EXPERTS ADVISORY

ANN ARBOR—Japan is preparing to mark the third anniversary of the massive quake that triggered a tsunami and nuclear meltdown—the worst atomic disaster since Chernobyl. Japanese society remains deeply divided about nuclear power amid apparent plans by the government to reopen plants shuttered after the triple disaster.

The University of Michigan has a highly ranked nuclear engineering program, and its experts are available to discuss energy policy, reactor safety, health issues and environmental effects. Professors are also available to discuss the political and social issues.

SOCIAL WELFARE

Mieko Yoshihama, professor of social work, can discuss the problem of domestic violence among survivors of the triple disaster. She has done research that documents violence against women and children in the wake of the quake. Yoshihama has also been involved in a “PhotoVoice” project that gives cameras to quake survivors so that they can document scenes from their lives. Contact: 734-647-6255 or mieko@umich.edu. PhotoVoice project: http://bit.ly/1fW3KLw Domestic violence study: http://bit.ly/1fCKKDg

POLITICS

Kenneth McElwain, assistant professor of political science, can discuss the political and economic implications of the nuclear issue. His research interests include public opinion, party/campaign strategy and election analysis. McElwain was a co-editor of the book “Political Change in Japan” (2009). Contact: 734-615-5685 or kmcelwai@umich.edu.

Kiyoteru Tsutsui, associate professor of sociology, can discuss the politics of the nuclear issue and social movements in Japan. His research interests include globalization, impact of global human rights on Japanese politics and the changing discourse around the Asia-Pacific War in Japan. Contact: 734-763-0088 or tsutsui@umich.edu.

REACTOR SAFETY

John Lee, professor of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences, is available to discuss nuclear reactor safety and nuclear reactors in general. He is co-author of Risk and Safety Analysis of Nuclear Systems and his research interests include reactor safety analysis, reactor core physics and design analysis, fuel cycle analysis and power plant simulation and control. Contact: 734-764-9379 or jcl@umich.edu.

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF RADIATION

Kimberlee Kearfott, professor of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences, is available to discuss the health and environmental impacts of radiation. Her research interests include radiation detection in water and soil samples, environmental monitoring, internal radiation dose assessment and radiation safety. Kearfott is also a professor of biomedical engineering and an adjunct professor of radiology. Contact: 734-763-9117 or kearfott@umich.edu.

NUCLEAR ENERGY AND POLITICS

Ronald Gilgenbach, the Chihiro Kikuchi Collegiate Professor and chair of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences, is available to discuss nuclear energy in general as well as political aspects of the disaster in Japan and its effects on U.S. policy. Contact: 734-763-1261 or rongilg@umich.edu.

NUCLEAR REACTORS

Gary Was, professor of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences and materials science and engineering, is available to discuss the basics of reactor systems and performance of reactor materials. His research interests include studying how materials degrade in reactors, the design of advanced reactor systems and nuclear fuels. Contact: 734-763-4675 or gsw@umich.edu.

Bill Martin, professor of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences, is available to discuss nuclear reactors. His research interests include computer simulations for analyzing how nuclear reactions unfold in reactors. Contact: 734-764-5534 or wrm@umich.edu.

EDITORS: U-M has a professional studio and uplink capabilities.

Related Link:

• Check U-M’s interactive map for more information about what faculty are doing in Japan: http://global.umich.edu/worldwide/map