OSH 326 - Principles of Industrial Hygiene

Graduate Student Instructor for EHS 653: Environmental Sampling and Analysis Laboratory

I work as a research assistant for the healthystuff.org project. Most of my work is focused on using non-destructive tests (primarily X-ray fluorescence, infrared spectroscopy, and raman spectroscopy) to determine the presence of chemicals of concern in consumer products. I both gather and analyze the collected data. Finally, I collaborate with my co-workers to produce reports and presentations.

I designed a webpage for the Pine River Superfund Citizen’s Task Force in St. Louis, Michigan. In addition to web design, I also created several training documents that allowed non-technical users to perform daily content updates without technical assistance.

Worked with a professor to help teach a freshman seminar course entitled “Arctic Rush” which dealt with the political and environmental factors influencing the development of oil extraction in the Arctic. I was responsible for helping prepare lecture material, organizing review sessions, and providing individual help for struggling students.

Using an adapted NHANES survey as a template, I developed a cross-sectional study to examine the health of former Michigan Chemical Workers in Gratiot County, MI. I received approval through Alma College’s IRB to conduct the study during the summer of 2009. At the conclusion of the data gathering process I traveled to Seattle with the sponsoring organization to present my methods at the 2009 EPA Community Involvement Conference.