“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 after becoming editor-in-chief. (Photo courtesy of Joel Kaufman)Environmental Health Perspectives(https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/) (EHP) Editor-in-Chief Joel Kaufman, M.D., was among 100 new members elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) Oct. 19 in recognition of outstanding professional achievements and commitment to service. EHP is a scientific journal published by NIEHS.
“This is a tremendous honor, and it primarily reflects the opportunities I have had to work with terrific collaborators across many fields of study,” said Kaufman.
Being elected to the academy is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine. New members are chosen by current members through a process that recognizes individuals who have made major contributions to the advancement of medical sciences, health care, and public health.
Long track record
Kaufman, an NIEHS grant recipient, is an internationally recognized leader in understanding the health effects of air pollution. He was among the first to establish and clarify the surprising link between air pollution and atherosclerosis, which is an inflammatory process in the arteries that causes most heart attacks and strokes.
Initially trained as a physician, Kaufman received clinical training and practice experience in internal medicine and occupational and environmental medicine. He spent several years in research and public health practice at the state level, focused on occupational health and epidemiology.
More than two decades ago, Kaufman joined the faculty at the University of Washington (UW), where he has maintained a funded research program that spans epidemiology, clinical investigation, exposure science, and toxicology.
In January, he joined EHP as editor-in-chief, providing high-level strategic direction and leadership while continuing his research and teaching duties at UW.
“Joel Kaufman’s election to the National Academy of Medicine confirms what many of us already knew — that he is one of the top scientists in his field,” said NIEHS and National Toxicology Program Director Rick Woychik, Ph.D. “NIEHS is proud to celebrate Kaufman and his accomplishments as he continues to put science to work for the benefit of public health.”
Commitment to service
With their election, Kaufman and his peers make a commitment to volunteer their services for National Academies activities. NAM works alongside the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation, and it conducts other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions.
For example, the Environmental Health Matters Initiative, organized by the National Academies and co-sponsored by NIEHS, has brought together experts to discuss pressing issues such as forever chemicals known as PFAS and airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
Citation: Kaufman JD, Adar SD, Barr RG, Budoff M, Burke GL, Curl CL, Daviglus ML, Diez Roux AV, Gassett AJ, Jacobs DR Jr, Kronmal R, Larson TV, Navas-Acien A, Olives C, Sampson PD, Sheppard L, Siscovick DS, Stein JH, Szpiro AA, Watson KE. 2016. Association between air pollution and coronary artery calcification within six metropolitan areas in the USA (the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and Air Pollution): a longitudinal cohort study. Lancet 388(10045):696−704.
(Marla Broadfoot, Ph.D., is a contract writer for the NIEHS Office of Communications and Public Liaison.)
