Joel Kaufman, M.D., has been named the new editor in chief of Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP), a journal published by NIEHS. Kaufman will assume the new role on Feb. 1, upon retirement of the current editor, Sally Darney, Ph.D.
In his vision statement, Kaufman indicated that he will work to ensure that EHP is recognized as the jewel of the National Institutes of Health that it is. (Photo courtesy of Joel Kaufman)Kaufman is professor of environmental and occupational health sciences, medicine, and epidemiology at the University of Washington (UW). He previously served there as interim dean for the School of Public Health.
Well-known for his research program, more than 200 published research papers, and review articles, Kaufman brings extensive experience in public health practice and research to EHP. Since joining the UW faculty more than two decades ago, he has maintained a research program in epidemiology, inhalation toxicology, clinical medicine, and exposure sciences.
Researcher and editor
Kaufman will provide guidance to EHP while continuing his work at UW. The arrangement reflects a recent change to the journal’s editorial model that enables the editor in chief to continue conducting research and teaching at their home institution. Under Kaufman’s direction, day-to-day operations for the journal will be carried out by full-time federal staff, including the chief operating officer and senior science editor.
“My vision for the journal is a simple one: EHP is and should remain the premier international scholarly journal of the environmental health sciences,” said Kaufman. “Environmental health science comprises several contributing scientific disciplines, and EHP should work to publish the most exciting and dynamic findings from each of these disciplines.”
Kaufman will also serve as the face of EHP, representing the journal to the global environmental health sciences community through strategic outreach activities, speaking engagements, and editorials.
During his career, Kaufman has served on editorial boards and peer review panels for many of the leading clinical medicine and environmental health journals, including on the Editorial Review Board and as an associate editor at EHP. He stepped down from those responsibilities to take over as interim dean of the UW School of Public Health in 2016.
Strategic direction
A reproductive toxicologist by training, Darney has provided leadership and scientific vision to EHP since 2015. (Photo courtesy of Steve McCaw)A leading publication with a Journal Impact Factor of 8.05, EHP is issued monthly and is available free online. The journal’s mission is to publish high-quality original research, reviews, commentaries, and news on all established and emerging disciplines that examine the relationship between the environment and health.
Kaufman will have editorial independence to provide the high-level strategic direction and leadership necessary to sustain and enhance EHP’s high standards and stature in the environmental health research community. As editor in chief, he will be responsible for ensuring EHP content is of high integrity, advances the state of environmental health knowledge, and promotes translation of knowledge into environmental health action, which is consistent with the mission and vision of NIEHS.
“Dr. Kaufman is highly respected for his broad and distinguished research experience. He understands the interdisciplinary nature of environmental health sciences, and that’s what we need to maximize the journal’s potential for improving people’s health,” said NIEHS Acting Director Rick Woychik, Ph.D. “I am confident that Dr. Kaufman will continue EHP’s tradition of excellence built by the exceptional leadership of Dr. Darney and previous journal editors.”
(Marla Broadfoot, Ph.D., is a contract writer for the NIEHS Office of Communications and Public Liaison.)
