Jay Vietas is the Chief, Emerging Technologies in the Division of Sciences Integration at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. He leads a team of scientists in the study of emerging technologies on worker health and practical application of this knowledge. This includes research on the use of advanced materials, synthetic biology and biomanufacturing, and artificial intelligence. Additionally, he is responsible for leadership of NIOSH’s Nanotechnology Research Center and Future of Work Initiative. Jay obtained his PhD from the University of Cincinnati in Environmental Health, graduate degrees in environmental health and engineering from Colorado State University, and an undergraduate degree in Chemistry from the United States Air Force Academy. Jay is a Certified Industrial Hygienist, a Certified Safety Professional and a member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association.
John Howard is the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the Administrator of the World Trade Center Health Program in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Howard was first appointed NIOSH Director in 2002 during the George W. Bush Administration and served in that position until 2008. In 2009, Dr. Howard worked as a consultant with the US-Afghanistan Health Initiative. In September of 2009, Dr. Howard was again appointed NIOSH Director. He was reappointed for a third six-year term in 2015, and a fourth term in 2021. Prior to his appointments as NIOSH Director and WTC Health Program Administrator, Dr. Howard served as Chief of the Division of Occupational Safety and Health in the State of California's Labor and Workforce Development Agency from 1991 through 2002. Dr. Howard earned a Doctor of Medicine from Loyola University of Chicago; a Master of Public Health from the Harvard University School of Public Health; a Doctor of Law from the University of California at Los Angeles; and a Master of Law in Administrative Law and Economic Regulation, and a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management, both degrees from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He has written numerous articles on occupational health, policy, and law.
Christine Whittaker is the Division Director for NIOSH Division of Science Integration (DSI). She received her B.S. in Biology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and her Ph.D. in Environmental Toxicology from the University of California Irvine. From 1990 to 1997, Chris worked in the Directorate of Health Standards in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in Washington DC, where she conducted occupational risk assessment to support chemical regulations. In 1997, Chris moved to the NIOSH Office of the Director in Washington, DC, where she served as a senior scientist. In 2004, she moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, as Chief of the Risk Evaluation Branch in the Division of Science Integration (DSI). Throughout her career, Chris’s focus has been assessing chemical hazards to workers and determining how those hazards can be most effectively mitigated through science policy. In her time in DSI, Chris has been involved in the development of NIOSH science policy, including thinking around the utility and processes in systematic review, the NIOSH Chemical Carcinogen Policy, the NIOSH Practices in Occupational Risk Assessment, the NIOSH Occupational Exposure Banding Process for Chemical Risk Management, as well as several documents on occupational exposure to various workplace chemicals.
Branden Brough is the Director of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO) and the Assistant Director for Nanotechnology at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). Before joining NNCO and OSTP, Dr. Brough served as Deputy Director of the Molecular Foundry, a DOE-funded nanoscale science research center at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. There, Dr. Brough was responsible for helping guide scientific planning, while also managing the organization’s operations. Branden previously worked at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, which is part of the National Institutes of Health, where he led strategic policy and planning activities, as well as Congressional and public outreach efforts. Branden received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) before becoming a AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow in 2007.
Duane Hammond, Facilitator
Troy Ochs graduated from the University of Cincinnati. He worked for NIOSH as a Guest Researcher while attaining his master’s degree. After graduating from the University of Cincinnati, he joined GE Aviation on their Manufacturing/Management Development Program. He then held several safety roles within the Evendale EHS organization at the GE Aviation headquarters site. Then he moved on to the Industrial Hygiene Leader for the Evendale site. After 20 years as the IH Leader for the Evendale site, he took on the role as the Global IH Leader for GE Aerospace. He has overseen many employee health programs including, Additive Manufacturing, Ceramic Matrix Composites, COVID, and Environmental Hexavalent Chromium.
