Below is a selected list of contracts that are currently open or have been completed in the last five years. In addition, EHC staff are working diligently on a Web site dedicated to connecting community and science to heal autism; please visit us at HealingThresholds.com.

• U.S. EPA OCHP — teaming with ICF Consulting and others to assist in providing technical assistance to OCHP (2004 - current)
• U.S. EPA Toxicity and Exposure Assessment for Children’s Health (TEACH) — scientific literature reviews and creation of customized interactive database (2000 - current)
• Medsite CME — preparation of CME on diverse topics (2006)
• Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago — maps of needs and resources for child abuse in the State of Illinois (2002 - 2003)
• Medical News and Conference Systems, Tokyo, Japan — same-day conference coverage (2002 -2003)
• Chicago Biomedical Consortium — facilitate three-university collaboration and grant writing (2002 - 2004)
• Village of Oak Park, Illinois — periodic consulting on environmental issues of concern (1999 - 2003)
• Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Chicago — NIH grant preparation (2003)
• U.S. EPA FIELDS — Human Health Risk Assessment Module Peer Review (2002)

References and detailed information about past and current contracts are available upon request.

Staff Resumes

Dr. Lara C. Pullen

Dr. Lara C. Pullen has written comprehensive summaries of scientific research, developed fact sheets for risk assessors and managers, created PowerPoint presentations, written numerous medical documents and performed literature reviews. As president of Environmental Health Consulting, Dr. Pullen is involved in all aspects of the business, including the TEACH project with U.S. EPA.

Professional Experience

• President, Environmental Health Consulting (founder and president, since 1999)
• Medical Writer (since 1998)
• Environmental Health Scientist and Life Scientist for U.S. EPA Region 5 (1995 - 1998)

Specific Experience

• Authored, critically reviewed, and provided peer input on numerous human health risk assessments for hazardous waste and other types of sites
• Performed numerous risk assessments
• Written numerous medical and health documents for varied audiences

Education

• University of Chicago 1994-1995
    Post-doctoral fellow in Cell Biology
• Northwestern University 1988-1994
    Ph.D. Microbiology/Immunology
• Ludwigs Maximilian University 1989-1990
    Fulbright Scholarship in Immunology
• Macalester College 1984-1988
    B.A. Biology

Training/Teaching

• Adjunct Professor in the Department of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago
• Taught risk and decision-making course to U.S. EPA Region 5 management and staff
• Provide hands-on dissection lessons for elementary school children

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Dr. Marisa Naujokas

Dr. Marisa Naujokas is a well-respected scientist in the field of immunology who has written many peer-reviewed research articles. As a scientist at Environmental Health Consulting, Dr. Naujokas brings her scientific mind to the analysis of technical problems and her powerful communication skills to both the written and verbal communication of that analysis. She focuses her efforts on children's health.

Senior Health Scientist and Writer

• Analyzes and compiles highly-technical documents for professional environmental health or medical audiences
• Makes scientific information from government and research documents accessible for a variety of audiences
• Ability to build and navigate networks within and between organization
• Meets deadlines in dynamic, high-pressure environment while providing the highest quality analysis
• Over 7 years experience in environmental health; over 20 years experience in the health sciences
• PhD. in Immunology; first author of several primary research articles published in prestigious journals

Professional Experience

• Senior Scientist, Environmental Health Consulting: 2002 to Present
  • Primary scientific writer for the U.S. EPA Toxicity and Exposure Assessment for Children’s Health (TEACH) Web site (www.epa.gov/teach); site contains scientific literature reviews and customized interactive database with summaries of primary research articles
  • Primary analyst for detailed technical review of U.S. EPA IRIS draft toxicity values to ensure that values were derived appropriately to protect children’s health; U.S. EPA Office of Children’s Health Protection and Environmental Education (OCHPEE)
  • Contributing scientific writer for Healing Thresholds Web site (www.healingthresholds.com) to communicate current scientific research to caregivers and therapists working with autistic children
  • Scientific writer of white papers about the toxicological review process and children’s environmental health for U.S. EPA OCHPEE
  • Primary author on a variety of other health-related topics:
    • Vaccine information cards for physicians for the American Medical Association
    • White paper on inhalation dosimetry calculations for children for U.S. EPA OCHPEE
    • White paper on availability of services for people with autism for the CDC
    • Technical training manuals for pharmaceutical sales representatives selling pharmaceuticals and medical devices
    • “Fish Cards” which summarized consumption recommendations based on contaminant levels in fish for Environmental Health Consulting, written for the lay public
• Chicago Environmental Health Examiner, www.examiner.com: August 2009 to Present
  • Reporting on environmental health issues with an emphasis on local interest; generate traffic using social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Digg)
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Chicago: 1991 to 1997
  • Investigated the biochemical machinery involved in antigen presentation and the activation of T lymphocytes with Dr. Jim Miller; resulted in several publications in prestigious journals

