Frances Edwards is Deputy Director of the National Transportation Security Center at the Mineta Transportation Institute. She is a professor emeritus of political science and former director of the Master of Public Administration program. Her research focuses on issues related to climate change, emergency management, homeland security, continuity of operations for government and businesses and global supply chain security. She holds a Ph.D in public administration from New York University. She is also a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) with 20+ years of experience as Director of Emergency Services in San Jose and Irvine, CA.