Highest Degree: Ph.D., History, University of Pennsylvania
Gaurav Suri
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Office Phone: (415) 338-2167
Email: suri@sfsu.edu
Gaurav Suri is an experimental psychologist and a computational modeler who studies the brain mechanisms that shape motivated actions and decision making. He is the director of the Readiness, Activation and Decision-making Laboratory (RADLab) at SF State and teaches undergraduate courses in social psychology, neuro-economics, regression theory and decision making.
Areas of Expertise:
Decision making and psychological inertia
Neuroscience
Emotion and emotion regulation
Highest Degree: Ph.D., Stanford University
Dean Suzuki
Professor of Music
Office Phone: (415) 338-1065
Email: dsuzuki@sfsu.edu
Dean Suzuki produces and hosts "Discreet Music," a radio program featuring experimental, unusual and obscure music on KPFA-FM in Berkeley. As a music critic and journalist, he contributes to several publications, including Musicworks, Progression, Expose and Goldmine, among others.
Areas of Expertise:
Experimental classical music
Contemporary pop music
Experimental rock music
Highest Degree: Ph.D., Musicology, University of Southern California
David Tabb
Professor Emeritus of Political Science
Office Phone: (415) 338-2736
Email: dtabb@sfsu.edu
David Tabb is an expert on national politics, particularly Latino politics and voting patterns. He can also comment on the role of the media and the internet on political campaigns and voter turnout.
Areas of Expertise:
U.S. politics
California politics
Latino politics and voting patterns
Highest Degree: Ph.D., Political Science, University of North Carolina
Charlotte Tate
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Office Phone: (415) 338-2267
Email: ctate2@sfsu.edu
Tate is an expert on gender identity, especially transgender spectrum experiences; sexual orientation and identity; and racial and ethnic identity in the United States; as well as prejudice and discrimination regarding gender, sexual orientation and racial categories.
Areas of Expertise:
Gender identity
Sexual orientation/identity
Racial and ethnic identity in the U.S.
Highest Degree: Ph.D., Social/Personal Psychology, University of Oregon
Patrick Tierney
Professor of Recreation, Parks and Tourism
Office Phone: (415) 405-0311
Email: ptierney@sfsu.edu
Patrick Tierney is an expert on the economics of eco-tourism and sustainable travel and resort development.
Areas of Expertise:
Eco-tourism and sustainable travel
Tourism marketing
Trends in travel
Highest Degree: Ph.D., Recreation Resources, Colorado State University
Jassen Todorov
Professor of Music
Office Phone: (415) 338-7760
Email: todorov@sfsu.edu
Jassen Todorov is a world-renowned violinist, having performed on stages around the world. Born in Bulgaria, at 26 Todorov became the youngest musician to record all six violin sonatas of Eugene Ysaye. Off the stage, Todorov is an avid pilot, holding a commercial pilot's license.
Areas of Expertise:
Violin
Music theory
Music history
Highest Degree: D.M.A., Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York
Andrei Tsygankov
Professor of International Relations
Office Phone: (415) 338-7493
Email: andrei@sfsu.edu
Andrei Tsygankov is an expert on Russian politics and the relationship between Russia and the west.
Areas of Expertise:
Russian foreign policy
Russian-American relations
Former Soviet Union
Highest Degree: Ph.D., International Relations, University of Southern California