Kimberly K. Garrett

PhD, MPH

I'm

About

I’m an assistant professor and environmental health researcher working at the intersection of environmental toxicology, public health, and environmental justice.

Environmental Health Scientist

Current Work:

  • Position: Assistant Professor
  • Institution: City University of New York School of Public Health and Health Policy
  • Department: Environmental, Occupational, and Geospatial Health Sciences
  • City: New York, NY, USA
  • Teaching: EOHS 627 Noise Radiation Hazard Control

My work situates chemical toxicology within built, natural, and social environments. My recent work focuses on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pollution and spatial distribution of PFAS sources, along with the sociological impacts of contamination. My work encompasses a variety of environmental health topics including toxicity assessment and antidote development of mitochondrial poisons, climate-change mediated anthrax outbreaks, HIV prevention, and theoretical work connecting scientific rhetoric and environmental policy. My methodology varies across projects and includes analytical chemistry techniques, exposure modeling, spatial analysis, and qualitative methods including interviewing and media analysis.

I share my enthusiasm for science through collaboration, mentoring, and teaching. In teaching, I emphasize interdisciplinary research, along with egalitarianism, situatedness, and accessibility. My science communication work has been featured in a variety of national outlets.

Outside of the lab, my favorite activities are birdwatching, biking, and spending time with my two pet pigeons.

Resume

You can download a more extensive CV here

Education

Doctorate of Philosophy in Environmental and Occupational Health

December 2021

University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA

Dissertation: Potential Antidotes to Phosphine Poisoning

Advisor: Dr. Jim Peterson

Masters of Public Health in Environmental and Occupational Health

May 2017

University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA

Environmental Health Risk Assessment Certificate

Masters Thesis: The effect of Climate Change on Risk of Anthrax Infection in the Kobuk Valley, Alaska

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science

January 2015

Allegheny College, Meadville, PA

Minor in Women’s Studies

Professional Research Experience

Assistant Professor

August 2025 - Present

CUNY School of Public Health and Health Policy, department of Environmental, Occupational, and Geospatial Health Sciences, New York, NY

Postdoctoral Research Associate

March 2022 - June 2025

Northeastern University, Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute, Boston, MA

  • Led spatial analyses of PFAS contamination sources across the US toward the goal of developing intersectional risk assessments
  • Worked collaboratively on community-based participatory research into the social impacts of PFAS contamination in two New England communities

Graduate Student Researcher

2016 - 2021

University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Pittsburgh, PA

  • Identified novel transition-metal based candidate antidotes to mitochondrial inhibitors phosphine, cyanide, and azide

Research Assistant

2016 - 2017

Carnegie Mellon University, Department of Decision Science, Pittsburgh, PA

  • Prevention Options for Women Evaluation Research (POWER) project, designed and assessed behavioral health surveys of factors on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis use in at-risk populations in Kenya and South Africa

Publications

Papers


REVERSE PUBLICATION ORDER

Garrett, K. K., Ciaranca, S., Say, V., Cordner, A., Haberlack, E., Hopkins, C., Lengefeld, M., and Brown, P. (2025). The Landscape of PFAS Contamination in the United States: Sources and Spatial Patterns. Environmental Science & Technology. In press.

Garrett, K. K., Mok, K., Brown, P., Schaider, L. M., Powers, M., Fitzstevens, M., Amico, A., Osimo, C., Cordner, A., Carignan, C. (2024). REACHing for PFAS Solutions: Comparisons Across Two Communities Impacted by Drinking Water Contamination. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. DOI:10.1007/s13412-024-00994=2

Pearce, L. L., Garrett, K. K., Totoni, S., Bae, Y., Frawley, K., Peterson, J. (2024). A Potential Antidote for both Azide and Cyanide Poisonings. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 388 (2), 596-604. DOI:10.1124/jpet.123.001719

Salvatore, D., Mok, K., Garrett, K.K., Poudrier, G., Brown, P. Birnbaum, L., Goldenman, G., Miller, M., Patton, S., Poehlein, M., Varshavsky, J., & Cordner, A. (2022). Presumptive Contamination: A New Approach to PFAS Contamination Based on Likely Sources. Environmental Science & Technology Letters. DOI:10.1021/acs.estlett.2c00502

Garrett, K. K., Frawley, K. L., Totoni, S. C., Bae, Y., Peterson, J., & Pearce, L. L. (2019). The Antidotal Action of Some Gold (I) Complexes Toward Phosphine Toxicity. Chemical Research in Toxicology. DOI:10.1021/acs.chemrestox.9b00095

Praekunatham, H., Garrett, K. K., Bae, Y., Cronican, A. A., Frawley, K. L., Pearce, L. L. & Peterson J. (2019). A Cobalt Schiff-base Complex as a Putative Therapeutic for Azide Poisoning. Chemical Research in Toxicology. DOI:10.1021/acs.chemrestox.9b00229


Other Writing


REVERSE PUBLICATION ORDER

Garrett, K. K.(2024). "Op-ed: Oklahoma's wastewater bill targeting toxics isn't about health or the environment." Environmental Health News

Garrett, K. K., Brown, P., Varshavsky, J., & Cordner, A. (2022). Improving Governance of “Forever Chemicals” in the US and Beyond. OneEarth. DOI:10.1016/j.oneear.2022.10.003


Talks and Selected Media Interviews


REVERSE PUBLICATION ORDER

Bregel, S. (2025). "Weaponized Environmentalism?" A Texas Republican wants to test wastewater for abortion medication. Fast Company

Sutherland, C. (2025). Jackson to test Cache, Flat creeks for toxic PFAS. Jackson Hole News & Guide.

Hughes, A. (2024). Tribes addressing the "forever chemical" problem. Native America Calling.

Garrett, K. K. (2024). "Forever Chemicals" in our Environment. Penn State Extension Water Cooler Talks.

Garrett, K. K. (2023). PFAS Contamination on Tribal Lands*. Tribal PFAS Working Group.

Teirstein, Z. (2023). What one school's fight to eliminate PFAS says about Indian Country's "forever chemical" problem. Grist.

Krumme, M. (2023). How does Wisconsin's proposed PFAS legislation compare to other states? Wisconsin Public Radio.

Davis, B. W. (2023). Is MLB really going to make the Yankees and the White Sox play today? Hell Gate

Bartels, M. (2023). Chemical health risks from the Ohio train accident - What we know so far. Scientific American.

Youmshajekian, L. (2023). You're probably awash in 'forever chemicals.' Here's why that matters. ScienceLine.

Cordner, A. & Garrett, K. (2022). Presumptive Contamination: A New Approach to PFAS Contamination Based on Likely Sources Collaborative on Health and the Environment PFAS Webinar Series.

Janae, D. (2021). Meet Pittsburgh's pigeon whisperer: Kim Garrett. Pittsburgh City Paper.


Podcasts


Contact

Kimberly K. Garrett

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