Jeremy M. Gernand

Jeremy M. Gernand is an Associate Professor of Environmental Health and Safety Engineering at the John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering within the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University. He also serves as the Undergraduate Program Chair of Environmental Systems Engineering. Dr. Gernand joined Penn State in August 2013 following the completion of his Ph.D. in Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University.

Dr. Gernand's educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University (2013)
• M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University (2007)
• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University (1998)

His research focuses on improving how engineers and policymakers understand and manage environmental health and safety (EHS) risks associated with technology. Dr. Gernand's work spans several key areas including characterizing real-world pollutant exposures, estimating health impacts, evaluating relevant policy, understanding nano- and ultrafine particle toxicity, assessing policy efficiency and efficacy, and examining cognitive biases in engineering risk assessments. He applies quantitative risk analysis methods, probabilistic models, and data informatics, including machine learning techniques, to address complex EHS challenges.

Analysis of Dr. Gernand's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on risk assessment methodologies, environmental exposure characterization, and the intersection of engineering decision-making with policy implementation. His work spans multiple disciplines including environmental engineering, toxicology, occupational safety, and behavioral economics, with particular emphasis on nanoparticle toxicity, air quality impacts from energy development, and cognitive biases in engineering risk assessment.

Dr. Gernand has received numerous awards and recognitions for his work:

• Joseph Kreutzberger Early Career Professorship in Earth and Mineral Sciences (2022-2025)
• Gladys Snyder Junior Faculty Grant from Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (2019)
• Virginia S. and Phillip L. Walker Faculty Fellowship (2014-2015)
• Gladys Snyder Junior Faculty Grant from Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (2014)
• NASA Quality Assurance Special Achievement Recognition (QASAR)
• NASA Group Achievement Award

Dr. Gernand actively mentors students at various levels, supervising both graduate and undergraduate researchers. His research group investigates air quality impacts of Marcellus shale gas production, engineered nanoparticle toxicity, consumer aerosol exposure risks, advanced data analysis techniques for particulate exposure, government safety regulation effectiveness, and cognitive biases in engineering risk decision-making. He has secured funding from agencies including the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to support his research initiatives.

Dr. Gernand leads a dynamic research group comprising visiting scholars, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate and undergraduate students focused on environmental health and safety engineering challenges. His team employs cutting-edge risk assessment tools, including machine learning and artificial intelligence applications, to address complex environmental exposure and safety issues. The group maintains strong connections with industry partners and government agencies working in energy, environmental protection, and occupational safety sectors.