The PEDS project is a cross-disciplinary effort combining our team’s expertise in environmental testing, developmental psychology, analytical chemistry, statistical analysis, environmental risk assessment, and community outreach.
This study is a partnership between RTI International, a nonprofit research institute, and NC Central University, a Historically Black College/University (HBCU).
RTI International Team Members
Jennifer Hoponick Redmon, MPA, MSES, CHMM
Contact Principal Investigator; Center Co-Director
Ms. Redmon is an award-winning researcher with nearly 20 years of experience investigating complex environmental problems and developing practical solutions to advance public health. For the PEDS project, she oversees environmental health data collection, analysis, and overall study management, including translation to a wide audience and scientific stature.
Michael Willoughby, PhD
Co-Principal Investigator; Center Co-Director
Dr. Willoughby is a developmental psychologist with expertise in the development of the brain during early childhood. He has 20 years of experience in this field. For the PEDS project, he oversees child and family data collection, analysis, and related stature activities together with Ms. Hoponick Redmon.
Keith Levine, PhD
Co-Investigator
Dr. Levine is an analytical chemist with more than 20 years of experience developing and applying new analytical methods for environmental media. For the PEDS project, he will assess environmental and biospecimen samples for environmental contaminants. To do this, Dr. Levine will use existing ‘gold standard’ analytical methods and he will also advance the state of the science by developing new analytical methods.
AJ Kondash, PhD
Environmental Health Research Specialist; Program Coordinator
Dr. Kondash is an environmental scientist who has several years of experience partnering with community scientists and childcare centers to protect human health. For the PEDS project, he will provide support on project management and project reporting activities.
Kesha Hudson, PhD
Developmental Psychology Research Specialist; Program Coordinator
Dr. Hudson is a developmental psychologist with expertise in cognitive development from birth through childhood. She works on research that involves preschool recruitment and cognitive and behavioral assessments with young children. She has nearly 10 years of experience involving project management and child assessment. For the PEDS project, she coordinates field activities related to child assessments and oversees the quality management of child assessment data.
Christa Bethelmy
Research Assistant
Ms. Bethelmy is a project management specialist with expertise working in Early Childhood Education and public health. Her passion for children has led her to supporting children environmental health projects. She is one of two Research Assistants who will conduct cognitive and behavioral assessments with children and complete phone interviews with parents/caregivers. For the PEDS project, she supports project management activities, the coordination of environmental sampling, and recruitment activities.
Anna Gold
Research Assistant
Ms. Gold is one of two Research Assistants on the PEDS project who will visit preschools to complete assessments with children and conduct interviews with parents/caregivers over the phone. She is an environmental scientist and has spent several years working directly with children as a child care provider. For the PEDS project, she supports project management activities, the coordination of environmental sampling, and recruitment activities.
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NC Central University Team Members
William Pilkington, DPA, MPA, MA
Translation Core Co-Director
Dr. Pilkington is the program director of the H.O.P.E. (Health Equity, Environment and Population Health) Program at NCCU, where he conducts research on racial disparities and implements community-based health solutions. For the PEDS project, he will be responsible for developing educational materials and disseminating the research findings in ways that are accessible to the participating preschools, policy makers, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders, including the public.
Deepak Kumar, PhD
Translation Core Co-Director
Dr. Kumar is a cancer researcher and the Director of the Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute at NCCU. For the PEDS project, Dr. Kumar acts as the liaison to the Community Advisory Board and works with Dr. Pilkington on community engagement efforts.
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Advisory Boards
Our team is supported by a Scientific Advisory Board and a Community Advisory Board. Our two external advisory boards have multi-disciplinary expertise in children’s environmental health, child care policy, and community engagement. Our external boards ensure our study methods and activities deliver accurate, impactful, and inclusive findings and recommendations for families, preschools, decision-makers, and other stakeholders.
We are proud to have support and receive guidance from the following experts:
Scientific Advisory Board
- Jamie DeWitt, PhD
Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Eastern Carolina University - Jacqueline MacDonald Gibson, PhD
Department Head, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, NC State University - Ed Norman, MS
Program Manager, NC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, Division of Public Health, NC Department of Health and Human Services
Community Advisory Board
- Linda Chappel
Senior Vice President, Child Care Services Association - Ashley Graham
Health Educator, NC Choose Safe Places Program, Division of Public Health, NC Department of Health and Human Services - Andrea Lewis
Assistant Section Chief, NC Division of Child Development and Early Education, NC Department of Health and Human Services - Jenna Nelson
Executive Director, NC Early Education Coalition