Dr. Peter Thorne, Director of the Human Toxicology Program, was named a University of Iowa Distinguished Chair. 

The award is one of the highest bestowed on Iowa faculty. It recognizes tenured scholars of national and international distinction who are making a significant positive impact within the university, state of Iowa, and beyond through teaching, research, and/or scholarship.

His pioneering research is focused on environmental risk factors for inflammatory lung diseases, the toxicity of engineered nanomaterials and persistent chemical pollutants, and the health effects of climate change. In addition to being Human Toxicology Program Director, Dr. Thorne directed the University of Iowa Environmental Health Sciences Research Center for 20 years and served as head of the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health for 12 years.

He is serving a third, three-year term on the EPA’s Science Advisory Board and served two years as chair. Dr. Thorne was a member of the National Academy of Sciences Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology for six years. He is the current chair of the academy’s Committee on Toxicology.

This article was adapted from Iowa Now.