Dr. Basile leads a multi-disciplinary team of professionals at the Decision Theater, which is focused on sustainability and public policy. He is an internationally recognized creative thinker and practitioner in the field of sustainability.

He started out on a traditional academic career path, with a B.S. in Physics from UC Irvine; Ph.D. in Biophysics from UC Berkeley, and as a post-doc at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. He has held teaching positions at Berkeley and Stanford, and helped develop “Green MBA” programs in the U.S. and Sweden. He currently serves on the boards of non-profit organizations and new ventures, and advises Fortune 500 clients on sustainable business practices, and integrated operational and marketing strategies. He served as the R&D head of The Natural Step, an accelerator of global sustainability, and co-founded Thrive Unlimited.

Dr. Basile is widely published and is a sought after speaker focusing on creating strategic alignment between business drivers and emerging market needs. At ASU, Dr. Basile also serves as a faculty member in the School of Sustainability.

Dr. Lant builds mathematical and system dynamics models for the Decision Theater for a variety of topical areas including public health, water and natural resource management, urban planning and innovation systems. He builds models for use as scenario analysis tools and for policy and planning exercises.

He earned his Ph.D. in applied mathematics with specialization in mathematical biology at Arizona State University and holds a master’s in actuarial science and a B.S. in mathematics, summa cum laude, from Georgia State University.

Dr. Lant holds a joint appointment as assistant research professor for the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, the Decision Theater and the Decision Center for a Desert City (DCDC) at ASU.

Previously, Dr. Lant was a doctoral fellow specializing in long term policy analysis at the RAND Corporation. Prior to that he worked as a financial analyst in the Healthcare and Biotechnology Investment Banking Division of CIBC World Markets and as an actuary for Actuarial Management Corporation.

Dr. Hahn is focused on sustainability and public policy issues related to education, urban growth and environment planning. Her research and application expertise is in the areas of collaborative decision making tools, growth management, sustainability solutions, residential and commercial development, and regional planning policy initiatives. Her primary clients and project partners include city councils and planners, zoning committees, legislative commissions, private developers, state agencies and disaster recovery organizations.

Her academic research and publications examine how immersive visualization as a communication medium influences individuals in decision making around complex policy issues; how social, moral and temporal perceptions of science influence choices in policy and education. She is a Preparing Future Faculty Fellow and has taught educational psychology, and regularly lectures for policy informatics and ASU MBA courses.

Dr. Hahn holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, a master’s in Counseling Psychology, and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Arizona State University. She is also a nationally certified professional counselor.

Lisa provides the Decision Theater the ability to analyze urban challenges from the perspective of a planner, while leveraging her technical ability to provide creative solutions. She has a diverse background that includes over 20 years in software engineering.

Lisa's professional career includes software engineering, systems software engineering, and project management within the avionics and defense industry. She specialized in user interface design and imagery display for advanced algorithms and simulations. Lisa’s continued interest in visualization is evidenced by the 3D graphics and GIS analysis featured in her master’s applied project. The project demonstrated the use of form-based code within a rural town in Arizona through facilitation of two community charrettes which determined their desired urban form.

She holds a B.S. in computer science and a master’s degree in urban and environmental planning.

Steve brings 10 years of experience in all aspects of technology for higher education to Arizona State University’s Decision Theater.

He ensures that clients and other visitors have an effective and trouble-free experience in the facility’s core component known as the Drum. His behind-the-scenes responsibilities include all aspects of the infrastructure from projectors to servers.

Prior to joining DT, Steve held a series of progressively responsible assignments at Norwich University leading to the position of chief information officer.

Brautigan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer information systems.

With more than 20 years of communications and marketing experience, Angelo helps clients, visitors and the media understand the value of scenario planning and collaborative decision making at the Decision Theater.

Angelo’s expertise is in bridging traditional and digital media, and is a thought leader in social media in marketing communications. Prior to joining the Decision Theater, Angelo worked at the office of Public Affairs at ASU, and has held senior positions in strategic planning, creative, and marketing communications in both corporate and agency environments.

Angelo has a bachelor’s in English, and a master's in Communications from the University of Leicester, U.K. He is a published writer covering technology, new media, marketing and PR.

Dr. Pahle works with a variety of 3D modeling technologies and databases to support researchers and activities at the Decision Theater.

