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. 

Wei Ming Dariotis

Wei Ming Dariotis

Associate Professor of Asian American Studies

Office Phone: (415) 338-3494

Email: dariotis@sfsu.edu

Wei Ming Dariotis is an expert on political and social issues involving Asian American mixed race and heritage and interracial relationships, and Asian American literary and cultural studies.

Areas of Expertise:

Asian American literature

Art and film

Critical mixed race studies

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., English Literature, University of California, Santa Barbara


Juanita Darling

Juanita Darling

Associate Professor of International Relations

Office Phone: (415) 405-3492

Email: juanitad@sfsu.edu

Juanita Darling is an expert on the relationship between media and society in Latin and South America and the role of media in social uprisings and independence movements.

Areas of Expertise:

Latin America and South America

U.S – Latin America relations

Mass media

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., Mass Communication, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill


Jerry Davis

Jerry Davis

Professor and Chair of Geography & Environment

Office Phone: (415) 338-2983

Email: jerry@sfsu.edu

Jerry Davis is an expert on geomorphology (the formation of landforms) and the interactions among soil, vegetation and river channels that form landscape. He is also an expert on the use of GPS and GIS in data collection and analysis of landscape and erosion.

Areas of Expertise:

Geomorphology

Watershed restoration

Natural resource management

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., Geography, University of Georgia


Gail Dawson

Gail Dawson

Associate Dean of the College Liberal & Creative Arts

Office Phone: (415) 338-3118

Email: gdawson@sfsu.edu

Gail Dawson is an expert in painting and new media. Dawson's work explores the interference of media with images, and time and motion. She works between mediums translating video to paintings and drawings, and paintings and drawings to video. Her work can be seen at her webpage linked below.

Areas of Expertise:

Painting

Drawing

New media

Highest Degree:

M.F.A. Painting, University of Texas, Austin


Stephen John de la Cruz

Stephen John de la Cruz

Lecturer, Communication Studies

Office Phone: (415) 338-1597

Email: sdlc@sfsu.edu

Areas of Expertise:

Criminal Law

Civil Law

Constitutional Law

Highest Degree:

J.D., University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law


Brian De Vries

Brian De Vries

Professor Emeritus of Gerontology

Office Phone: (415) 338-3559

Email: bdevries@sfsu.edu

Brian De Vries is an internationally known expert on bereavement and end of life issues and gay and lesbian aging.

Areas of Expertise:

Loss of spouses

Aging

LGBT end of life issues

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., Lifespan and Social Development, University of British Columbia


Dennis Desjardin

Dennis Desjardin

Professor of Biology

Office Phone: (415) 338-2439

Email: ded@sfsu.edu

Dennis Desjardin is an expert on the evolution and biodiversity of fungi species and has discovered more than 200 new fungi species, including luminescent mushrooms.

Areas of Expertise:

Mycology (study of fungi)

Mushroom taxonomy

Toxic mushrooms

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., Botany, University of Tennessee


Jane DeWitt

Jane DeWitt

Associate Dean of Academic Planning

Office Phone: (415) 338-1895

Email: dewitt@sfsu.edu

The research in Jane DeWitt's laboratory focuses on understanding the mechanisms of heavy metal accumulation and transformation in higher plant systems from a chemical and molecular perspective. The goals of this research are to determine the change in speciation (oxidation state, geometry, coordination environment) that occurs upon accumulation of the metals by plants and to identify the biomolecules involved in metal complexation, thus providing insight into mechanisms of heavy metal tolerance in plants.

Areas of Expertise:

Bioremediation of chemical contaminants using plants

Heavy-metal accumulation in plants

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., Chemistry, Stanford University