Kristina Zierold

Kristina Zierold
Associate Professor

Associate Professor (P), Environmental Health Sciences , School of Public Health 2018 -
Scientist (C), Civitan International Research Center , Academic Joint Departments 2019 -

Overview

Dr. Zierold is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences. She received a BS in Chemical Engineering (1994) from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and an MS in Chemical Engineering (1996) from Vanderbilt University. Dr. Zierold earned her PhD in Public Health (specializing in Environmental/Occupational Health Sciences and Epidemiology) form the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2001. After finishing her PhD, Dr. Zierold was an Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Officer with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2001-2003). The EIS is an elite team of doctoral level scientists who work on the frontlines of public health to investigate disease outbreaks, clusters, occupational and environmental hazards, and to respond to natural disasters, emergencies, and public health problems throughout the world. It is a two-year program.

Research Overview

Dr. Zierold's research involves applying environmental and occupational health and epidemiology methods and concepts to community-based problems. She has worked with many diverse populations in community, clinical, and industrial settings. Dr. Zierold's education and training included quantitative and qualitative research methods, as well as exposure assessment and industrial hygiene techniques; therefore her research utilizes mixed-methods designs when applicable. Dr. Zierold has been principal investigator on grants funded by NIEHS, NIOSH, and foundations.

Keywords: Air pollution, coal ash, environmental epidemiology, children's environmental health, community-based research, adverse outcomes from exposure to heavy metals, work-related injury in children and adolescents

Principal Investigator On

Coal Ash and Neurobehavioral Symptoms in Children Aged 6-14 Years Old. awarded by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/NIH/DHHS 2018 - 2021

Teaching Overview

Dr. Zierold is the primary course instructor for ENH660 Fundamentals of Air and Water Pollution. She has a strong interest in working with doctoral and masters students. She has chaired or has been a committee member on 16 dissertation and thesis committees for PhD and MS students. She has worked with over 10 MPH students on their practicums or internships.