Sonia Joseph Appointed Outreach Coordinator
For Great Lakes And Human Health Center

Sonia T. Joseph has been appointed as Sea Grant Extension educator and outreach coordinator for the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Center of Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health (CEGLHH) in Ann Arbor. Her primary responsibility will be managing stakeholder involvement with the center’s activities.

CEGLHH is a multi-disciplinary research center that focuses on understanding the inter-relationships between the Great Lakes ecosystem, water quality and human health. The center uses ecosystem forecasting to minimize risks to human health in coastal environments.

Dr. Stephen Brandt, CEGLHH Director, says Joseph’s background makes her well suited for the new position.

“Much of Sonia's training with her graduate degree revolved around identifying, engaging, and listening to multiple stakeholder groups,” says Brandt, “particularly those who often are not involved in decision-making but are disproportionately affected by those decisions—such as children, the elderly, racial and ethnic minorities, people with lower socioeconomic status.”

Joseph served as environmental health assistant in the Ingham County (Michigan) Health Department and taught environmental science at Lansing Community College. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from Lake Superior State University and a M.S. in Human Dimensions of Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University.

Dr. Joan Rose, CEGLHH Deputy Director, also welcomes Joseph: “We are thrilled that Sonia will be able to translate our science so that our communities can make really informed choices about how to protect our stressed coastal system.”

Currently, Joseph is working with the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to summarize beach health research needs identified at a recent conference. Local beach managers and health officials described how federal agencies can help them better protect beaches.

Joseph began November 1 and is located at the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) in Ann Arbor. She can be reached at sonia.joseph@noaa.gov or (734) 741-2283.