L.E. Peterson
Previous Degrees Obtained
Harvard University Ext: Sustainability Masters: Methylmercury: University of Colorado, Chemistry: Organic Chemistry.
Research Topic
- Methylmercury in the Food Chain due to Atmospheric Deposition from Coal Combustion.
- Obligation to strive for Mandated, Sustained, and Monitored mercury emission policy.
- Mercury filtration is viable and captures 96% of mercury from coal effluent.
- Mercury EPA regulations were blown back in 2014 during the former administration. Increased mercury levels in fish tissue correlate with this policy blowback.
- Methylmercury crosses the blood-brain barrier and causes neurological harm, which can be devastating and irreversible.
Root Cause Analysis Lack of urgency in eliminating Mercury Fish Consumption.Advisories. - Implications: The Energy Transition globally relies on coal combustion, which is increasing worldwide, and keeping an eye on coal and regulatory stability will be a global public health priority.
- Implications for large-system change mandating mercury filtration from operating coal plants will have collateral benefits in mitigating Climate Change.
- Transformative lens: mixed methods approach: evidence-based, qualitative inductive approach.
As a twelve-year-old, I read a small booklet from the Department of Natural Resources warning of mercury in fish in pristine lakes far from industrial sources. These Fish Consumption Advisories for mercury made no sense to me. I was frustrated as my father tried to explain that pollution was responsible for generating this critical public health concern. From that moment, I was dedicated to becoming a chemist and trying to see what I could do through research and advocacy. Mercury in fish is a multi-layered and complex global justice issue. Still, there is ample rationale and data to support creating lasting change that will eliminate the need for Fish Consumption Advisories for mercury in waters far from industrial sources. In other words, my research makes the case that atmospheric deposition from coal combustion can be successfully mitigated via coal emission filtration, and over time, mandated, sustained, and monitored policy will solve this long-standing public health crisis.
Q&A
Prescott offers a PhD in Sustainability, which is core to my principles as a chemist and a change-maker. “Education is Change” are words I heard from our head, Dr Affolter. This drives me to continue my research: informing education where the change is operationalized. It is an exciting scholarly environment that challenges the status quo while firmly rooted in exceptional research practices.
My primary focus is Methylmercury in the food chain: economic, environmental, and social impacts are well-established as humans and wildlife are impacted by fish consumption. The common assumption that coal combustion is diminishing is not supported: it is rising globally. For this reason, my focus is on the currently available and viable technologies that can mitigate mercury and eventually eliminate the need for fish consumption advisories, with discovery centered on why the lack of urgency and regulatory instability.
Dr. Affolter and colleagues provide a challenging landscape of courses and research lenses essential to deep scholarly work. The emphasis on social justice has strengthened the quality and relevance of my research. This program does not back down from the hard sciences and quantitative excellence, yet insists on an honest foundation in social inquiry.
Staying connected is vital. I have overcome this by contacting my advisors regularly for touch points. I have also benefitted from drop-in dissertation writing groups.
My life as a researcher is meaningful, but I plan to implement this research by participating in policy directives as a board member, advocate, and/or curriculum advisor. My experience with environmental management concepts has prepared me to leverage my studies and life experience in a leadership position that can serve public health through policy and education.
My passions are faith, music, out-of-doors, gathering people around good food, reading, studying languages, and traveling to Norway. Listening to people’s stories makes my heart sing.
Reach out to students and create space for touch points to stay connected. Other students need you more than you know. Work hard on clean research and trust Prescott to guide you to the right resource for help in areas where you feel weak. Prescott is intentionally composed of kind and brilliant minds who are willing to come alongside your efforts. Enjoy the process.