Texas A&M Releases Updated 2018 Hurricane Experts Guide

Sep 14, 2018

The 2018 hurricane season begins June 1 and Texas A&M University has nearly 40 faculty experts available to discuss every aspect of hurricanes from early formation, recovery and resilience and more until the season ends Nov. 30.

In this guide, media will find important information for not only experts, but research institutes, helpful web-based tools, databases and a central point of contact for Texas A&M University inquiries regarding hurricane preparedness and response.

An interactive PDF version of this guide is available for download.

Important Online Resources and Contacts

  • TEXAS TASK FORCE ONE
    An elite, highly trained and highly specialized group trained in disasters and terrorism. It can be mobilized within hours and is equipped to remain on 24-hour duty for days at a time.
    Contact: Jeff Saunders (979) 458-6800 | jeff.saunders@teexmail.tamu.edu
  • THE TEXAS COASTAL PLANNING ATLAS
    Detailed geographic information that assists in providing guidance in decision-making, policy, and planning for Texans living in this 18-county coastal region.
  • BUYERS B-WHERE
    Enter a street address and receive a graphic and statistical risk assessment for a specific property. Comprehensive, easy to understand information delivered on-the-fly will provide a critical resource for existing and future property owners interested in making sound and safe investment decisions.
  • TEXAS EXTENSION DISASTER EDUCATION NETWORK (EDEN)
    The Hurricane Resources website is available to the public. The site has links to information about both preand post-storm needs. Topics include general safety, food, people with special needs, health issues, restoring the home, financial recovery, and care for trees, pets and other animals, and septic systems.
    Contact: Andy Vestal (979) 862-3013 | t-vestal@tamu.edu; Joyce Cavanagh (979) 845-3850 | jacavanagh@tamu.edu
  • HAZARD REDUCTION & RECOVERY CENTER
    Established at Texas A&M University in 1988, the HRRC is an interdisciplinary collaborative effort focused on hazard analysis, emergency preparedness and response, disaster recovery, and hazard mitigation. Researchers study the full range of natural disasters and technological hazards.
  • TEXAS COMMUNITY WATERSHED PARTNERS PROGRAM (TCWP)
    The TCWP provides education and outreach to local governments and citizens on the impacts of land use on watershed health and water quality.

DIVISION OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Members of the news team can assist in seeking additional experts and fielding additional questions from media. (979) 845-4641; tamunews@tamu.edu

How Hurricanes Form

  • JOHN NIELSEN-GAMMON
    Regents Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, Texas A&M University College of Geosciences

     

    • Nielsen-Gammon serves as Texas State Climatologist and is an expert on severe storms, how hurricanes form, the history of Texas hurricanes, rapid formation of hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and the history of severe storms and hurricanes in the past 100 years.
    • Contact: (979) 862-2248; n-g@tamu.edu
  • TIM LOGAN
    Instructional Assistant Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, Texas A&M University College of Geosciences

     

    • Logan is an expert in severe storms, the formation of storms and lightning, and the damage caused by severe storms and hurricanes.
    • Contact: (979) 845-2004; tlogan52@tamu.edu
  • COURTNEY SCHUMACHER
    Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, Texas A&M University College of Geosciences

     

    • Schumacher is an expert in tropical meteorology, large mesoscale convective systems, radar meteorology, and mesoscale-climate interactions.
    • Contact: (979) 845-5522; cschu@tamu.edu
  • ROBERT KORTY
    Associate Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, Texas A&M University College of Geosciences

     

    • Korty is an expert on how hurricanes affect oceans and how climate affects hurricanes.
    • Contact: (979) 847-9090; korty@tamu.edu

Structural and Water Damage to Offshore Structures

  • JEAN LOUIS BRIAUD
    University Distinguished Professor of Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University College of Engineering

     

    • Briaud is an expert in erosion and “scour,” the remains of buildings damaged by seawater.
    • He also is proficient in how water sweeps away materials or bridges and soil compaction in levees.
    • Contact: (979) 862-2248 | briaud@tamu.edu
  • RICK MERCIER
    Professor of Engineering, Texas A&M University College of Engineering; Director, Offshore Technology Research Center

     

    • Mercier is an expert in off-shore drilling platforms, hurricane damage to oil rigs or any deep water off-shore structure, and oil rigs cut off from production.
    • Contact: (979) 845-6000; rsmercier@tamu.edu
  • BRENT MCROBERTS
    Research Assistant Professor of Geography, Texas A&M University College of Geosciences

     

