Sally Gutierrez has been appointed Director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL) in Cincinnati. Gutierrez will direct over 380 scientists, engineers and support staff whose mission is to develop ways to prevent and reduce pollution and restore ecosystems.
"Ms. Gutierrez’s exceptional leadership, and extensive knowledge in the area of risk management will be instrumental as we advance the research of how to solve our environmental challenges," said E. Timothy Oppelt, acting assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “She brings outstanding management credentials and unique technical experience directing both water quality and drinking water risk management programs,” he said.
Gutierrez joined the EPA in 2000 as director of NRMRL’s Water Supply and Water Resources Division. She has served as acting director of the laboratory since October 2004. Prior to working for the EPA, Gutierrez directed the Water Utilities Division of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (now Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) where she was responsible for managing the state’s public water supply programs under the Safe Drinking Water Act. She received a bachelor’s from the University of Houston and a master’s in environmental science from the University of Texas School of Public Health.
The laboratory has headquarters in Cincinnati and divisions in North Carolina, Oklahoma and a branch in New Jersey. Leading edge research is conducted at the laboratory to advance scientific understanding and development and application of technological solutions to prevent, control, or remediate important environmental problems that threaten human health and the environment.
Laboratory research includes: drinking water protection; watershed management and protection; air pollution control; environmental technology verification; pollution prevention; technology transfer and technical support; and contaminated media remediation. For more information, please visit: www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL. For more information on EPA’s Office of Research and Development, visit: www.epa.gov/ORD.
EPA relies on quality science as the basis for sound policy and decision-making. EPA’s laboratories and research centers, and EPA’s research grantees, are building the scientific foundation needed to support the agency’s mission to safeguard human health and the environment.
Source: EPA