H. Christopher F.’s Post

I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Associate Dean for Research and Infrastructure, College of Engineering at North Carolina State University! This role includes strategic and administrative aspects related to the College's research programs, including guiding faculty-driven, cutting-edge research, establishing national and international partnerships with both public and private sectors, and exploring opportunities to enhance our College's research and training programs. Additionally, this role includes overseeing management of our College's physical infrastructure, including shared facilities and faculty labs. I will also continue to conduct research and engage in public service, including development and translation of policy- and decision-relevant science to inform decisions.

Today was my last day serving as Assistant Administrator for Research and Development, and as Science Advisor, at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Prior to being in the Presidentally nominated and Senate confirmed Assistant Administrator position starting on May 24, 2022, I served as Deputy Assistant Administrator of Science Policy. I've been on leave from North Carolina State University to U.S. EPA for nearly four years, starting on February 1, 2021. During this time, it has been an honor and privilege to work with the Agency leadership team, with the senior career leadership team in the Office of Research and Development, and with the mission-driven public servants who do all that ORD does. Together, in the spirit of public service, we have addressed societal, Administration, and Agency priorities to develop and translate science pertaining to climate change, environmental justice, contaminants of immediate and emerging concern, and many other topics that are central to informing decisions by EPA headquarters and regional offices, as well as Agency external partners in states, Tribes, local and territorial governments, and communities. At ORD, we hold ourselves accountable to measure success based on our ability to: Advance Science and Technology; Support Decision Making; Build a Healthy Workforce and Organization; and Be a Trusted Scientific Source - our strategic plan describes the 'DNA' of who we are as an organization: https://lnkd.in/ecDNecqY. I am grateful to all at EPA and our external partners with whom I have worked in these last few years and I look forward to great things to come from ORD in the years ahead: the need for systems-based science to address complex issues has never been greater and will continue to increase.

This issue includes an article by Nicolle Tulve, Sarah Mazur, Charles Lee, Helen Serassio, Ann Wolverton, Alan Walts, Sean Paul, Susan Julius, Aaron Ferster and myself on some of the work we've been doing across EPA related to environmental justice.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking nominations for technical experts to serve on its Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC). In this recruitment, we are seeking members to serve on the chartered BOSC who have broad expertise, representing a variety of scientific disciplines as they relate to human health and the environment. Nominations are now open and will close September 6, 2024. Individuals and organizations can nominate themselves or others. https://lnkd.in/eYKhs2ny

EPA is a great place to work and we are always looking for great people to join us!

Congratulations Shannon! ORD is proud of you! Well done.