EPA Appoints Barbara D. Beck as Vice-Chair to the Science Advisory Board
[October 14, 2020] – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced the appointment of Dr. John D. Graham to serve as Chair of the Science Advisory Board (SAB) and Dr. Barbara D. Beck to serve as Vice-Chair of the SAB. Dr. Beck will continue her consulting practice at Gradient throughout her term as Vice-Chair of the SAB.
Dr. Beck is currently a member of the SAB and will now serve as Vice-Chair, working with Dr. Graham on a broad range of environmental science and technology topics relevant to EPA’s mission. Participation is a public service to the Agency and the country whereby SAB members and chairs help to ensure that Agency decisions are based on the best and most current science.
Below is a general list of the SAB responsibilities Dr. Beck will help to oversee:
- Review the quality and relevance of the scientific and technical analysis being used by EPA or proposed as the basis for Agency regulations;
- Review EPA research programs and plans;
- Provide science advice as requested by the EPA Administrator; and
- Advise the Agency on broad scientific matters.
The work of the SAB is performed by the chartered SAB along with, as appropriate, any of the four standing sub-committees (Agricultural Science Committee, Chemical Assessment Advisory Committee, Drinking Water Committee, and Radiation Advisory Committee) or other ad hoc committees, panels, and work groups.
Dr. Beck is an expert in toxicology and human health risk assessment for environmental chemicals, especially metals and air pollutants. Her broad experience in risk assessment includes toxicological evaluations of many different types of chemicals, along with the development of evaluation methodologies. Dr. Beck is the author of over 100 book chapters and journal articles. Several of her publications have received awards from organizations such as the Society of Toxicology’s Risk Assessment Specialty Section and EPA. Dr. Beck’s participation in advisory committees and expert panels, such as the National Research Council, the International Life Sciences Institute, and her local Board of Health, has spanned over 30 years. Before joining Gradient, she was Chief of Air Toxics Staff for EPA Region I. Prior to that, she was a Fellow in the Interdisciplinary Programs in Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Beck on this important new service role!
Relevant Links from EPA:
EPA Announces New Chair and Vice-Chair
About the Science Advisory Board
Contact the Science Advisory Board
