Dr. Portier meets with Annabelle Allison

My “Meet the Scientist” series brings you conversations with NCEH/ATSDR scientists. These conversations aim to give you a sense of the talented people who are working to keep you safe and secure from things in the environment that threaten our nation’s health.

Meet Annabelle

NCEH/ATSDR Tribal Affairs Liaison and Hatch green chili fan Annabelle Allison was born and raised in New Mexico. “I’m a member of the Navajo tribe. My mother’s clan is Honághááhnii, which means ‘One Walks Around You.’ My father’s is Tó dích’íinii or the ‘Bitter Water Clan.’ I grew up on the Navajo reservation in a small community called Tohatchi, New Mexico. I left the reservation when I graduated high school and attended San Juan College in Farmington, New Mexico to study biomedical sciences.”

Dr. Portier meets with Jona Ogden

My “Meet the Scientist” series brings you conversations with NCEH/ATSDR scientists that aim to give you a sense of the talented people who are working to keep you safe and secure from those things in the environment that threaten our nation’s health. Graduate student, homeless shelter volunteer, hand-washing expert, and rock-climber-in-training, meet Jona Ogden, one of ATSDR’s newest Health Scientists.

About Jona

Jona was born in Newport News, Virginia, but her family moved to Augusta, Georgia where she lived for most of her life. She graduated from the University of Georgia. Although her initial plan was to become a pharmacist, Jona found she wanted more interaction with people,

Dr. Portier meets with Dr. Antonia Calafat

My “Meet the Scientist” series brings you conversations with NCEH/ATSDR scientists that aim to give you a sense of the talented people who are working to keep you safe and secure from things in the environment that threaten our nation’s health. A native of Majorca, Spain, Fulbright scholar, and accomplished researcher and author, meet my next interviewee, Dr. Antonia Calafat.

About Antonia

Antonia Calafat, PhD, is a Distinguished Consultant in the NCEH’s Division of Laboratory Sciences (DLS). Born and raised in Majorca, Spain, she received a degree in chemistry from the University of the Balearic Islands. “Why chemistry?” I asked. “The university had a rather limited science curriculum, and I was originally undecided between chemistry, biology, and pharmacy. I did not like botany very much, and I soon discovered my love of the chemical elements. Add to that my desire to work in a lab and conduct research, I decided I’d much rather study chemistry,” she replied.

Dr. Portier meets with Sue Casteel

My “Meet the Scientist” series brings you conversations with NCEH/ATSDR scientists that aim to give you a sense of the talented people who are working to keep you safe and secure from things in the environment that threaten our nation’s health. I chatted with someone who knows the Clintons (yes, Bill and Hilary), and is a scuba diver and basket weaver, though not at the same time! Meet ATSDR regional representative Sue Casteel.

Sue is originally from the small town of Calico Rock, Arkansas. She completed her undergraduate studies in biology and chemistry at Hendrix College in Arkansas, and she earned her graduate degree in environmental health from the University of Arkansas. And just for the record, she’s a Razorbacks fan.