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. 

Thomas Parker

Thomas Parker

Professor of Biology

Office Phone: (415) 338-2375

Email: parker@sfsu.edu

Thomas Parker is an expert on the ecology and evolution of shrubs and trees in the Manzanita family, and is an expert on Chaparral, the scrubland vegetation that is common in California.

Areas of Expertise:

Plant ecology

Fire ecology

Manzanita (arctostaphyllus)

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., Ecology, University of California, Santa Barbara


Ellen Peel

Ellen Peel

Professor Emerita of Comparative & World Literature

Office Phone: (415) 338-7036

Email: epeel@sfsu.edu

My areas of expertise include science fiction fantasy, speculative fiction, utopias, literature of the constructed body (robots, clones, vampires, eating disorders, Frankenstein, etc.), women's literature, world literature and literature in English, French, and German and narrative and feminist theory.

Areas of Expertise:

Highest Degree:

Ph.D. Yale University, Comparative Literature


Erik Peper

Erik Peper

Professor of Health Education

Office Phone: (415) 338-7683

Email: epeper@sfsu.edu

Erik Peper is an internationally recognized authority on biofeedback, self-regulation and stress management.

Areas of Expertise:

Repetitive stress injuries

Stress management

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., Psychology, Union Graduate School


Raquel Pinderhughes

Raquel Pinderhughes

Professor of Public Affairs & Civil Engagement

Office Phone: (415) 338-7520

Email: raquelrp@sfsu.edu

Raquel Pinderhughes is an expert on green collar jobs and how green jobs can lift low-income communities out of poverty. Her green collar job training program is being used across the U.S.

Areas of Expertise:

Urban Studies

Environmental planning and policy

Sustainable development

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., Sociology, Graduate Center of New York


Michael Potepan

Michael Potepan

Associate Professor of Economics

Office Phone: (415) 338-2833

Email: mpotepan@sfsu.edu

Michael Potepan is an expert on jobs and employment in the San Francisco Bay Area, including analysis of job markets by industry and occupation.

Areas of Expertise:

Employment and economics in San Francisco

Housing prices

Migration between metropolitan areas

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., Economics, University of California, Davis


Ron Purser

Ron Purser

Professor of Management

Office Phone: (415) 338-2380

Email: rpurser@sfsu.edu

Ron Purser is an expert on organization development, particularly the application of Zen Buddhist mindfulness to management. He is also co-founder of Jazz@Work, a training program that uses jazz to teach managers about creativity, improvisation and innovation.

Areas of Expertise:

Organizational development

Creativity in the workplace

Application of Buddhist mindfulness practices to management

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., organizational behavior, Case Western Reserve University


James Quesada

James Quesada

Associate Professor of Anthropology

Office Phone: (415) 338-1633

Email: jquesada@sfsu.edu

James Quesada is an expert on the social production of disease and distress and has studied the health of day laborers in San Francisco and substance abuse among youth in California.

Areas of Expertise:

Peoples and cultures of Central America

Nicaragua

Cross-cultural racism

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., Medical Anthropology, University of California, San Francisco and Berkeley


Isabel Quita

Isabel Quita

Professor of Elementary Education

Office Phone: (415) 338-3416

Email: quita@sfsu.edu

Isabel Quita is an expert on science curriculum and instruction in elementary schools, particularly the teaching of science in multicultural settings.

Areas of Expertise:

Effective science teaching for English language learners

Informal science education

Use of computers in elementary science teaching

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., Elementary Science Education, University of Illinois