Education

• Rush University, Chicago, IL: Ph.D. Microbiology/Immunology, 2002
• University of Chicago, Chicago, IL: B.A. Biology, 1983

Other Experience and Memberships

• National Association of Science Writers
• American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Girl Scouts USA, Evanston Regional Manager and Girl Scout Leader (2002-present)
• Entrepreneur, owner and photographer, Candid Child (1999-2001)

Research Publications

• Naujokas MF, Southwood S, Mathies SJ, Appella E., Sette A, Miller J..
  T cell recognition of flanking residues of murine invariant chain-derived CLIP peptide bound to MHC class II..
  Cell Immunol. 1998 Aug 25;188(1):49-54.
• Brown DR, Swier K, Moskowitz NH, Naujokas MF, Locksley RM, Reiner SL.
  T helper subset differentiation in the absence of invariant chain.
  J Exp Med. 1997 Jan 6;185(1):31-41.
• Fineschi B, Arneson LS, Naujokas MF, Miller J.
  Proteolysis of major histocompatibility complex class II-associated invariant chain is regulated by the alternatively spliced gene product, p41.
  Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1995 Oct 24;92(22):10257-61.
• Naujokas MF, Arneson LS, Fineschi B, Peterson ME, Sitterding S, Hammond AT,
  Reilly C, Lo D, Miller J.
  Potent effects of low levels of MHC class II-associated invariant chain on CD4+ T cell development.
  Immunity. 1995 Sep;3(3):359-72.
• Naujokas MF, Morin M, Anderson MS, Peterson M, Miller J.
  The chondroitin sulfate form of invariant chain can enhance stimulation of T cell responses through interaction with CD44.
  Cell. 1993 Jul 30;74(2):257-68.
• Naujokas MF, Schmitt E, Finnegan A.
  Regulation of freshly isolated, IL-4-producing T cells: IFN-gamma-sensitive and -resistant cells.
  Lymphokine Cytokine Res. 1992 Jun;11(3):183-91.
• Seidenfeld J, Komar KA, Naujokas MF, Block AL.
  Reduced cytocidal efficacy for adriamycin in cultured human carcinoma cells depleted of polyamines by difluoromethylornithine treatment.
  Cancer Res. 1986 Mar;46(3):1155-9.
• Seidenfeld J, Komar KA, Naujokas MF, Block AL.
  Effects of DFMO-induced polyamine depletion on human tumor cell sensitivity to antineoplastic DNA-crosslinking drugs.
  Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 1986;17(1):16-20.
• Seidenfeld J, Block AL, Komar KA, Naujokas MF.
  Altered cell cycle phase distributions in cultured human carcinoma cells partially depleted of polyamines by treatment with difluoromethylornithine.
  Cancer Res. 1986 Jan;46(1):47-53.
• Prystowsky MB, Otten G, Naujokas MF, Vardiman J, Ihle JN, Goldwasser E, Fitch FW.
  Multiple hemopoietic lineages are found after stimulation of mouse bone marrow precursor cells with interleukin 3.
  Am J Pathol. 1984 Nov;117(2):171-9.
• Prystowsky MB, Naujokas MF, Ihle JN, Goldwasser E, Fitch FW.
  A microassay for colony-stimulating factor based on thymidine incorporation.
  Am J Pathol. 1984 Jan;114(1):149-56.
• Prystowsky MB, Ely JM, Naujokas MF, Goldwasser E, Fitch FW.
  Partial purification and characterization of a colony-stimulating factor secreted by a T lymphocyte clone.
  Exp Hematol. 1983 Nov;11(10):931-43.

Additional professional writing work (samples not publicly available):

1. For the U.S. EPA Office of Children’s Health Protection and Environmental Education (OCHPEE) (2009): “Safe and Effective Dosimetry of Inhaled Pharmaceuticals in Children: Lessons for Assessments of Inhaled Environmental Toxicants” by Marisa Naujokas, Ph.D. and Lara Pullen, Ph.D.
2. For the U.S. EPA OCHPEE (2008-2009): Technical review of U.S. EPA IRIS standards for acrylonitrile; arsenic; chloroform; chloroprene; dichloromethane; formaldehyde; methanol; and uranium. Marisa Naujokas, Ph.D., EJ Dell, Ph.D., and Lara Pullen, Ph.D.
3. For the U.S. ATSDR Centers for Disease Control (2008): “Optimizing the Triad of Care for Early Intervention: Helping Very Young Children (0-5 Years Old) with Autism Spectrum Disorders” by Marisa Naujokas, Ph.D. and Lara Pullen, Ph.D.
4. For the U.S. EPA OCHPEE (2008): “Lessons Learned: Reviewing Toxicological Reviews (TRs) for OCHPEE” by E.J. Dell, Ph.D., Marisa Naujokas, Ph.D., and Lara Pullen, Ph.D.
5. Continuing medical education newsletters on the following topics (2002-2007):
   • Advances in Understanding the Pathophysiology of Rheumatoid Arthritis
   • Evolving Views of B-Cell-Targeted Therapies in RA
   • Advances in MS Therapies: Risks and Rewards

