Margaret M. MacDonell

Margaret M. MacDonell is an Adjunct Professor at Northwestern University and a senior researcher at Argonne National Laboratory. With over 25 years of experience in integrated health risk analysis, she has led federal programs focused on environmental protection, radiological risk assessment, and public health initiatives. Her work spans collaboration with the Department of Energy (DOE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), addressing legacy waste sites, dioxin toxicity, and international mercury risk reduction.

• Education:
  • B.S. in Biology (with honors), University of Notre Dame, 1979
  • M.S. in Civil/Environmental Health Engineering, University of Notre Dame, 1981
  • Ph.D. in Civil/Environmental Health Engineering, Northwestern University, 1986

Her research focuses on environmental risk assessment, cumulative health impacts of chemical/radiological exposures, and mobile citizen sensing technologies. She has contributed to national screening approaches for risk assessments, developed health-based exposure advisories, and supported DOE and National Science Foundation (NSF) underground research facilities planning.

Scientific Awards and Memberships:

• Fellow, Society for Risk Analysis (2004-present)
• Argonne Pacesetter Award (2006, 1991)
• Senior Fellow, University of Chicago (2004-2007)
• Member, National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (2004-2011)
• Editorial Board, Environment Systems and Decisions (2012-present)
• Active roles in National Research Council committees (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels, Toxicology, IRIS Process review)

As a leader in environmental health, MacDonell has conducted health risk training for the Navy and DOE, served on EPA peer review panels, and advanced science-policy integration for global environmental challenges.