Peter Thorne, University of Iowa professor and head of the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, has been appointed chair of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Science Advisory Board (SAB). He will serve for the next two years.

The SAB was created by Congress in 1978 to ensure that the EPA applies the best science in its decision making. It provides scientific advice to the EPA Administrator by reviewing the quality and relevance of scientific and technical information being used by the EPA as the basis for regulations; it reviews EPA research programs and plans; and advises the EPA Administrator on broad scientific matters.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Thorne as chair of the Science Advisory Board,” said Chris Zarba, Director of SAB Staff. “In the days ahead we have a number of very important reviews that the SAB will be engaging in. We look forward to his leadership on these topics.”

Working with agency staff designated to support the SAB and the 47 members of the Board, Thorne will be responsible for setting agendas and presiding at SAB meetings, guiding discussions and seeking consensus on committee reports, and serving as spokesperson for the panel.

“I am honored to have this opportunity to serve with other Scientific Advisory Board members, who are the nation’s top scholars in environmental health sciences and engineering,” said Thorne. “Together, our work will help ensure that the EPA uses the highest quality and most up to date science available in pursuing its mission to protect human health and the environment.”

Thorne also directs the UI Environmental Health Sciences Research Center and is associate director of the UI Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Human Toxicology. His research interests include toxicology, exposure science and environmental lung disease and he is recognized internationally for his work on the adverse effects of bioaerosols and their relationship to asthma. He also serves on the National Research Council’s Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology.

Bill Field, UI professor of occupational and environmental health, also is a member of the EPA’s Science Advisory Board.