By Stella Wang, Nicholas School Communications Student Assistant

DURHAM, N.C. – Kate Hoffman, a research assistant professor at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, has been awarded the 2018 Joan M. Daisey Outstanding Young Scientist Award for her contributions to the science of human exposure.

Hoffman was recognized for her work to evaluate the impacts of early-life exposure to indoor environmental contaminants on the long-term health of pregnant women and young children – including how children’s exposure to chemicals in their homes may affect the efficacy of vaccines, and how maternal exposure to plastics during pregnancy can affect infant birth weight.

The International Society of Exposure Science (ISES) presented her the award at its annual meeting in Ottawa, Canada, last month.

“I’ve been lucky to work with some great people, and it’s wonderful to see our hard work recognized. I’m pleased to have been nominated for the Daisey Award,” says Hoffman, who is a member of Heather Stapleton’s toxicology and environmental health lab at the Nicholas School.

“It’s fantastic to see the Exposure Science Society recognize Dr. Hoffman’s accomplishments.  Her research on children and infants’ exposure to organic contaminants has been fundamental in raising awareness about potential health concerns from exposure,” says Stapleton, who is the Dan and Bunny Gabel Associate Professor of Environmental Ethics and Sustainable Environmental Management.

ISES is a nonprofit organization that looks to advance exposure science. The society hosts various scientific symposia and an annual conference, as well as publishing newsletters and journals to promote the exchange of ideas among its members, who come from various disciplines and backgrounds.

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