1991 - 2014

University of Minnesota

Held a tenured position that included research, teaching and service activities in the industrial hygiene field. Co-principal investigator on several multi-year research projects
investigating the effectiveness of heath and safety interventions
in small businesses.

2013 - 2018

University of Illinois at Chicago

Founding Director of the UIC Center for Healthy Work, one of six NIOSH Centers of Excellence for Total Worker Health in the US. Served as Director of the Illinois Education and Research Center, which supports graduate and professional education of occupational health and safety professionals and Director of the Industrial Hygiene Program.

RESEARCHER

I have been conducting research on the performance and use of respirators for more than 25 years. My early research focused on the performance of respirator filters when exposed to hazardous aerosols such as silica and asbestos, and later expanded to include biological and infectious organisms. My work with the latter demonstrated that respirator filters collect inert and biological aerosols in a similar manner, confirming that current filter certification tests are adequate for all hazardous aerosol exposures. I developed a control banding method for selecting respirators for biological aerosol exposures, which was incorporated into a Canadian respiratory protection standard. I have conducted studies examining respirator policies and practices in healthcare settings, which have informed best practice guidelines. For the past 15 years my research has been primarily focused on respirator fit, utilizing real-time methods and simulated workplace tasks to better understand how fit is influenced by realistic head and body motions.

EXPERT

I am a frequent guest speaker, spokesperson and advocate for a scientific approach to health and safety. I have deep expertise in making scientific information about workplace exposures accessible to a wide range of audiences. As a consultant, I frequently help companies, unions, organizations and CEOs make well-informed and scientifically-sound decisions for protecting workers from hazardous airborne contaminants -- like SARS-COV2, EBOLA, Asbestos and Wood dust. I identify solutions to workplace hazards by using systematic approaches that rely on scientific research and core health and safety principles.