Eugene C. Cole, DrPH. - Publications
Technical Research Director
Dr. Gene Cole has over 30 years experience in areas related to public, occupational, environmental, and international health to include infectious disease transmission, environmental pollution, exposure assessment, bioterrorism preparedness, and indoor environmental quality (with a focus on asthma and allergen control). He conducts applied research on practical approaches to prevention and control of human exposures and related health risks, with a particular emphasis on low cost solutions to important public health problems. He emphasizes development and implementation of health education guidance documents and training programs. In that regard he has co-authored a number of national and international standards, guidelines, and training materials, to include Clean and Healthy Strategies for Today's Homes: Allergies and Asthma-A Reference Manual (USA); Suggested Guiding Principles and Practices for the Sound Management of Hazardous Hospital Wastes (SE Asia); and Sterilization, Disinfection, Decontamination, and Cleaning of FP/MCH Clinic Equipment (West Africa).
Dr. Cole assisted the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) with management of its international TB Laboratory Performance Evaluation program, and also directed its project to characterize quality assurance needs in human molecular genetic testing. He directed studies for the USEPA on Indoor Air Quality Monitoring, and Evaluation of Medical Waste Treatment Technologies; served as technical director for a USAID Local Environmental Management waste project in Hungary; and was co-developer of the American Industrial Hygiene Association's EMPAT program for laboratory proficiency and accreditation in environmental microbiology.
Dr. Cole currently directs a long-term hygiene promotion project to reduce respiratory, gastrointestinal, and skin diseases among children in low income communities in peri-urban Cape Town, South Africa. He is also conducting research leading to a Family Guide for the Prevention and Control of Moisture & Mold Problems in Home Environments.
Dr. Cole recently co-authored Knowledge of the Effects of Indoor Air Quality on Health Among Women in Jordan; Investigation of Antibiotic and Antibacterial Agent Cross-Resistance in Target Bacteria from Homes of Antibacterial Product Users and Non-users; and Quality Assurance in Human Molecular Genetics Testing. Other recent publications include: Suggested Practice for the Remediation of Highly Infectious Agents in Indoor Environments, addressing anthrax and other biological agent contamination; and Reservoirs of Opportunistic Fungi in the Home Environment: A Guide for Exposure Reduction in the Immunocompromised.
Dr. Cole holds both a Master of Science in Public Health Microbiology and a Doctor of Public Health in Biohazard Science/Occupational Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.