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Dr. E.J. Dell

Dr. EJ Dell has a Ph.D. in pharmacology and brings to his work an understanding of chemistry and the body’s response to foreign chemicals. In addition to extensive lab experience, Dr. Dell has experience explaining complex scientific concepts to students of all levels. He provides scientific support for the Office of Children's Health Protection.

Professional Experience

• Health Scientist, Environmental Health Consulting (since 2003)
• Graduate Researcher, Northwestern Medical School
• Laboratory Technician, Dupont, Pfizer, ARCO

Specific Experience

• Currently reviews IRIS entries to determine if they are protective of children's health
• Lead Scientist performing critical reviews of chemical-specific Toxicological Reviews and Summaries for the U.S. EPA
• Authored, critically reviewed, and provided peer input on several publications in the biomedical sciences
• Performed internationally recognized research in the field of pharmacology

Education

• Northwestern University 1997-2003
    Ph.D. in Pharmacology
• Pennsylvania State University 1990-1995
    B.S. Chemistry

Training/Teaching

• Instructor and Teaching Assistant for Bioscience, Vanderbilt University
• Instructor of molecular biology and microbiology, Roosevelt University
• Teaching Assistant for graduate biochemistry, Northwestern University Medical School
• MCAT Instructor for organic chemistry, The Princeton Review

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Scottie Kersta-Wilson

Scottie Kersta-Wilson has extensive experience working with diverse groups of people to create quality products under tight deadlines. Ms. Kersta-Wilson brings her background in health communications and project management to her role at Environmental Health Consulting. At EHC she actively works with the health scientists to translate the technical accomplishments of EHC into a growing client and project base.

Professional Experience

• Environmental Health Consulting, Program Manager (since 2003)
• Independent Consultant—Instructional Design, training development (Web and paper-based), medical editing/writing and Web site maintenance
• e-Learning Consultant, Usertech
• Published writer and exhibiting artist

Specific Experience

• Assist in management of TEACH project
• Development of Web-based training in Grants Administration, Clinical Information Systems, Manufacturing, and Human Resources
• Instructional Design, Training Development, Technical Writing, Project Management, Digital Imaging

Education

• University of Chicago 2001-2002
    Certificate in Medical Writing/Editing
• University of Illinois at Chicago 1992-1995
    M.F.A. Photography/Computer Imaging
• University of Houston 1973-1975
    B.A. Sociology
• Baylor University 1971-1973

Training/Teaching

• Developed Web-based training for clinicians in use of electronic medical records system at Kaiser Permanente
• Developed and delivered PeopleSoft and SAP training to adults in various industries (manufacturing, academia, retail, and healthcare)
• Developed and delivered SAP Train-the-Trainer to senior engineers at Samsung
• Certified Developer for OnDemand Personal Navigation System and RapidBuilder (tools for Web-based training development)

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Barbara A. Miles

Barb Miles has extensive experience managing projects and developing systems to meet business needs. Her training in economics makes her ideally suited to manage the financial aspects of EHC. She actively works with the EHC team to optimize and systemize work flow.

Professional Experience

• Environmental Health Consulting, Business Manager (since 2005)
• E-Business Manager, Shure, Inc. Information Systems
• Project Manager, Peapod Inc.
• Quality Assurance Manager, Peapod, Inc.
• Quality Systems Senior Analyst, 3Com Global Information Systems
• Business Analyst, Northern Trust Bank

Specific Experience

• Manage all aspects of EHC finances
• Identify and implement software solutions to meet business needs
• Coordinate the replacement of computers  
• Provide monthly success measurements to team

Education

• Keller Graduate School of Management 2000 Project Management, Project Methodology
• University of Illinois at Chicago 1988-1992
    B.A. Economics 
• Software Engineering Institute 2001 Capability Maturity Modeling (CMM) Training
• Treasury Management Association 1999 Certification in Treasury Management

Training/Teaching

• Provided training on Image Workflow to staff and management at Northern Trust Bank
• Managed and trained volunteers for the Saint Nicholas Parish Holiday Festival Annual Fundraiser

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