Monday, March 14th, 2005

New York Academy of Sciences, 4th Floor
2 East 63rd Street (just east of Fifth Avenue)
(See RSVP information at bottom of post!!)

News reports of the tsunami have brought into focus how oceanographic and geologic forces contributed to the tsunami, the need for early warning systems, and the impacts on survivors who witnessed it. Although there has been extensive coverage in the lay press, science and medical writers need in-depth analyses from experts to cover this area accurately.

Science Writers in New York will host a panel of science and medical experts:

* Lareef Zubair is a scientist at Sri Lanka Meteorology, Oceanography and Hydrology Network and The Earth Institute at Columbia University. He also maintains several blogs on the tsunami disaster, including (www.geolanka.net) and (www.recoverlanka.net)

* Alan Blumberg is an oceanographer at Stevens Institute of Technology. His areas of expertise include ocean dynamics, predictive and preemptive monitoring of the sea, and real-time data collection and analysis.His web site is http://onr.dl.stevens-tech.edu/webnyhos3/.

* Siddharth Shah is a behavioral science specialist who runs training sessions for journalists and aid workers preparing for work in disaster areas. He has also helped develop behavioral intervention curricula for use in South Asia;

* Randall Marshall heads the trauma services and research division at Columbia University. He is currently involved in relief efforts in Sri Lanka and he was actively involved in trauma efforts post- 911.

Please RSVP to Laura Newman at newman@nasw.org (limited phone calls 212-664-0017, please) by March 7th.

Have check for $20 made out to “SWINY”(this includes Indian hors d’oeuvres and drinks) and it is payable at the door. Food: 6:30 -7 PM. Program: 7pm –8:30 PM.

Your RSVP stands for your agreement to pay, whether you attend or not.

(To get on the mailing list for future events,
follow the instructions here.)