User:Valoem/Randall Fontes

Randall G. Fontes (born October 20, 1945) is an American parapsychologist known for his research into plant perception. He earned a master's degree in psychology from Sonoma State University (SSU) in 1977. He died on September 14, 2019, of Parkinson's disease.

Education and research
In 1971, Fontes went to see the guru Swami Muktananda in India where, according to Fontes, an astrologer said that in 1976 Fontes would become world famous for his scientific research into psychotronics.

In the spring of 1972, Fontes was introduced to Marcel Vogel who was conducting research on plants and telepathy in San Jose, California. Fontes told the Daily Review that shortly after meeting, Vogel handed over his equipment, saying, "Oh, you're the guy who's going to continue my work". Fontes brought Vogel's equipment back to SSU where he was a student and began his research with help from friend and co-researcher, Robert Swanson, and psychology professor David Van Nuys.

In June 1973, Norman Goldstein invited Fontes to be a guest researcher in the biology department at California State University, Hayward to research the action potential in algae (Nitella), and the parenchyma cells of the Mimosa pudica to determine their sensitivity to various external stimuli.

In the fall of 1973, Harold Puthoff and Russell Targ brought Fontes to the Stanford Research Institute (SRI) where they were conducting research to probe plant sensitivity and paranormal abilities under a program initiated by the U.S. CIA, a remote viewing program that eventually became known under the code name "Stargate Project". Puthoff and Targ's research into plant and human consciousness was also known as "primary perception" or the "Backster Effect", after former CIA polygraph technician Cleve Backster. Fontes worked with remote viewers Ingo Swann, Hella Hammid and Pat Price, and in 1975 published a final report entitled "Organic Biofield Sensor" authored by Puthoff and Fontes. Fontes used this as the basis of his 1977 MSc thesis at Sonoma State University.

The Secret Life of Plants
Fontes and Swanson's research was highlighted in the bestselling book The Secret Life of Plants (1973) by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird. Fontes and Swanson helped Tompkins promote the book on radio and television shows such as The David Susskind Show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and the Encyclopædia Britannica "Wild Science" documentary series.

Fontes was also featured in the documentary film based on the book, The Secret Life of Plants (1979), directed by Walon Green, with a musical sound track, Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants" by Stevie Wonder.

Career
From 1977 to 1981, Fontes taught an introduction to parapsychology course at De Anza College in Cupertino, California. This class taught the scientific approach to paranormal phenomena and was fully accredited and transferable to the University of California.

In May 1987 Fontes joined the staff of the Exploratorium Science and Art Museum. In 1993, under funding from the National Science Foundation, he became a designer for life science projects in the Exploratorium's biology department and designed exhibits for the Human Genome Project (HGP) funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Genome Program.

In August 2000, Fontes began to focus on the integration of science, art and spirit and began developing the Play of Light Meditation Experience.