He holds an engineering diploma (master’s degree) in architecture from the University of Siegen, Germany, and has taught classes in building structure and design at ASU. He has a Ph.D. in environmental design and planning, focusing on dynamic, real-time informative warning systems and intelligent buildings. Robert is fluent in German and English.

Dustin creates multimedia content for presentations inside the Drum, for client projects and Decision Theater’s external communications. He works closely with the multi-disciplinary staff on projects that involve visualization and modeling, using digital video and cutting edge production tools. He is also the primary control room operator, assists in client demonstrations, and provides technical support, security oversight and information technology maintenance for the facility.

Prior to joining the Decision Theater team, Dustin was a video production specialist at the University of Advancing Technology where he managed and maintained campus audio-visual equipment and created digital videos.

Dustin has a bachelor of arts in Multimedia specializing in Digital Video Production from the University of Advancing Technology.

Cynde Garrett handles administration and event planning for the Decision Theater. A long-time Arizona resident, she offers a wealth of local knowledge and event planning expertise.

Previously, she worked for the Arizona Bank and actively served as a community volunteer in Tempe, including at ASU and the Tempe/Kyrene School District. She’s also planned and coordinated numerous weddings and other special events.

Cynde rivals Sparky in Sun Devil spirit!

Michele Nobles handles administration and scheduling for the Decision Theater.

Michele comes to the Decision Theater from the ASU Mercado where she spent two years scheduling, planning events, and helping to manage the use of the facility. She’s also worked for the Cities of Scottsdale and Tempe in customer service and administrative positions.

Michele has a Bachelor of Science degree in public programs.

As a geologist, Vanessa works with WaterSim incorporating groundwater scenarios into water decision making tools for the Decision Theater. She is completing her master's degree in Geological Sciences from Arizona State University and holds a bachelor's Degree of Science in Geology from Sonoma State University in California.

Vanessa is a bi-lingual scientist who joins the Decision Theater team with 12 year's Army experience, 3 years Active Duty with Army Engineers and 6 year's experience in groundwater consulting here in Phoenix.

Mitali works with Decision Theater's Policy Informatics team in analyzing today's challenges in public policy. She graduated from University of Southampton, UK, and is currently pursuing a master's in Urban and Environmental Planning from ASU's College of Design.

In addition to traveling the world extensively, Mitali has worked with disaster relief organizations after the 2005 tsunami and floods in South India, and Mumbai.

Ozgur works in the Dynamics and Informatics team at the Decision Theater using mathematics to analyze system behaviors. He is involved in developing quantitative models for the Decision Theater's environment by using data management, system modeling and computer programming.

Ozgur holds a master's degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Istanbul Technical University in Turkey. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering at Arizona State University. His research interests are urban logistics for sustainable cities, simulation for health care systems and work force planning.

Lindsay is a part of the operations support team, keeps track of facility use, assists clients and helps ‘drive’ presentations. As a sophomore at Arizona State University she is pursuing a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and plans to graduate in the spring of 2011.

Lindsay represented her country at the 2007 World Championship in Germany, 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil, and the 2004 United States Junior World Championship in Great Britain.

Jewel drives presentations in the Drum, and helps with office duties. She works on projects involving the creation of 3D visualizations for urban growth models. Jewel is pursuing a bachelors in Interdisciplinary Science with concentrations in Psychology and Informatics. She plans to pursue Biomedical Informatics, paying special attention to human-computer interaction.

She is an accomplished singer/songwriter as well as an active member in Folding@Home, a Distributed Computing project researching proteins in diseases. She will graduate in Spring 2010.

Ignacio works closely with the operations support team. He helps 'drive' presentations and assists with facility use. Ignacio has a background in design and is involved with Decision Theater’s communications and outreach efforts in the design of print collateral.

Ignacio is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Design at ASU, with a concentration in Design Management. He has worked with a variety of multimedia forms including digital imaging, video production and writing.

Belinda helps 'drive' presentations, gives first impression tours, and supports Communications-and Outreach at the Decision Theater. With a background in the news media, she assists in design and writing projects that include production of posters, White Papers, presentations, videos and fact sheets.

