David Grass

David Grass

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

Dept. of Earth and Environmental Science

Columbia University

Phone: (845) 365-8353

RESEARCH

I am currently in my final year as a graduate student in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University. My research has focused on the human health impacts of air pollution. Specifically, I work on partitioning the effects of air pollution and weather on human mortality in Santiago, Chile and New York City and predicting how the frequency of high risk weather patterns will be affected by global climate change. I also study how the air quality in the New York City subway system differs from the air aboveground and have completed a study evaluating the potential for health risks for subway workers due to steel dust exposure.

EDUCATION

B.A., Chemsitry and Environmental Studies, Middlebury College, 1999
M.A., Earth and Environmental Science, Columbia University, 2003

PhD, Earth and Environmental Science, Columbia University (expected May 2007)

HONORS & AWARDS

EPA Star Fellowship for Graduate Study, 4/10/2003
Sara Langer Book Prize, 12/11/2003
NSF IGERT Fellowship in Applied Mathematics and Earth & Environmental Science, 9/2002

Fulbright Scholar, Project titled: “Lichens as Bioindicators of Air Pollution in Chile.” 7/2000

INTERESTS

Human Health Impacts of Climate Change

Urban Air Pollution

Occupational Safety and Industrial Hygiene

Post 9/11 Air-quality in New York City

PROJECTS

Partitioning the Effects of Weather and Air Pollution on Human Mortality in Santiago, Chile

Particulate Metals in the New York City Subway System

PUBLICATIONS

Steven N. Chillrud, David Grass, James M. Ross, Drissa Coulibaly et al. Steel Dust in the New York City Subway System as a Source of Manganese, Chromium, and Iron Exposures for Transit Workers, Journal of Urban Health, v81: 33-42, 2005.