Center for a Livable Future Fellows Announced

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria in our food system, the environmental and human health impacts of animal waste and the pathogens found in oysters are among the topics being researched by this year’s pre-doctoral fellows at the Center for a Livable Future (CLF) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Fellowship recipients are Jay Graham, Keeve Nachman, Sharon Nappier and Lance Price. Now in its third year, the awards are given to Johns Hopkins University pre-doctoral students committed to the discovery and application of knowledge about the environmental, economic, social and health effects of industrial animal production and practices in the United States or abroad. The grants, in amounts up to $50,000, can be used for tuition and research expenses.

Jay P. Graham, a third-year student in the Bloomberg School’s Department of Environmental Health Sciences, earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Arkansas, and his master of business administration and master of public health degrees from the University of Texas. Graham is examining the environmental impact of the disposal of animal waste from concentrated animal feeding operations. His research interests began with a concern about disposal of human waste (known as biosolids) but he shifted his studies to industrial animal waste management, because of what he views as a lack of public policies governing this public health issue. Graham’s doctoral advisor is Ellen K. Silbergeld, PhD, professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences.

Sharon P. Nappier, a second-year student in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at the Bloomberg School, attended George Washington University where she earned her bachelor’s degree. She earned her MSPH from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Nappier is comparing how oysters from the Chesapeake Bay and non-native oysters rid themselves of pathogens. She hopes her research will help policy makers understand the potential human health impact of the introduction of non-native species of oysters to the Bay, which is under consideration in Maryland. Her broader interest is in the sources of these pathogens—human and industrial animal waste—and their impact on the environment and public health. Nappier’s doctoral advisors are Kellogg Schwab, PhD, and Thaddeus Graczyk, PhD, both associate professors with the Bloomberg School’s Department of Environmental Health Sciences.

Keeve E. Nachman, a fourth year student in the Bloomberg School’s Department of Health Policy and Management, earned his bachelor of art degree from Johns Hopkins University and a master of health science from the Bloomberg School of Public Health. This is his second year as a CLF Fellow. Nachman’s doctoral work concentrates on how exposure to arsenic used in the industrial production of poultry effects the environment and the public’s health. Nachman plans to use his knowledge of environmental health policy and risk assessment to analyze arsenic concentrations in raw poultry house waste, pelletized waste sold as fertilizer, ash left from incineration of waste and soils amended with waste. Nachman’s doctoral advisors are Thomas A. Burke, PhD, MPH, professor and associate chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management, and Ellen Silbergeld.

Lance B. Price is in his third year of studies in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at the Bloomberg School, as well as a third-year CLF Fellow. Price earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology and microbiology from Northern Arizona University. His doctoral work focuses on antibiotic resistance related to food-animal production practices. His studies compared the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria on various retail poultry products. Price also studies the exposure risks of poultry workers and their families to antibiotic-resistant bacteria and he has tracked the source of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in humans and in consumer products. Mr. Price’s doctoral advisor is Dr. Silbergeld.--Donna Mennitto