Belinda is currently a sophomore pursuing a double major in Computer Information Systems and Piano Performance. Since beginning to play the piano at age 5, she has won numerous music awards and enjoys teaching piano students in her spare time.

Robert helps set up the Drum for presentations which he also 'drives' and presents. He helps keep track of the facility usage, handles the needs of clients and the front desk. He also assists project managers on specific projects.

A Texas native, Robert is in his sophomore year and is pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice focusing on Criminology, with a minor in Psychology at ASU. He is a pledging brother to the Kappa Kappa Psi Fraternity, a member of the ASU Sun Devil Marching Band, plays different intramural sports, and is a Floor Manager at ASU Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium.

Dr. Kim works on finding new and different ways of using available information in making policy decisions.

Dr. Kim is an assistant professor at the ASU School of Public Affairs and an affiliated faculty of the Decision Theater. Dr. Kim holds a bachelor's degree in public administration, a master of public administration, and a Ph.D. in public policy and management. Dr. Kim conducts research on policy informatics using the Decision Theater.

Dr. Kim conducts research in public policy analysis and policy informatics. She frames conceptual questions in these areas in the context of public service delivery, public health/welfare policy, and crime.

Prior to her position at ASU, Dr. Kim worked as a researcher for the Ohio Women, Infants, and Children program at the Ohio Department of Health and a postdoctoral researcher at the John Glenn School of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University, taking part in evaluation research of welfare demonstration projects in Ohio.

Dr. Johnston is charged with discovering how to use tools, models, and simulations to help individuals and groups make effective policy decisions using the Decision Theater.

As an assistant professor in the ASU School of Public Affairs, Dr. Johnston is currently engaged in four lines of research: 1) Assessing how models and simulations can aid individuals and groups make policy decisions, 2) Understanding the policy consequences for implementing and sustaining collaboration in civic, business, and academic contexts, 3) Analyzing the influence of distance, facilitation, and communication delay on technology supported work groups, and 4) Applying complex systems methodology and theory using agent-based modeling as a complement to traditional quantitative and qualitative research methods.

He earned a Ph.D. in Information and a Certificate in Complex Systems from the University of Michigan. He is a two time NSF IGRET fellow, first as a STIET (Socio-Technical Infrastructure for Electronics Transactions) fellow and then as an IDEAS (Institutions, Diversity, Emergence, Adaptation, and Structures) fellow. During his Ph.D. studies, he was the President of the Doctoral Student Organization and earned both the Outstanding Doctoral Student Award and Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Award.

David Coursey specializes in e-government, process re-engineering, general public information technology, and experimental design for the Decision Theater. He brings over 10 years of major e-gov systems development experience as well as nationally known expertise in public management and measurement theory/advanced statistics, and experimental design.

Before ASU, Dr. Coursey founded and directed the information management track for the MPA program at Florida State University which became one the nation’s finest and most innovative. His doctorate is from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. He has numerous publications in top public administration journals such as Public Administration Review, Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, and Administration and Society.

Dr. Rowe’s linkage between computer science and informatics researchers and ASU Information Technology provides a broad base of science, public policy and educational outreach for the Decision Theater.

In addition to his role at DT, Dr. Rowe is also Director of Research, Strategic Planning and Policy for Information Technology at ASU and Associate Director of the Institute for Computer, Information Sciences and Engineering (InCISE), and co-director of the Partnership for Research in Spatial Modeling (PRISM).

He serves on several state-level committees including the Chief Information Advisory Council, the Electronic Records Life Cycle subgroup of the Arizona Digital Government Working Group, and Arizona Board of Regents Arizona Regents University/Information Technology subcommittee. He has been actively involved in strategic planning and development of IT policy.

Dr. Rowe is on the Advisory Board for the Cornell University Library/Museum of Science in Boston "Printable Digital Machine" project. He has been a CoPI on funded proposals including KDI: "3D Knowledge: Acquisition, Representation, and Analysis in a Distributed Environment" (NSF $2.1M), "Moving Waters: The Colorado River and the West" (NEH $300K), "Observations and Modeling of Orographic Cumulus Development using Digital Imaging and Data Cataloguing" (NSF $320K) and Decision Center for a Desert City (NSF $6.9M).

Dr. Rowe also researches and writes about historic photography, specializing in Arizona and the Southwest.