    • McRoberts is an expert in power outage prediction modeling, which gives forecasts of how many utility customers will lose power during and after a hurricane.
    • Contact: (979) 845-6075; mcrobert@tamu.edu

Environmental and Ecosystem Effects of Hurricanes

  • SHARI YVON-LEWIS
    Head and Professor of Chemical Oceanography,  Texas A&M University College of Geosciences

     

    • Yvon-Lewis and is a chemical oceanography and biogeochemistry expert who has conducted extensive post-hurricane research in Galveston Bay and has a thorough dataset of Bay water quality data before and after the hurricane.
    • Contact: (979) 458-1816; syvon-lewis@ocean.tamu.edu
  • ANTHONY KNAP
    Director, Geochemical and Environmental Research Group (GERG); Professor of Oceanography, Texas A&M University College of Geosciences

     

    • Knap is an expert in effects of contaminants on marine environments, ocean health and human health interactions. He also co-leads the Texas A&M Superfund.
    • Contact: (979) 458-9328; tknap@tamu.edu
  • JASON SYLVAN
    Oceanography Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University College of Geosciences

     

    • Sylvan is well-versed in the short-term and long-term effects of hurricanes on environments and ecosystems, including coral reefs.
    • Contact: (979) 845-5105; jasonsylvan@tamu.edu
  • LISA CAMPBELL
    Professor of Oceanography, Texas A&M University College of Geosciences

     

    • Campbell is an expert in biological oceanography, phytoplankton ecology, harmful algal blooms and is well-versed in the effects hurricanes can have on ecosystems.
    • Contact: (979) 845-5706; lisacampbell@tamu.edu
  • ROBIN AUTENRIETH
    Professor and Head of the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University College of Engineering

     

    • Autenrieth is an expert in water cleanup, environmental damage of waters from hurricanes and floods, and contaminated water and the many problems it poses.
    • Contact: (979) 845-2438; rautenrieth@civil.tamu.edu

Hurricane Effects on Animals and Pets

  • BILL MOYER
    Professor and Head of Large Animal Clinical Services, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

     

    • Moyer was put in charge of converting Texas A&M’s Large Animal Hospital into special human needs hospital that served hundreds of elderly and special needs patients during Hurricane Rita. He will take a similar leadership role if such plans are needed again.
    • Contact: (979) 845-9127; wmoyer@cvm.tamu.edu
  • WESLEY BISSETT
    Associate Professor of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

     

    • Bissett is an expert on displaced pets, pets relocating to unfamiliar areas, pets facing isolation and separation anxiety, etc.
    • Contact: (979) 845-3541; wbissett@cvm.tamu.edu
  • GARRY ADAMS
    Senior Professor of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

     

    • Adams is well-versed on numerous public health issues, diseases stemming from disasters and treatment strategies for dealing with large numbers of injured or sick animals.
    • Contact: (979) 845-9816; gadams@cvm.tamu.edu
  • MURL BAILEY
    Professor of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

     

    • Bailey is an expert on zoonotic diseases (those passed from animals to humans) and problems that can arise if this occurs.
    • Contact: (979) 845-5976; m-bailey@tamu.edu
  • DEB ZORAN
    Professor of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

     

    • Zoran is an expert on displaced pets, pets relocating to unfamiliar areas, pets facing isolation and separation anxiety, etc.
    • Contact: (979) 845-2351; dzoran@cvm.tamu.edu

Personal, Societal and Social Aspects of Hurricanes

  • STEPHEN MAREN
    Professor of Psychology, Texas A&M University College of Liberal Arts

     

    • Maren’s research includes neural systems for emotion, learning, and memory as well as contextual regulation of memory encoding and retrieval, and fear, anxiety, and PTSD.
    • Contact: (979)-458-7960; maren@tamu.edu
  • STJEPAN MESTROVIC
    Professor of Sociology, Texas A&M University College of Liberal Arts
    Mestrovic serves as an expert in social order (or lack of it) and lawlessness in times of crises.
    Contact: (979) 845-6121
    mestrovic@tamu.edu
  • ANGELA CLENDENIN
    Instructional Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University School of Public Health

     

    • Clendenin has served as the public information offer for the Veterinary Emergency Team and has expertise in risk communication and emergency management.
    • Contact: (979) 436-0613; hshive@tamhsc.edu
  • NATALIE JOHNSON
    Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University School of Public Health

     

    • Johnson studies the effects of air pollution on pregnant women and their babies, and she has looked at the effects post-hurricane emissions of potentially dangerous chemicals may have on this population.
    • Contact: (979) 436-0613; hshive@tamhsc.edu

