advisor
  Vladimir Knapp, Ph.D.

Dr. Vladimir Knapp has devoted the majority of his scientific life to the study of nuclear physics and of safe development of nuclear energy. However, since his retirement from the academic world, responding to the needs of his country, Dr. Knapp has become devoted to finding safer and faster methods for de-mining. De-mining has been recognized as a humanistic and scientific challenge to which many leading world laboratories have responded. As a collaborating member of the Croatian Academy of Science and Art, Dr. Knapp has organized an interdisciplinary group within the Academy to evaluate proposed new methods of mine detection. In 1998 the Croatian government formed the Croatian Mine Action Center (CROMAC) and this Academy group was named scientific council. Chaired by Dr. Knapp, the scientific council is comprised of approximately 30 highly qualified members, currently covers a wide range of mine related topics and is actively involved in several large international programs to develop new mine detection methods. Dr. Knapp was leading Croatian involvement in two of these international projects.

Dr. Knapp was born in Sarajevo, but has spent the majority of his life in Zagreb, Croatia. In 1954 he obtained a B.Sc. in Theoretical Physics from the Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics of the University of Zagreb. He went on to pursue his Ph.D. in Physics at the University of Birmingham. He continued postdoctoral work in Nuclear Physics at the Institute “Rudjer Boskovic” in Zagreb.

As a research Fellow at Birmingham, Professor Knapp work extensively on the Moessbauer effect. He then went on to head the Laboratory for Nuclear Spectroscopy at “Rudjer Boskovic.” In 1962, he became a member of the scientific council to the Federal Atomic Energy Commission of Yugoslavia. His work in nuclear energy primarily dealt with the issues of the long-term perspective of nuclear energy and its safety. In 1965 he was appointed Associate Professor of the Department of Electronic Engineering at Zagreb University and was named full Professor in 1975. He headed the Physics Department from 1967 until his retirement in 1996. While at Zagreb, Professor Knapp participated in the IAEA coordinated research project "Potential Role of Advanced Reactors to World Energy Supply". After his retirement in 1996, Professor Knapp was elected Professor Emeritus of the Physics Department, which allowed him to continue research work.

For many years, Dr. Knapp was occupied with the problem of the compatibility of military and peaceful use of nuclear energy. He actively participated in many Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs and acted as chairman of the Croatian Pugwash Group. When in 1992 the Croatian Nuclear Society was formed, he was elected as its first President. As Program Committee chairman Dr. Knapp initiated the Society’s annual conferences, which have developed into internationally recognized biannual conferences on “Nuclear energy in countries with small and medium electricity grids” held in Dubrovnik on the Adriatic coast.

Dr. Vladimir Knapp has brought his expertise to AMCIPS in order to assist us with our studies and programs regarding the plight of those living in war torn areas, and especially the children of those areas who have suffered from the devastation of land mines. His background in energy research will further assist AMCIPS regarding policy development for sustainable development.

ADVISOR and SENIOR FELLOW
  Gioietta Kuo, Ph.D.

Dr.  Gioietta Kuo received her Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics at Birmingham University, England and M.A. (Physics) at Cambridge University, England. She developed her thesis in low energy nuclear physics. Other educational pursuits include studies in mathematics, chemistry and physics at Cambridge University, (Newnham College) England.

She has co-authored over seventy scientific publications in international journals.

Recently, she has published a fascinating memoir, ‘A Himalayan Odyssey’, of her earlier years in China, England and Paris (publisher: 1stbooks).

Dr. Kuo's career has included the invention of a new high-resolution 3-D cone beam reconstruction algorithm for CT scanners covered by US patent #537 5156, 1994, which is now widely known. She also has three recent disclosure documents with the US Patent Office, 2002, on the implementation of the cone beam algorithm. Dr. Kuo was awarded the Excellence in Science Award - Ruder Boskovic, the first to measure the neutron-neutron scattering length in nuclear physics and was an Atlas Computer Fellow at the prestigious St. Hilda’s College, Oxford, GB before coming to work at Princeton University, NJ, USA.

