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. 

Jose Ramon Fernandez Pena

Jose Ramon Fernandez Pena

Emeritus Professor of Health Education

Office Phone: (415) 405-0488

Email: jrfp@sfsu.edu

Jose Ramon Fernandez Pena is the nationally recognized founder of the Welcome Back Program, an innovative program that helps medical professionals who immigrate to the U.S. obtain the necessary training and credentials to practice in this country.

Areas of Expertise:

Racial and ethnic disparities in health

Foreign trained health professionals

Health workforce development

Highest Degree:

M.D., National Autonomous University of Mexico


Mariana Ferreira

Mariana Ferreira

Professor of Liberal Studies

Office Phone: (415) 338-2046

Email: mariana@sfsu.edu

Mariana Ferreira is a medical anthropologist who studies the social causes of illnesses — how poverty, violence and displacement affect physical health. Her research includes Type 2 diabetes among indigenous peoples and the distribution of breast cancer in the Bay Area.

Areas of Expertise:

Human rights

Indigenous people's rights

Diabetes among indigenous peoples

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., Medical Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley


Jason Ferreira

Jason Ferreira

Associate Professor and Chair of Race & Resistance Studies

Office Phone: (415) 338-1645

Email: cheo@sfsu.edu

Jason Ferreira's teaching and scholarship focus on the history of radicalism within and across communities of color.

Areas of Expertise:

Race

Racial politics and inequality

Social movements / protests

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., Comparative Ethnic Studies, UC Berkeley


Dawn-Elissa Fischer

Dawn-Elissa Fischer

Associate Professor of Africana Studies

Office Phone: (415) 338-1726

Email: def@sfsu.edu

Dawn-Elissa Fischer teaches courses on international Black popular culture, information technology and visual ethnography. She is an expert in studies of sound, music and social justice in international Black popular culture, including non-Black consumer interest in Black popular culture. Co-director of the Sound and Social Justice Commons, Dr. Fischer is also a founding staff member of Dr. Marcyliena Morgan's Hiphop Archive.

Areas of Expertise:

International Black popular culture

Student success

Graduation/retention strategies

Highest Degree:

PhD, Anthropology, University of Florida


Connie Marie Gaglio

Connie Marie Gaglio

Associate Professor of Management

Office Phone: (415) 338-7490

Email: cmgaglio@sfsu.edu

Connie Marie Gaglio is an expert in entrepreneurship and the identification of opportunities in business and social influences that interact with business opportunity.

Areas of Expertise:

Entrepreneurship

Opportunity recognition

innovation and social influences

Highest Degree:

Ph.D. Psychology, University of Chicago


Marcela García-Castañon

Marcela García-Castañon

Assistant Professor of Political Science

Office Phone: (415) 405-2403

Email: mgcs@sfsu.edu

Marcela García-Castañon is an expert in American politics, Latino politics, immigrant/immigration policy and politics, political communication and methodology. Her research explores notions of membership and citizenship development within immigrant communities and their connection to political and civic engagement. Her current work examines the political membership process of Mexican immigrants in the United States through familial, educational and pre-migration experiences. She has worked in radio and public relations.

Areas of Expertise:

Latino politics

Immigration and immigrant populations

Public opinion and voting behavior

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., University of Washington


Sheldon Gen

Sheldon Gen

Associate Professor of Public Administration

Office Phone: (415) 817-4458

Email: sgen@sfsu.edu

Sheldon Gen is an expert on environmental policymaking at the city, state and federal level, and education policy in San Francisco, particularly teacher attrition rates.

Areas of Expertise:

Environmental policy

Estimating the monetary value of environmental assets

Environmental justice

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology


Gretchen Lynn George

Gretchen Lynn George

Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics

Office Phone: (415) 338-3421

Email: glgeorge@sfsu.edu

My areas of expertise include:
1. Nutrition and weight loss in adolescents
2. Community and nutrition education, wellness
3. Macro and micronutrient metabolism, dietary patterns to reduce cardiovascular disease
4. Impact of the soda tax on the community
5. I have been a Registered Dietician since 2003

Areas of Expertise:

Nutrition and weight loss in adolescents; Community and nutrition education; wellness; Macro and micronutrient metabolism; dietary patterns to reduce cardiovascular disease; impact of soda tax on the community

Highest Degree:

PhD Nutritional Biology with a designated emphasis in the Program in International and Community Nutrition,