About
I’m an assistant professor and environmental health researcher working at the intersection of environmental toxicology, public health, and environmental justice.
Environmental Health Scientist
Current Work:
- Position: Assistant Professor
- Institution: City University of New York School of Public Health and Health Policy
- Department: Environmental, Occupational, and Geospatial Health Sciences
- City: New York, NY, USA
- Teaching: EOHS 627 Noise Radiation Hazard Control
My work situates chemical toxicology within built, natural, and social environments. My recent work focuses on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pollution and spatial distribution of PFAS sources, along with the sociological impacts of contamination. My work encompasses a variety of environmental health topics including toxicity assessment and antidote development of mitochondrial poisons, climate-change mediated anthrax outbreaks, HIV prevention, and theoretical work connecting scientific rhetoric and environmental policy. My methodology varies across projects and includes analytical chemistry techniques, exposure modeling, spatial analysis, and qualitative methods including interviewing and media analysis.
I share my enthusiasm for science through collaboration, mentoring, and teaching. In teaching, I emphasize interdisciplinary research, along with egalitarianism, situatedness, and accessibility. My science communication work has been featured in a variety of national outlets.
Outside of the lab, my favorite activities are birdwatching, biking, and spending time with my two pet pigeons.Resume
You can download a more extensive CV here
Education
Doctorate of Philosophy in Environmental and Occupational Health
December 2021
University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA
Dissertation: Potential Antidotes to Phosphine Poisoning
Advisor: Dr. Jim Peterson
Masters of Public Health in Environmental and Occupational Health
May 2017
University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA
Environmental Health Risk Assessment Certificate
Masters Thesis: The effect of Climate Change on Risk of Anthrax Infection in the Kobuk Valley, Alaska
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
January 2015
Allegheny College, Meadville, PA
Minor in Women’s Studies
Professional Research Experience
Assistant Professor
August 2025 - Present
CUNY School of Public Health and Health Policy, department of Environmental, Occupational, and Geospatial Health Sciences, New York, NY
Postdoctoral Research Associate
March 2022 - June 2025
Northeastern University, Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute, Boston, MA
- Led spatial analyses of PFAS contamination sources across the US toward the goal of developing intersectional risk assessments
- Worked collaboratively on community-based participatory research into the social impacts of PFAS contamination in two New England communities
Graduate Student Researcher
2016 - 2021
University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Pittsburgh, PA
- Identified novel transition-metal based candidate antidotes to mitochondrial inhibitors phosphine, cyanide, and azide
Research Assistant
2016 - 2017
Carnegie Mellon University, Department of Decision Science, Pittsburgh, PA
- Prevention Options for Women Evaluation Research (POWER) project, designed and assessed behavioral health surveys of factors on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis use in at-risk populations in Kenya and South Africa
Publications
Papers
REVERSE PUBLICATION ORDER
Garrett, K. K., Ciaranca, S., Say, V., Cordner, A., Haberlack, E., Hopkins, C., Lengefeld, M., and Brown, P. (2025). The Landscape of PFAS Contamination in the United States: Sources and Spatial Patterns. Environmental Science & Technology. In press.
Garrett, K. K., Mok, K., Brown, P., Schaider, L. M., Powers, M., Fitzstevens, M., Amico, A., Osimo, C., Cordner, A., Carignan, C. (2024). REACHing for PFAS Solutions: Comparisons Across Two Communities Impacted by Drinking Water Contamination. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. DOI:10.1007/s13412-024-00994=2
Pearce, L. L., Garrett, K. K., Totoni, S., Bae, Y., Frawley, K., Peterson, J. (2024). A Potential Antidote for both Azide and Cyanide Poisonings. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 388 (2), 596-604. DOI:10.1124/jpet.123.001719
Salvatore, D., Mok, K., Garrett, K.K., Poudrier, G., Brown, P. Birnbaum, L., Goldenman, G., Miller, M., Patton, S., Poehlein, M., Varshavsky, J., & Cordner, A. (2022). Presumptive Contamination: A New Approach to PFAS Contamination Based on Likely Sources. Environmental Science & Technology Letters. DOI:10.1021/acs.estlett.2c00502
Garrett, K. K., Frawley, K. L., Totoni, S. C., Bae, Y., Peterson, J., & Pearce, L. L. (2019). The Antidotal Action of Some Gold (I) Complexes Toward Phosphine Toxicity. Chemical Research in Toxicology. DOI:10.1021/acs.chemrestox.9b00095
Praekunatham, H., Garrett, K. K., Bae, Y., Cronican, A. A., Frawley, K. L., Pearce, L. L. & Peterson J. (2019). A Cobalt Schiff-base Complex as a Putative Therapeutic for Azide Poisoning. Chemical Research in Toxicology. DOI:10.1021/acs.chemrestox.9b00229
Other Writing
REVERSE PUBLICATION ORDER
Garrett, K. K.(2024). "Op-ed: Oklahoma's wastewater bill targeting toxics isn't about health or the environment." Environmental Health News
Garrett, K. K., Brown, P., Varshavsky, J., & Cordner, A. (2022). Improving Governance of “Forever Chemicals” in the US and Beyond. OneEarth. DOI:10.1016/j.oneear.2022.10.003
Talks and Selected Media Interviews
REVERSE PUBLICATION ORDER
Bregel, S. (2025). "Weaponized Environmentalism?" A Texas Republican wants to test wastewater for abortion medication. Fast Company
Sutherland, C. (2025). Jackson to test Cache, Flat creeks for toxic PFAS. Jackson Hole News & Guide.
Hughes, A. (2024). Tribes addressing the "forever chemical" problem. Native America Calling.
Garrett, K. K. (2024). "Forever Chemicals" in our Environment. Penn State Extension Water Cooler Talks.
Garrett, K. K. (2023). PFAS Contamination on Tribal Lands*. Tribal PFAS Working Group.
Teirstein, Z. (2023). What one school's fight to eliminate PFAS says about Indian Country's "forever chemical" problem. Grist.
Krumme, M. (2023). How does Wisconsin's proposed PFAS legislation compare to other states? Wisconsin Public Radio.
Davis, B. W. (2023). Is MLB really going to make the Yankees and the White Sox play today? Hell Gate
Bartels, M. (2023). Chemical health risks from the Ohio train accident - What we know so far. Scientific American.
Youmshajekian, L. (2023). You're probably awash in 'forever chemicals.' Here's why that matters. ScienceLine.
Cordner, A. & Garrett, K. (2022). Presumptive Contamination: A New Approach to PFAS Contamination Based on Likely Sources Collaborative on Health and the Environment PFAS Webinar Series.
Janae, D. (2021). Meet Pittsburgh's pigeon whisperer: Kim Garrett. Pittsburgh City Paper.
Podcasts