Austin Schmidt is the Co-Founder and President of Additive Engineering Solutions (AES). Austin co-founded AES to commercialize Large Format Additive Manufacturing (LFAM) and established the first company to offer LFAM as a contract service. At AES, Austin works with customers to develop tools and applications that take advantage of LFAM. Austin has spoken on LFAM at numerous industry conferences including RAPID, SAMPE, and CAMX. Prior to founding AES, Austin spent five years in Caterpillar’s Engineering Leadership program. Austin graduated from Case Western Reserve University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
Chris Barnes is a General Research Engineer for the Engineering and Physical Hazard’s Branch (EPHB) in NIOSH’s Division of Field Studies and Engineering (DFSE), in Cincinnati, OH. One of his current research projects aims to develop low-cost engineering controls for 3D printer technologies to reduce worker exposure to 3D printer emissions. The focus of his work has primarily been in developing universal and custom retrofitted engineering controls for thermoplastic desktop and large-format additive manufacturing technologies in collaboration with industry partners.
Jenny Roberts, Facilitator
Richard Kesler is a Research Engineer with the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes. His research has focused on biomechanics, physical performance, and health. Specifically, he has examined the physiological demands of firefighting, the impact of personal protective equipment on the firefighter, and characterizing the thermal and chemical environment of the fireground. Prior to joining the FSRI team in October 2022, Richard served as the Deputy Director of Research Programs at the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI). He is a member of the Savoy (IL) Fire Department, where he has served at ranks up to Assistant Chief. Richard holds a PhD in Kinesiology and MS and BS degrees in Bioengineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Micah Niemeier-Walsh began their NIOSH career in 2012 as a health communications intern in the Division of Science Integration, where they contributed to the development of the NIOSH Occupational Exposure Banding methodology. After earning a Ph.D. in Environmental and Industrial Hygiene from the University of Cincinnati, they returned to NIOSH in 2020. Initially, they joined the Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance Branch, conducting health and safety assessments in a wide range of occupational environments. Currently, as part of the Firefighter Health Program, Dr. Niemeier-Walsh works on the National Firefighter Registry (NFR) for Cancer and is actively researching firefighters' potential exposures during lithium-ion battery and electric vehicle fires.
Christopher Myers is a Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) with the United States Environmental Protection Agency in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Myers began his career in 2006 as a contractor for the USEPA’s Emergency Response Program, providing technical consultation services during Emergency Response, Time-Critical Removal operation, and Disaster Response cases across the country. After spending 12 years as a contractor in both USEPA Regions VIII and IX, Mr. Myers became a FOSC in USEPA Region IX in 2018. Mr. Myers is a contributor to multiple national workgroups including the Emergency Response Technical Group, National Biological Preparedness Workgroup, Chemical Warfare Agent Preparedness Workgroup and holds the position of Co-Coordinator of the USEPA’s National Lithium-Ion Battery Emergency Response Taskforce. Mr. Myers has received multiple Gold Metals for Exceptional Service for his involvement with wildfire disaster responses and as part of the leadership team during the Red Hill drinking water emergency in Hawai’i. Mr. Myers was presented with the 2023 National OSC of the Year award, and for serving as an Incident Commander during the Maui Wildfires was a contributing member to the 2024 Samuel J Heyman Service to America award winning team from the USEPA.
Jonisha Pollard is the Branch Chief of the Research Branch at the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL). She holds a master’s degree in Bioengineering from the University of Pittsburgh and is a Certified Professional Ergonomist. She joined NIOSH as a student researcher in the Mining Program in 2007. Jonisha joined NPPTL in 2019 and quickly began focusing on the COVID-19 response efforts and supporting urgent PPE research priorities. As Branch Chief, she ensures NPPTL maintains a responsive research portfolio that supports the needs for research and guidance to improve the design, performance, and usability of personal protective equipment and technologies. She is leading the Respirator Fit for All programmatic area which seeks to support the proper selection and use of respirators for workers and the general public.
Lilia Chen, Facilitator
Mary Schubauer-Berigan is Head of the Evidence Synthesis and Classification Branch and the Monographs programme of IARC. Her scientific staff leads evaluations of the epidemiological and experimental evidence base to identify the preventable causes of human cancer. She has been Responsible Officer for monographs on night shift work, opium consumption, and occupational exposure as a firefighter. Previously, Mary led multidisciplinary teams conducting epidemiology studies of the health effects (mainly cancer) of occupational exposures to beryllium, carbon nanotubes, nuclear work, radon, cosmic radiation, and circadian disruption at NIOSH in the USA. Mary has co-authored over 150 publications on the above topics. Her research on lung cancer from beryllium exposure in workers was used by OSHA in 2017 to support a more protective exposure limit for workers. Mary received a PhD in epidemiology from the Medical University of South Carolina and a MS in biology from the University of Minnesota.