Beach Erosion

  • WILLIAM MERRELL
    Professor and Head of the Department of Marine Sciences, Texas A&M University Galveston Campus

     

    • Merrell serves on the City of Galveston Hurricane Task Force.
    • He is also an expert on beach and shoreline erosion, effects of hurricanes on the entire shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico and proponent of the “Ike Dike,” a coastal surge suppression barrier for the Houston/ Galveston area, based on a similar project in the Netherlands.
    • Contact: (409) 740-4732; merrellw@tamug.edu

Coastal Infrastructure and Ecosystems

  • SAMUEL BRODY
    Professor and Head of Marine Sciences, Texas A&M University Galveston Campus

     

    • Brody directs the Institute for Sustainable Coastal Communities (ISCC) and the Center for Texas Beaches and Shores (CTBS), headquartered at Texas A&M at Galveston.
    • Brody helps conserve and protect the Texas shoreline, bays and waterways. He prepares coastal communities to absorb, adapt and respond to hurricanes, coastal storms and flooding.
    • Contact: (409) 741-4076; sbrody@tamu.edu
  • IGNACIO RODRIGUEZ-ITURBE
    Distinguished University Professor and Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Distinguished Research Professor, Texas A&M University Department of Ocean Engineering

     

    • Rodriguez-Iturbe studies coastal ecosystems and the challenges they pose to coastal cities and communities.
    • Contact: (979) 845-3141; irodriguez@ocen.tamu.edu

Warning Systems and Evacuation

  • JOHN COOPER
    Associate Professor of Practice, Texas A&M University College of Architecture, Urban Planning; Outreach Coordinator, Hazard Reduction & Recovery Center and the Center for Housing and Urban Development

     

    • Cooper’s areas of interest include principles of inclusive planning and plan quality.
    • His research and outreach focus on emergency management, disaster planning and mitigation with a primary focus on socially vulnerable populations and communities.
    • Contact: (979) 862-2272, jcooper@arch.tamu.edu
  • WALTER GILLIS PEACOCK
    Director, Hazard Reduction & Recovery Center; Professor of Urban Planning, Texas A&M University College of Architecture

     

    • His research has focused on evacuation, restoration and long-term recovery from disasters, disaster mitigation and resilience.
    • Contact: (979) 845-7853; peacock@tamu.edu
  • GEORGE O. ROGERS
    Senior fellow, Hazard Reduction & Recovery Center; Director, Urban and Regional Science Graduate Program; Professor, Texas A&M University College of Architecture

     

    • Rogers’ research has focused on warning systems, risk perception and sustainable development.
    • Contact: (979) 845-7284; grogers@tamu.edu

Recovery and Sustainable Development

  • SHANNON VAN ZANDT
    Director, Master of Urban Planning program; Associate Professor, Texas A&M University College of Architecture; Director, Center for Housing and Urban Development; Fellow, Hazard Reduction & Recovery Center; Director, Master of Urban Planning Program

     

    • Van Zandt’s areas of interest include post-disaster housing recovery, social vulnerability, community resilience and hazards mitigation.
    • Contact: (979) 458-1233; svanzandt@tamu.edu
  • SHERRY BAME
    Professor, Texas A&M University College of Architecture; Fellow, Hazard Reduction & Recovery Center

     

    • Bame has a special interest in health systems planning and policy, environmental health, and health-related disaster planning, particularly related to 211 call centers and unmet needs.
    • Contact: (979) 845-8406; bame@tamu.edu
  • ERIC BARDENHAGEN
    Professor, Texas A&M University College of Architecture; Fellow, Hazard Reduction & Recovery Center

     

    • Bardenhagen’s interests include natural and cultural resource planning, natural hazards and disaster planning for national parks.
    • Contact: (979) 458-3414; bardenhagen@tamu.edu

Hurricanes, Marine Life and Seafood

  • ANDREW ROPICKI
    Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Texas Sea Grant Marine Economics Extension Specialist

     

    • Ropicki can comment on assessments of storm impacts on fishing infrastructure (vessels, docks, processing equipment, etc.) and on sessile fisheries (oysters).
    • Contact: (361) 825-6210; andrew.ropicki@ag.tamu.edu
  • LAURA PICARIELLO
    Texas Sea Grant Extension Fisheries Specialist Corpus Christi

     

    • Picariello has experience working with commercial fisheries, both in Texas and across the Gulf of Mexico.
    • Contact: (361) 825-6210; lpicadilly@gmail.com

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DIVISION OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS: Members of the news team can assist in seeking additional experts and fielding additional questions from media. (979) 845-4641; tamunews@tamu.edu