Epidemiologist Expert Witness

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

A PRIVATE COMPANY
Epidemiologist, September 1998 to Present

Occupational:
Evaluate published and unpublished research materials to assess causality of disease in residential and working populations.  Topics include HIV, brain cancer, leukemia and petroleumproducts, multiple chemical sensitivity, mold, stress and cardiovascular disease, acanthamoeba and cement exposure, post-polio and physical activity, aplastic anemia and chemical exposures, renal cancer and plastics exposure, diabetes and stress, hepatitis C and needlesticks, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and injury, lung cancer and diatomaceous earth and others.

Environmental:
Literature review, study design and analysis for environmental health issues including coal tar creosote exposure of residents and workers, health effects of crude oil, perfluorooctanoate(C-8) exposure of residents and workers, mold and other environmental exposures in school children used in the course of litigation.  Daubert qualified in 2007 as an expert witness in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi.

Health Research Association
Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center
Chief Epidemiologist, November 1, 1999 to November 2005.

Epidemiologist and lead grant writer on an 8-year adolescent intervention project designed to reduce HIV, STDs and teen pregnancy among 11 – 19 year old Los Angeles Unified School District students.  This project was funded in November 2003 and at the time was the largest CDC-funded study of its type.  IRB oversight or one time approval required by 5 different institutions:  UCLA, USC, RAND, CDC and LA County Health department.

Principal Investigator for the Los Angeles site of a multi-site CDC-funded Cooperative Agreement.  The major goal of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate a strengths-based augmented case management model for enhancing durable linkage to HIV medical care for newly positive disadvantaged persons.  IRB oversight required by USC and CDC.

UCLA, Labor and Occupational Safety and Health Program
Southern California Workplace Lead Project

Project Director, August 1997 to September 1998
This was a state-funded project to reduce lead exposure in Southern California workers employed in small lead-using businesses.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer (EIS), July 1995 to July 1997

The EIS program is designed to give epidemiologists and other public health professionals  broad experience in applied epidemiology.  Special focus is placed on written and oral communication, professionalism in dealing with the media and public inquiries, surveillance, prevention effectiveness and analytical methods.  I spent about half my time in NIOSH’sIndustrywide Studies Branch where I had hands on experience with large occupational field studies and analytic methods.  My remaining months were spent in the Health-related Energy Research Branch conducting large records-based studies in the health effects of nuclear radiation on Department of Energy workers.  I conducted a standardized mortality ratio (SMR) study on Pantex workers and assisted with studies on multiple myeloma, lung cancer, and bladder cancer.

Department of Health Services, Los Angeles County
Childhood Lead Prevention Programs
Epidemiologist, August 1994 to July 1995

Developed a new Epidemiology Unit in a large program designed to identify, treat, and monitor all cases of childhood lead poisoning in Los Angeles County.  This required hiring and supervising staff, modification and maintenance of an existing database, and communication with County and State officials.

Lockheed Advanced Development Company, Burbank/Palmdale, CA
Epidemiologist, January 1990 to June 1994

Designed and conducted several epidemiologic studies.  Aided in the development and was responsible for the maintenance of an injury and illness surveillance system.  Monthly presentations summarizing reports of injuries and illnesses to management, workers, and unions; sat on an ergonomic taskforce; developed questionnaires; and coordinated with administration, information services, health and safety, legal, management, the manufacturing workforce, governmental agencies and medical personnel.

EDUCATION

Doctorate 
Emphasis:  Epidemiology
Date:  April 1995
University of California at Los Angeles

Master of Science in Public Health
Emphasis:  Epidemiology
Date:  June 1990
University of California at Los Angeles

Bachelor of Arts
Emphasis: French Language and Literature