Kaitlin Kelly-Reif is an epidemiologist at the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) where she is the principal investigator of several chronic disease studies of workers exposed to ionizing radiation, particulate matter, and chemicals, which inform occupational and environmental standards. Kaitlin represents NIOSH in two international research consortia, the Pooled Uranium Miners Analysis and the International Nuclear Workers Study. Kaitlin is currently working to develop the largest cohort of workers exposed to carbon nanotubes and nanofibers (CNT/F) in response to biomarker studies indicating potential respiratory health effects from CNT/F exposure. She has received a number of awards for her work, including the CDC Diane Caves Excellence in Public Health Service, the EPICOH Award for Outstanding Early Career Researcher, and the ISEE Rebecca James Baker Early Career Scientist Award.
LCDR Sarah Hughes is a Research Health Scientist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (CDC/NIOSH). Her work involves synthesizing NIOSH research, translating it into practical recommendations, and developing various guidance documents. Her research projects focus on health hazards associated with occupational exposure to wildland fire smoke, manganese, lead, and workplace solutions to occupational hazards. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Louisville and a Master of Public Health degree from Eastern Kentucky University. She is a Registered Environmental Health Specialist, Certified Environmental Systems Manager, and a Diplomate in the American Academy of Sanitarians.
Aleks Stefaniak, Facilitator
Dr. Linda Molnar is a scientist, inventor, and entrepreneur. She has expertise in leading change, program development and partnership building. As an entrepreneurial executive who is passionate about creating actionable solutions for protecting planet and human health, she also drives forward economic development goals. Linda is a Program Director for the NSF Convergence Accelerator Program in the Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) directorate at the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). Launched the NSF Convergence Accelerator funding opportunities “Sustainable Materials for Global Challenges,” and “Equitable Water Solutions,” including environmentally sustainable semiconductor manufacturing and PFAS innovation; managed pilot cohort of AI and Future of Work teams. Prior to joining NSF, she was co-founder and CEO of Simpatica Medicine, Inc., an artificial intelligence precision medicine company based in San Francisco, California. Linda earned a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering (Program in Polymer Science and Technology) from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s in chemistry (biology) from the University of Pittsburgh (magna cum laude
Nicole Neu-Baker, MPH, CPH is a Research Associate at the University of Albany, State University of New York (SUNY), College of Nanotechnology, Science and Engineering (CNSE) in Albany, NY. Since 2014, Ms. Neu-Baker has also been on assignment to NIOSH. She has extensive experience conducting field and laboratory research in occupational health, exposure assessment, and nanotoxicology, with particular focus on engineered nanomaterials used in semiconductor fabrication. Her current research focus is on the occupational health and safety challenges for the semiconductor industry. Additionally, Ms. Neu-Baker also serves as a Health & Safety Research Specialist for Colden Corporation, a health and safety consulting firm in Albany, NY.
Dr. Gary Roth is a Senior Service Fellow at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. His research interests are in emerging technologies broadly, and specifically a focus on nanotechnology, additive manufacturing, and artificial intelligence, and how these technologies are changing the nature of work and the experience of the future worker. He has been with the Institute for 9 years, in which time he has helped to develop and disseminate guidance on nanotechnology and additive manufacturing, served as the coordinator for the Institute’s Future of Work Initiative, been a coordinator for its Manufacturing Sector Program, and has been an active participant in the institute’s Nanotechnology Research Center (NTRC), Center for Occupational Robotics Research (CORR), and strategic foresight projects. Dr. Roth has recently moved to the Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation, where he helps to lead the Institute’s strategic planning efforts. Dr. Roth is a graduate of the University at Albany, where he obtained a doctoral degree in Nanoscale Science and Engineering, and master’s degree in environmental health and toxicology.
