Meet the ECL Scientists behind the PBDE Study

Weihong Guo is a Research Scientist at the Environmental Chemistry Branch at DTSC. She has developed analytical methods for emerging chemicals of concern in different matrices (blood, breast milk, hand wipes) to assess exposures to environmental contaminants in relation to health effects. She serves as the lead chemist and study coordinator on several projects, managing a large number of biological and environmental samples. Before coming to DTSC in 2008, she worked for 10 years as a research specialist at UC Berkeley. She has more than 20 publications. She received her BS from Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medicine, and her MS in Environmental Health Sciences from UC Berkeley.

Arthur Holden is a Research Scientist in the Biomonitoring Branch at DTSC. He has developed several analytical methods for Persistent Organic Pollutants and has led many interdisciplinary studies on the sources, fate and transport of those pollutants in the environment, wildlife and humans. He serves as the lead chemist on several state and federal agency funded California Biomonitoring projects on issues related to Persistent Organic Pollutants and other chemicals of emerging concern. He has several related publications. He received his BS and MS in Chemistry from Reed College, Oregon and UC Berkeley, respectively.

Sabrina Crispo-Smith is an Environmental Laboratory Scientist at the Biomonitoring Branch supported through a co-operative agreement with the CDC. She has developed analytical methods for emerging chemicals of concern to assess the exposure of Californian’s to environmental contaminants in relation to health effects. She serves as the lead chemist on several state and federal agency funded California Biomonitoring projects. She actively participates in national/international scientific conferences on issues related to Persistent Organic Pollutants and other chemicals of emerging concern and has several publications. She received her BS in Chemistry and Diploma in Engineering from Saint Francis Xavier University, Canada and her PhD in Chemistry from the University of British Columbia.

Rosanne Gephart is a certified nurse-midwife, (CNM), nurse practitioner (NP), and board certified lactation consultant, (IBCLC). She has 38 years of experience working with mothers and babies in hospitals, birth centers, and homes. Rosanne is the founder of the Santa Rosa Birth Center. Rosanne directed one of the first centers in the U.S. to be designated “Baby Friendly” by the World Health Organization. She has served in leadership and teaching positions in numerous state and national organizations that serve to promote the excellent care of midwives, birth centers and lactation professionals. She currently works as a midwife, lactation consultant and business consultant for numerous centers.

Myrto Petreas is the Chief of the Environmental Chemistry Branch at DTSC. She directs and manages interdisciplinary studies to assess exposures to environmental contaminants with health effects to humans and wildlife. She serves on national and international committees on issues related to flame retardants and other Persistent Organic Pollutants. She has been awarded several grants funded by Federal and State agencies and has numerous publications. She serves as Editor of Chemosphere in charge of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Dioxins. She received her BS in Chemistry from Greece and her MS and Ph.D. in Environmental Health Sciences and MPH in Epidemiology from UC Berkeley.

June-Soo Park is the Chief of the Biomonitoring Branch at DTSC. He directs and manages interdisciplinary studies to develop analytical methods for emerging chemicals of concern and to provide information on the sources, biochemical fate and transport, and effects of those pollutants on the environment, ecology and human health. He serves as principle or co-investigator on several state and federal agency funded research grants, and as a reviewer in more than 15 scientific journals. He serves as session organizer and chair in national and international scientific conferences on issues related to Persistent Organic Pollutants and other chemicals of emerging concern. He has more than 50 publications. He received his MS and PhD in Chemical Oceanography from Texas A&M University.