STUDENT: Diana Ceballos
Environmental and Occupational Hygiene, PhD
Education
- MS, Atmospheric Chemistry, University of Nevada - Reno
- Colombia Exchange Program, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Bishop’s University, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
- BS, Chemical Engineering, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellin, Colombia
Advisor
Michael Yost
Research
Diana has been involved in interdisciplinary research projects to understand the impacts of environmental and occupational chemicals on human health. She has developed and validated sampling techniques to measure contaminants and assess exposure. She has also performed chemical and biological field sampling in various industrial and environmental settings. Her commitment to workers’ health and safety has been reflected in internships at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center(FHCRC) EH&S and Washington State’s L&I’s SHARP Program.
For her doctoral research, she is developing a field-testing device to systematically evaluate gloves’ efficacy against isocyanates. Conventional permeation testing methods are not applicable to materials that cure, like isocyanate paint. Isocyanates are a leading cause of work-related asthma, and workers in the automotive collision repair industry are at high risk for isocyanate exposures. There is growing evidence that dermal exposure is significant in these small businesses, and a contributor to causing this disease. Diana's research will be the initial step towards testing of dermal protective products that are used with complex matrices such as paints or adhesives.
Extracurricular Activities
Hiking, kayaking, yoga, gardening, dancing, and movies