Eric Glassford, Facilitator
Angelos Kyrlidis is R&D Director, Advanced Carbons at Cabot Corporation where he leads the company's technology development efforts focused on the production and applications of graphene-based materials, carbon nanostructures, and other advanced carbons. In his 26 years with Cabot, he led several new product and application development efforts, including new materials for electrophotography, display, and separations applications. Prior to joining Cabot, Dr. Kyrlidis was Section Head at Molten Metal Technology, where he led projects related to the elemental recycling of very hazardous chemical and mixed organic waste streams. He received his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from MIT and Diploma of Chemical Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens, Greece. He currently holds over 20 granted U.S. patents.
Ishrat Chaudhuri is Senior Principal Toxicologist at Cabot Corporation, implementing risk reduction strategies for new and existing chemical products, determining whether products comply with regulations and are safe for commercialisation. Dr. Chaudhuri has developed and evaluated toxicology data on various nanomaterials, including carbon black, synthetic amorphous silica, graphenes and carbon nanotubes, and is responsible for new substance notifications including Pre-Manufacture Notifications under TSCA and EU REACH registrations. She has participated as an expert on nanotoxicology for regulatory programs developed by the European Chemicals Agency, USEPA and other agencies. Prior to Cabot, Dr. Chaudhuri worked at environmental consulting companies, conducting human health risk evaluations, consumer product evaluations and toxicology assessments for environmental and consumer chemicals. Dr. Chaudhuri has a PhD in Toxicology from MIT, and is certified by the American Board of Toxicology.
Terrance Barkan is the Executive Director and founder of The Graphene Council, a global trade and professional community connecting scientists, academics, producers, end-users, and commercial professionals that have an interest in the research, development and application of graphene. The mission of The Graphene Council is to be a catalyst for the commercialization of graphene by meeting the needs of the global graphene community, helping to facilitate the development and application of this unique material. For more than 30 years, Terrance Barkan CAE has been building trade and professional associations on a global basis, working in more than 70 countries on 6 continents around the world developing and implementing association growth strategy projects. This work has included the development of international standards and the growth of important technical, engineering, scientific and health care related organizations. Mr. Barkan has led The Graphene Council to become the largest and most influential organization in the 2D advanced materials sector world-wide. Key activities include the development of the Verified Graphene Producer™ program, the most robust, in-person validation program available to confirm bona fide graphene production capabilities. Mr. Barkan and a global team of subject matter experts regularly are involved in graphene application development and testing projects, staying on the leading edge of how graphene is being used and commercialized. Under the leadership of Mr. Barkan, The Graphene Council has become the leading global organization promoting the adoption of graphene enhanced advanced materials solutions, attracting more than 36,000 community members. The Graphene Council is a founding Affiliate Member of the Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre (GEIC) at the University of Manchester in the UK, the “home” of graphene.
Matt Dahm completed his graduate studies for his PhD in Environmental and Industrial Hygiene from the University of Cincinnati. Matt is currently a Senior Scientist within the Office of the Director at NIOSH and holds the rank of Commander in the United States Public Health Service. Since joining NIOSH in 2009, Matt has focused his research efforts on developing exposure assessment sampling methods and assessing occupational exposures for workers handling carbonaceous nanomaterials which include carbon nanotubes and nanofibers (CNT/F) and graphene. He has published over 20 manuscripts in scientific peer-reviewed journals and has given more than 50 presentations on these topics.
Mamadou Niang PhD, MPH, MS is a contract industrial hygiene researcher at CDC/NIOSH Division of Field Studies and Engineering. Having earned a master’s degree in biology specializing in parasitology and immunology at University of Dakar, Senegal, Dr. Niang came to the United Stated in 2008 to further his education. He subsequently completed his Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of Cincinnati in August 2016 with a concentration in Epidemiology and was accepted into the PhD program for biological monitoring. Dr. Niang graduated from University of Cincinnati in August 2020 with a PhD in industrial hygiene. His dissertation research is focus on assessing the basis for increased illness in biosolids exposed occupation by investigating the risk of co-exposure to antibiotics and microbial pathogens in the biosolids that may contribute to the incidence of illness in wastewater treatment workers. Dr. Niang’s research interests include conducting occupational exposure and risk assessments of chemical hazards including nanoparticles and pharmaceuticals.