RESUME
CHRISTOPHER P. WEIS, PhD, DABT
EXECUTIVE LEVEL SCIENTIST experienced at communicating complex issues to varied audiences in clear terms. Proven record designing evidence-based environmental investigations, acquisition of federal research funding, science implementation under extreme conditions, interpretation and multimedia communication of scientific results. Strong track record of building teams during emergency and long-term operations, developing strategies, and successfully leading objective oriented projects and programs through practical solutions. More than twenty-five years experience in pharmacology, toxicology, biophysics and comparative physiology ranging from the laboratory bench, to emergency field operations, to the offices of the NIH director and White House. Advanced experience in development of public health policy at the level of the Office of Science and Technology Policy involving issues of national and international concern. Defense of science and federal policies before Congress and the courts during legislative hearings, civil, and criminal litigation. In-depth understanding of federal policy through development, implementation, and enforcement of federal regulations.
Core Strengths:
Experience:
SENIOR ADVISOR TO THE DIRECTOR-Retired
National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Bethesda, MD 20892-2256
08/2010 – 12/2021
Toxicology Liaison and Senior Advisor to the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). Communication of goals and priorities of the Director to key officials of Federal research and regulatory agencies, representing the Director during policy and scientific decision making meetings of national and international committees and conferences relevant to emerging scientific initiatives in the human health fields. Provide advice and guidance to the Director and senior staff based on a working knowledge of the priorities, issues, and programs of Institute capabilities and other Federal agencies goals. Inform the Director and senior staff on national and international matters affecting the institute’s programs, goals and objectives. Serve as a liaison to external constituencies, congressional representatives, stakeholders, and advocacy groups as well as members of the National Toxicology Program community including CDC/NIOSH, FDA, NIH/NCI, ATSDR/NCEH, OSHA, CPSC, and EPA by sharing information regarding policies, priorities, plans, and programs at high level policy meetings. Provide advice, counsel, and support to the Director related to human health risks associated with exposure to agents of public health concern central to the NIEHS mission. Prepare and deliver presentations on scientific findings and policy implications for studies associated with a wide variety of biomedical and toxicological issues.
SENIOR TOXICOLOGIST
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Enforcement Investigations Center
06/02-7/10
Box 25227 Denver Federal Center
Denver, CO 80225
Directly managed or managed through team leaders, investigations and enforcement program activities that required efficient coordination of technical and scientific personnel such as engineers, chemists, microscopists, and technicians. Planned forensic investigations of complex crimes and occurrences of importance to the Federal government. Designed and implemented litigation-quality investigations using standard and emergent methods in forensic science to attribute chemical hazards to their sources. Collaborated with Federal, academic and industry groups to identify novel methods for determining attribution and assuring appropriate application of forensic techniques under ISO 17025 guidelines in support of high profile criminal and civil litigation. Defended these investigations and techniques on behalf of the government before Congress and in Federal courts. Regularly provided expert advice, counsel, and recommendations to the highest levels of the U.S. government. Advised legal staffs at the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorneys, U.S. Congress, EPA headquarters, EPA regional officials, state and local regulatory agencies on the science requirements and policy implications involved in conducting investigations of chemical or biological effects.
SENIOR TOXICOLOGIST AND NATIONAL ADVISOR
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-Region 8
09/93-06/02
999 18TH St., Ste. 300 / MC: 8EPR-PS
Denver, CO 80202-2405
National Advisor in the areas of toxicology and environmental risk evaluation. Conceptualized, developed and managed a large scientific support program that was operational during numerous federal emergency response actions. Provided specialized scientific advice and interpretations of toxicological, environmental, and pharmacological data regarding impacts on human health. Designed, contracted, and managed teams of scientists to ensure successful implementation of environmental data collection and laboratory research under Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). Implemented rapid risk assessments to determine chemical threats under extreme conditions (such as Capitol Hill Anthrax, etc.) and served as a science liaison to other federal agencies during response actions. Provided advice and counsel to senior management regarding scientific aspects of emergency response conditions.
PROFESSOR (adjunct)
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Skaggs School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
1999-2020
Denver, CO
Provided structured lecture and seminar courses to medical and professional students in toxicology within the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Provided instruction in applied toxicology, regulatory toxicology, and forensics to physicians and graduate students enrolled in the occupational medicine fellowship program and the program in Toxicology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, CO.
REGIONAL TOXICOLOGIST
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-Region 8
07/89-09/93:
999 18TH St., Ste. 500 / MC: 8EPR-PS
Denver, CO 80202-2405
Conceptualized, developed, and implemented initiatives to assess and protect public health during exposure to chemicals biological substances and other stressors. Provided specialized interpretation of human exposure data and health-related scientific information for the purpose of public health policy formulation and regional decision-making. Regularly provided scientific advice and counsel to senior management, other federal agencies, and the public for evaluation of toxicological, biochemical, epidemiological, and pharmacological data regarding impacts of environmental contaminants, pathogens, and other stressors on human health. Stressors include; pathological agents, biological toxins, radiological, chemical, and ordinance munitions, heavy metals, solvents and pesticides. Provided assistance for both emergency and non-emergency activity throughout EPA Region VIII and nationally. Conceptualized and managed a national research program including budgets and contract personnel for the purpose of ensuring successful implementation of toxicological and risk assessment investigations under federal quality assurance guidelines (40 CFR, part 792) aimed at filling data gaps in exposure and risk assessment for adult, fetal, and childhood exposure to environmental stressors.
EDUCATION:
President, American Board of Toxicology (2017-2018) (active diplomate since 1992) American Board of Toxicology, Raleigh, NC.
Adjoint Professor, University of Colorado, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (1998-2020)
NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship: University of Virginia School of Medicine.
Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Ph.D.,Toxicology and Medical Physiology Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. Program in Biophysics Department of Physiology/Biophysics, East Lansing, MI 48824
B.S. General Biology (5/1981) Grand Valley University, Allendale, MI 49401
Security Clearance: TS/SCI (inactive)
ICS training through 400 level
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