Environmental Health Sciences Research Center

University of Iowa College of Public Health

You are here: Home / Archives for News

Dr. Thorne appointed to EPA Scientific Advisory Board

By

Peter Thorne, Deputy Director of the EHSRC, has been named to the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The appointment was announced Aug. 2 by EPA Administrator Michael Regan.

Portrait of Peter Thorne
Peter Thorne

“This highly qualified, diverse group of experts will ensure that EPA is receiving sound science-based advice to inform our work to protect people and the environment from pollution,” Regan said in a statement. “We worked expeditiously and deliberately to finalize the new Science Advisory Board, and now we can move forward knowing EPA’s work is guided by the most credible, independent expertise.”

Thorne joins 46 other members of the board, which provides scientific advice to the administrator, including reviewing the quality and relevance of information used by EPA or proposed as the basis for regulations, reviewing agency research programs and plans, and providing scientific advice as requested.

“I am excited to be serving as a science advisor to the EPA at a time when major decisions will be made regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation, the transition to sustainable energy systems, and the reduction of toxicant exposures in environmental justice communities.”

Thorne previously served on the SAB from 2011 to 2017, including a two-year term as SAB Chair from 2015 to 2017.

 

This article was originally posted here: https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/thorne-appointed-to-epa-scientific-advisory-board/

Iowa Public Radio- Restoring Environmental Protections and the Race Against Climate Change

By

EHSRC Deputy Director Dr. Peter Thorne was a guest on the show River to River to discuss restoring environmental protections and the race against climate change. Listen to the interview here. 

Blurb from Iowa Public Radio:

“President Joe Biden has vowed to restore environmental protections that have been weakened, altered or rolled back by the Trump Administration over the past four years.

The new president has ordered a review of more than 100 rules and regulations on air, water, public lands, endangered species and climate change and legal experts say it could take two to three years, or even longer, to put many of the old rules back in place.

On this edition of River to River, host Ben Kieffer talks with environmental health scientist Peter Thorne to talk about stances the new administration is taking when it comes to environmental policy. Thorne chaired the Environmental Protection Agency’s Science Advisory Board from 2015 to 2017.”

Scientific Communication Webinar Recording

By

This year the Iowa Governors Conference on Public Health has been moved online. A benefit of this is that presentations are available for anyone to watch! The Community Engagement Core’s Jackie Curnick presented about “Scientific Communication Approaches to Improve Environmental Health Literacy” on April 15, 2020. Watch the presentation here! (presentation starts around 7 minutes 30 seconds)

 

EHSRC in the fight against COVID-19

By

EHSRC investigators wear many hats, both inside and outside of their membership with the Center.  Many have been active contributors in response to the emerging questions and needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. As experts in the fields of respiratory health, industrial hygiene, engineering, aerosol science, patient care, vaccine development, and community engagement, they are tirelessly offering up their expertise to the cause by developing new technologies and interventions, working the front lines of patient care, delving into the complex infrastructural challenges, and advising governmental authorities and the general public. We are proud to count them among our members and pay tribute to their ongoing efforts in this fight.

Read more here 

New Videos!

By

View some new content by the EHSRC!

This video focuses on how to read a Consumer Confidence Report:

 

We also have 5 videos of the Research Translation Mini Series, they can be viewed here:

Seminars