Work: My research and teaching interests involve chemical handling, exposure monitoring and controls, application of engineering controls for highly hazardous substances, including highly hazardous agents such as antineoplastic (chemotherapy) agents, development of methods for detection and quantification of potentially hazardous agents where methods are not available, or existing methods are not adequate for current standards. Also, I enjoy teaching the potential concerns associated with physical (ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, and noise) and biological (microbial, insect, communicable disease, etc.) contaminants.
Other research interests also include development of methods for identification and quantification of chemical and radiological agents that may be used for terrorism. Also, research on methods for decontamination of such chemical and/or physical agents to provide for safe and rapid neutralization of released or formed contaminants.
I also enjoy work and research relative to indoor environmental quality, such as indoor air quality and identifying methods to detect and quantify chemical and/or biological contaminants within a home or office type environment, and researching methods to adequately prevent or control such contamination. These prevention measures may include design of ventilation control systems with special filtration systems, chemical decontamination, application of biocides, etc.
Family: We have a son and a daughter and two granddaughters. My wife, Janice, received her Associates at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan and has been instrumental in managing the occupational and environmental business with Rod over the last 14 years. Our Son, Chris, received his bachelors degree in chemical engineering from the University of Virginia and Masters in Chemical Engineering from Columbia University. Our Daughter Julie received her bachelors in Business and Masters in Business (MBA) from Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Texas . Our granddaughters live in the Houston area. Rosaline, 6, and Jacqueline, 3, are both in school, 2nd grade and pre-kindergarten respectively. Both are very impressive ladies for their size.
Interests: Interested in woodwork, hiking, sight-seeing, computer games, and planning to get involved in more outdoor activities in Utah.
Proudest Accomplishment: Professionally, I am most proud of the development of a method for detection of five antineoplastic agents in air at concentrations less than 1.0 ppb, and a surface monitoring method for the same five agents at equivalently low concentrations of detection. I look forward to the accomplishments of graduates of the University of Utah Industrial Hygiene Program and continuation of research in the areas related to controlling exposures to chemotherapy agents.