News Releases from Headquarters›Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP)

Widespread Praise for Dr. Michael Dourson

Dourson Set to Be Head of EPA Office of Chemical Safety And Pollution Prevention

UPDATED 10/25/17:

WASHINGTON (July 17, 2017) Today, President Donald J. Trump announced his intention to nominate Dr. Michael Dourson of Ohio to be head EPA’s chemical and pesticides office. Dr. Dourson is a professor in the Risk Science Center at the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine. He founded the nonprofit Toxicology Excellence for Risk Assessment and worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where he won four medals. Dr. Dourson served in multiple positions at the American Board of Toxicology, Society of Toxicology, Society for Risk Analysis, and Toxicology Education Foundation. In addition, to serving on numerous government panels, he is also a member on the editorial board of three toxicology journals.

His nomination is receiving high accolades from across the country:

Samuel M. Cohen, M.D., Ph.D., Professor, Department of Pathology and Microbiology Havlik-Wall Professor of Oncology University of Nebraska Medical Center: “Dr. Dourson is an outstanding, hard-working scientist with a distinguished record in toxicology and risk assessment… He is widely recognized as a leader in the field of risk assessment… Dr. Dourson is well suited for the position of Assistant Administrator for the EPA given his long track record of bringing together individuals from academia, industry, and government regulatory agencies to work together.”

Jay I. Goodman, Ph.D., Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University: “Dr. Dourson has pursued a very successful career track centered around advancing science-based safety/risk assessment of chemicals… It is without reservation that I recommend Dr. Dourson with my highest level of enthusiasm with regard to his scientific and communication skills, and as an individual of character and integrity.”

Dr. Gio Batta Gori, Editor-in-Chief, Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, an international journal: “Dr. Dourson is an outstanding scientist whose career in toxicology spans nearly forty years, the early half of which with the EPA itself in critical positions of science, policy and administration. Dr. Dourson would bring an unparalleled breadth of experience and savvy to this position, and is ready to run full speed from the start. Dr. Dourson has a can do and winning temperament that inspires confidence, and is well known as an engaging and skillful negotiator. I wholeheartedly endorse his nomination.”

Kendall B. Wallace, Ph.D., DABT, ATS, Professor, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Minnesota: “I find Dr. Dourson to be exceptionally pleasant to work with. He is not only a wealthy resource of scientific information and professional networking, but he also adds thoughtful and challenging perspective to the discussions… Dr. Dourson is one of the first persons I turn to when in need of thoughtful opinion and collegial discussion of issues relating to risk assessment science."

The Rev. John Arthur Nunes, Ph.D., President, Concordia College, New York: “My primary context for knowing Michael is at a Christian retreat center where I lecture each summer. He and Martha Dourson (his wife, a lawyer), are annual attendees. For years, Michael’s judicious integration of faith and the sciences has struck me as impressive as it is rare. Far too often the proposal of a relationship between science and religion is viewed with incompatibility at best or with inimicality at worst. Not with Dr. Dourson. I recall a lecture of mine in which he served up a delight-inducing response to some point of my talk which accomplished precisely the opposite. While I’m unable to recall the precise, technical genealogy of his commentary, I cannot ever forget the captivated looks of fascination painted on the faces of those who listened to him, their deepened enchantment and marveled appreciation for the intricate wonder of the environment. This anecdote could be repeated from numerous casual conversations among friends of Michael. In short, kudos to you for choosing wisely and well. Best of blessings on your critical work for the sake of the creation, its stewardship and our future.”

Oliver Kroner, Sustainability Coordinator, City of Cincinnati, Office of Environment and Sustainability: “I wanted to share my high esteem for Michael Dourson, who has been a mentor to me and many other scientists. Dr. Michael Dourson has been a foundational thinker in the protection of human health from chemical exposure. He has been a tireless champion of science, and the role of science to help quantify risk and uncertainty. His research is internationally renowned, and is likely responsible for protecting, if not saving, an uncountable number of lives around the world.”

Chip May, Executive Director, Camp Arcadia: “I am the executive director of Camp Arcadia, a Christian family camp/resort in Northwest Michigan and I have had the privilege of knowing Mike for at least the past 15 years. My family and I consider Mike and his family the closest of friends. They have been passionate supporters of our ministry over the years and have helped to lead it as well. Mike chaired a beach erosion peer review study about 12 years ago. His professionalism and his ability to work with others well allowed him to deal with a very contentious issue at our camp successfully. Mike listens well, learns from others, and is able to work with people with different views. I highly recommend Mike for this position.”

Read the full letters at https://www.epa.gov/newsroom/letters-academics-recommending-dr-michael-dourson-lead-epas-office-chemical-safety-and