Dr. Kuo has an extensive international research background that includes the Center for Computer Aids for Industrial Productivity, Rutgers University, USA; Siemens Medical Systems, Iselin, NJ, USA; Siemens Corporate Research, Princeton, NJ, USA; Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA; St. Hilda’s College, Oxford University, England; United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, Culham, Oxford, England; Institute Ruder Boskovic, Zagreb, Yugoslavia and the Commissariat d’Energie Atomique, Paris, France.

Dr. Kuo is currently Co-Founder of Astron CT, which is in the beginning stages of funding for a specialized CT Scanner designed for detection of weapons of mass destruction and other security applications. Beside that, her passions are the promotion of sustainable global population growth and eradication of poverty the world over.

advisor
  Charla McCoy, Ph.D.

Charla McCoy is an educator with eleven years’ campus administration in a great variety of grade-level and ethnic/socio-economic settings (in DISD, Skyline HS, Booker T. Washington High School for the Visual and Performing Arts, Madison HS, and Harry Stone Middle School). She has experience promoting interagency, interdepartmental coordination, implementing innovative programs, and developing school-community ties, serving nine years on the DISD central administrative staff (grant writing; project planning, management, and evaluation). She was also Director of Development for the Department of Human Services Special Projects Bureau (state and federal social services grant development and management). Her teaching experience includes grades 6-12 (Spanish, English, English as a Second Language; Swimming Coach); Adult Basic Education; community college; and university courses.

Her years as an independent consultant in educational services and grants development and management have resulted in acquisition of approximately five million dollars for a variety of public and private institutions and corporations, as well as provision of substantial assistance in program planning and management, staff development, and other educational services. Clients have included the Dallas, Fort Worth, HEB, Wilmer Hutchins, Carrollton-Farmers Branch, and Irving school districts, the World Craniofacial Foundation, The Women’s Museum, Brookhaven College, Frank Phillips College, the University of Texas at Arlington, the Pharos Group, Lightspan, Inc., and the E.L. Dalton Company.

advisor
  Max Mohamed

Max Mohamed brings over fifteen years of active political experience to AMCIPS. He served as General Secretary of the Republican Party of Guyana from 1987 until 1992. During this time, Max led his party’s effort to bring the restoration of free elections in 1992 – the first in that South American country since its independence from Great Britain in 1966. He currently holds the position as leader and Presidential candidate for his party which plans to contest Guyana’s general elections scheduled for March 2006.

Max is also the President of Ram Manufacturing, an electronic engineering and manufacturing firm in Hurst, Texas. Prior to his acquisition of this company in 2002, he worked as an Executive Director of Information Technology for Excel Communications in Dallas, Texas.

His interests include poverty alleviation through sustainable democracy, and improved quality of life through increased job opportunities in developing countries; with special emphasis on the Caribbean and Latin America.

He holds a B.Sc. degree in Geology from the University of Texas in the Permian Basin, and a Diploma in Negotiations and Conflict Management from Jones International University.

advisor
  Tina Patterson

As an Advisor to AMCIPS, Tina provides us with a strong background in international and humanitarian issues. Her experience as a professional mediator and arbitrator provides guidance and assistance with the AMCIPS refugee pro bono programs. Tina has over 15 years experience in information technology, software development and worldwide travel. She has held positions in product management, product development, and training. A native of Louisiana raised in Rhode Island, Tina received her B.A. in Hispanic Language & Linguistics from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. In 2001, she received a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Studies in Alternative Dispute Resolution from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Tina has been a workshop panel presenter at American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section conferences. Tina also offers her time to the community- in July 2002 Tina was a facilitator in the America Speaks Listening to the City event held in New York City. In November 2003 Tina was a facilitator at Citizens Summit III in Washington, DC. In November 2004 she served as a judge in the American Bar Association's Negotiation Competition for law school students. Tina is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, American Bar Association, and the Association for Conflict Resolution. In addition, Tina serves on the Association for Conflict Resolution Commercial Section's Board of Leaders.

Tina is particularly interested in the issue of human trafficking and has attended the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women sessions in order to assist in developing solutions for the elimination of human trafficking. She is active in the Dallas international community and is President of the United Nations Association, Dallas Chapter as well as a member of the World Affairs Council, DFW Japan America Society, and the Dallas Committee on Foreign Relations. Tina is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, French, and has a working knowledge of German, and Arabic. Tina is a graduate of Leadership Texas and Leadership America.