Energy Security Policy Initiative

WHO WE ARE

The ISS' Energy Security Policy Initiative brings together a diverse group of experts within the UNLV community as well recognized domestic and international experts to produce and disseminate thoughtful research and analysis. This community of experts provides considerable depth and breadth of knowledge and experience to the complex issue of energy security. Heading the Initiative is Dr. Nancy Brune, current Director of Research and Outreach at the ISS. Dr. Brune has a strong background in quantitative and policy analysis and research, and is currently researching the impact of the recent nationalization of companies by foreign governments on energy policies and global energy security. Dr. Brune received her Ph.D. from Yale University and a M.P.P and B.A from Harvard University.

Dr. Jack Caravelli, a senior adviser to the Initiative, is one of America’s leading experts on nonproliferation and nuclear terrorism, in addition to military strategy, intelligence and energy security. Previously, Dr. Caravelli worked at the U.S. Department of Energy, first as a Deputy Assistant Secretary, and later as Senior Adviser to the Secretary of Energy for Threat Reduction Programs. Dr. Caravelli also held the position of Director for Nonproliferation on the White House National Security Council (NSC), where he was the president's principal advisor for nonproliferation policies and programs involving Russia and the Middle East. The author of several articles, Dr. Caravelli’s most recent book is entitled Nuclear Insecurity (2008). Dr. Caravelli received B.S., M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Georgetown University.

The Energy Security Policy Initiative is advised by two members of UNLV’s outstanding faculty. Serving as a senior advisor is Dr. Oliver Hemmers, Executive Director, Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies at UNLV. Dr. Hemmers has written about and conducted research in the areas of optimization of biodiesel production processes; material science regarding long-term nuclear waste storage and hydrogen fuel storage; and new materials for renewable energy research. He has received numerous research and project grants. Dr. Hemmers received his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Berlin.

In addition, the Initiative receives the support of Dr. Dennis Pirages, Dean’s Professor of Government, Department of Political Science, UNLV. Dr. Pirages is particularly interested in the intersection of sustainability, conflict, and energy. He is the co-author of Ecological Security: An Evolutionary Perspective on Globalization (2004) and From Resource Scarcity to Ecological Security: Exploring New Limits to Growth (2005). Prior to coming to UNLV, Dr. Pirages was the Harrison Professor of International Environmental Politics at the University of Maryland. Dr. Pirages has authored more than a dozen books and over fifty articles and book chapters in the areas of sustainability, energy security, human security, globalization, environmental policy, infectious disease and pandemics, science and technology, and global futures, and has received numerous grants. He received his Ph.D. from Stanford University.