UIS Public Health Professor Sharron LaFollette appointed to CDC Board

Sharron LaFollette, professor of public health at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been appointed to a 3-year term on a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) board tasked with protecting America’s health.

The Board of Scientific Counselors for National Center of Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry provides advice and guidance regarding program goals, objectives, strategies, and priorities in fulfillment of the agencies’ mission to protect and promote people’s health.

“I am honored to be appointed to the BSC and appreciate the confidence placed in me to provide unbiased review of scientific information and public policy important to protecting public and environmental health,” said LaFollette.

LaFollette earned her Ph.D. in toxicology from Oregon State University 1989 and a master’s degree in biology from Sangamon State University (now UIS) in 1980.

Prior to joining academia, she spent eight years in Illinois government conducting multi-media risk assessments and providing risk communication and educational programs for physicians, public health professionals, and the general public.

She taught and was director of the Environmental Health Program at Illinois State University for eight years before coming to UIS where she is in her fourteen year.

During her time at UIS, she has served as Chair the Department of Environmental Studies and most recently as Chair of the Public Health Department. In addition, she served for a number of years as chair of Graduate Council.

She is currently the Graduate Chair of the National Environmental Health Science & Protection Accreditation Council where she also served for a six years as General Chair. LaFollette is past-president of the Association of Environmental Health Academic Programs, and past-president of the Illinois Environmental Health Association.

Her research and consulting are in risk evaluation, risk communication, workforce development, indoor air quality impact on health, and radon levels related to building dynamics.