As an environmental health specialist, my research and capacity development work addresses the challenges facing vulnerable populations (women, children and workers) exposed to hazardous chemicals and regulators in low and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa. My contribution to Africa and globally to the field of environmental health has been in the areas of pesticides and other chemicals, risk communication, climate change and children’s health.
I have over 30 years of experience in research, capacity building (e.g., curriculum and training development, facilitation and teaching, knowledge management) and policy analysis. My expertise includes exposure assessment, risk management, risk communication, risk perceptions, intervention development for low literate populations, and translating research for the public and decision-makers.
Academic programmes I have developed include UCT's blended learning post graduate Diploma in Pesticide Risk Management (DPRM) structured around the FAO/WHO Code of Conduct on Pesticides Management, a Master of Public Health Environmental Health track and an online Professional Masters in Chemicals Risk Management. I am currently a WHO expert advisor and panel member for the FAO/WHO Joint Meeting on Pesticide Management (JMPM). Since 1997 I founder and moderate an innovative electronic networking pesticide Community of Practice that link experts, regulators and inspectors from the global south and north to collectively problem-solve on challenges faced by low and middle income countries. I have published extensively in the areas of pesticides, chemicals, climate change, and children’s health, as well as developed over 50 risk communication materials for vulnerable populations in Africa, as well as policy makers.
Read my academic publications here, and learn more about my work here.
