معرفی
Thomas J. McDonald is a Regents Professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at Texas A&M University's School of Public Health. He holds a PhD in Chemical Oceanography from Texas A&M University (1988) and has over three decades of academic and industry experience in environmental chemistry, petroleum geochemistry, and bioremediation. His professional roles include serving as Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs (2014–2017), Department Head (2010–2014), and leadership in research projects funded by federal agencies like NOAA, EPA, and NIH.
McDonald's research focuses on environmental contaminant analysis, including PAHs, petroleum biomarkers, and toxicology. He has led over 20 major projects totaling millions in funding, addressing issues like oil spill identification, bioremediation strategies, and environmental justice. His work spans academic collaborations, federal grants, and industry partnerships, emphasizing community engagement and disaster response.
He has authored/co-authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications and received awards such as the Aggies Celebrate Teaching Award (2020), Regents Professor title (2019), and Distinguished Achievement Award (2015). His labs and teams prioritize translational research, integrating advanced analytical methods with public health applications.
McDonald's advisory contributions include mentoring students in environmental health and toxicology, with a focus on training future public health professionals through programs like the Public Health Traineeship supported by HRSA grants. His research also addresses emerging challenges like PFAS contamination and post-hurricane environmental recovery in Houston.
