Robert N. Phalen

Robert N. Phalen is a Professor of Occupational Safety and Health at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, affiliated with the College of Science and Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Health Sciences from UCLA (specializing in industrial hygiene) and is a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) and Fellow of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (FAIHA). His expertise spans industrial hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), ergonomics, air quality, and materials science.

Dr. Phalen’s research focuses on improving worker protection through PPE optimization, pesticide exposure mitigation, and material science applications. He has authored/co-authored influential publications including Protective Gloves for Occupational Use (CRC Press) and Introduction to Air Pollution Science (APHA/Jones & Bartlett). His work addresses challenges like glove degradation from disinfection, chemical permeation, and ergonomic design.

Recognition includes the FAIHA Fellowship, UHCL Piper Teaching Award, and multiple grants from NIH/NIOSH. His lab collaborates on PPE testing, hearing protection, heat stress, and direct-reading instrumentation. Courses taught span industrial hygiene fundamentals, ergonomics, and radiation protection.