Kimberly Garrett

She engages in interdisciplinary research on chemical pollution and exposures, examining relationships between chemicals and social systems through the lenses of exposure science, public health, gender studies, sociology, and critical cartography. Her recent work focuses on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pollution and the spatial distribution of PFAS sources, along with the sociological impacts of contamination. Dr. Garrett’s work encompasses many 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. Her methodology varies across projects and includes analytical chemistry techniques, exposure modeling, spatial analysis, and qualitative methods such as interviewing and media analysis. She works collaboratively with diverse groups of researchers, students, and communities impacted by chemical contamination.Dr. Garrett shares her enthusiasm for science through collaboration, mentoring, and teaching. In teaching, she emphasizes interdisciplinary research, along with egalitarianism, situatedness, and accessibility. Dr. Garrett’s science communication work has been featured in Scientific American, Grist, Newsweek, Hell Gate, and the podcast Ologies, among other outlets. Outside of the lab and classroom, Dr. Garrett’s favorite activities are birdwatching, biking, and spending time with her two pet pigeons.