Curriculum Vitae
Positions
August 2021-present
Associate Professor, The University of Alabama, Department of Anthropology and Institute for Social Science Research.
January 2014-present
Assistant Professor, University of California, San Francisco, Institute for Health and Aging. Conducting research on "Decisions and Experiences of Egg Providers."
2016-2017, Women's Policy Institute Fellow. Women's Foundation of California.
January 2013-January 2014
Associate Executive Director, Center for Genetics and Society. Research and advocacy surrounding ethical uses of human biotechnologies.
June 2011-present
Lecturer. California State University, East Bay. Teaching courses in Medical Anthropology, Applied Anthropology, and Anthropological Theory.
January 2011-July 2012
Scholar in Residence University of California, Berkeley, Beatrice Bain Research Group on Gender.
June 2010-December 2010
Associate Director, Research, Pars Equality Center. Focus: Promoting Human Rights and Civil Liberties for Iranians in the United States.
February 2007-December 2010
Executive Director, Unique Zan Foundation. Focus: Promoting Health and Literacy for Women in and from the Middle East.
October 2001-Dec 04
Assistant Faculty Researcher. University of California, San Francisco, Institute for Health and Aging, and Lecturer, UCSF Medical School Core Curriculum, Department of Anthropology, History and Social Medicine.
July 2002-Dec ’02
Visiting Scholar. Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Department of
Community Health. Isfahan, Iran. Conducted Extensive research on Afghan refugees and low income Iranians in Isfahan, as well as on Iran’s public health care system.
Education
August 1989-2000
Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley/UCSF joint program in Medical Anthropology.
June 1989
M.A. University of Hawaii, Manoa.
June 1986
B.A. University of California, Santa Barbara.
Selected Publications
Books
Romancing the Sperm: Shifting Biopolitics and the Making of Modern Families. Rutgers University Press, November 2018.
Tell Them We’re Not Terrorists: Life in Iran with My Two Sons. Unpublished book manuscript.
Edited Volumes
April 2007
Afghan Refugees and Returnees: Culture and Survival in the Face of War, Violence and Dislocation. Special edition for the journal Iranian Studies 40 (2): 2007. Guest Editor: Diane Tober. Taylor and Francis Press, April 2007.
March 2007
Islam, Health and the Body: Science and Religion in the Muslim World. Special edition for Body and Society, Diane Tober and Debra Budiani, guest editors. Sage Press, March 2007.
Articles
April 2007
“My Body is Broken Like My Country”: Identity, Nation, and Repatriation among Afghan Refugees in Iran. In Iranian Studies, 40(2) 2007. Guest Editor: Diane Tober.
2007
Article IN Encyclopedia of Women in Islamic Cultures, Iran. V.4(p.471). Brill Press.
2006
“Fewer Children, Better Life,” or “As Many as God Wants?”: Perceptions and Practices of Family Planning among Low-income Iranians and Afghan Refugees in Iran.”IN Medical Anthropology Quarterly, C. Sargent and M. Inhorn, guest editors.
2004
“Children in the Field and the Methodological Challenges of Research in Iran.” IN Iranian Studies, Mary Hegland, and Erika Loeffler-Friedl, editors. 37:4:643-658.
2002
“Semen as Gift, Semen as Goods: Reproductive Workers and the Market in Altruism.” In Commodifying Bodies, Nancy Scheper-Hughes and Loic Wacquant, eds.
September 2001
“Semen as Gift, Semen as Goods: Reproductive Workers and the Market in Altruism.” In Body & Society. Sage Publishers.
In the News
KQED Forum
The Pros and Cons of Donating and Freezing Eggs, with Tonya Mosley. May 4, 2018.
Die Welt
Die Schmerzhafte Realität des "Social Freezing." An interview with Elisalex Henckel. November 17, 2014
KQED Forum, with Judy Campbell
Motherhood Deferred: Freezing Your Eggs, by Judy Campbell. May 2013
Mutiny Radio
Women’s Magazine with Val Ibarra. Human Eggs for Research Despite RISKS to Women's Health. June 28, 2013.
KPFA
Women’s Magazine. Harvesting Human Eggs & International Surrogacy: Risks to Health & Human Rights. August 5, 2013.
KPCC
Should Women Make a Profit on Donating their Eggs for Research? By Larry Mantle.
Nature
California Bill Posed to Lift Restrictions on Egg Donation. By Charlotte Schubert. June 18, 2013
The Atlantic
There’s More to Life Than Freezing Your Eggs, by Jacoba Urist. May 14, 2013.
British Television Channel 4
“Science or Ethics?: Special Report on Science and Technology in the Islamic Republic of Iran.” Television Interview. March 2006
The Washington Prism
“An American Woman in Isfahan: A Chat with Dr. Diane Tober.” Washington Prism Staff, Afshin Molavi June 2006
The Oakland Tribune
“Local Readers United with Afghanistan.” Staff writer: Rebekah Gordon. October 12, 2006
Op-Eds, Blogs, and Articles
Sacramento Bee Op-Ed
Viewpoints: Risks are Many in Paying Women to Donate Eggs. Diane Tober and Nancy
Scheper-Hughes, July 16th, 2013.
RH Reality Check
Eggs for Cash: Pitting Choice Against Risk, Diane Tober and Francine Coeytaux. September 4, 2013.