Biography:

Dr. Charles hails from the Caribbean twin-isle country of Trinidad and Tobago. She obtained her B.S. in Chemistry from University of West Indies (St. Augustine) and her M.S. in Environmental Science from University of Maryland. At Michigan State University, she obtained her Ph.D. in Environmental Chemistry (Crop and Soil Science – Environmental Toxicology) in 2004. Her studies involved developing an alternate approach for quantifying the availability of clay (smectite) surfaces in soils for solute sorption with implications for bioavailability and risk assessment. In 2005, she joined University of Michigan School of Public Health as a postdoctoral fellow in Environmental Health Sciences. Her research involved quantifying and characterizing a relatively new tracer/marker for environmental tobacco smoke using both laboratory and field studies and estimating the contribution of tobacco smoke to concentrations of several indoor toxicants. She also participated in conducting studies characterizing indoor brominated flame retardant concentrations and emissions in air, particulate matter and dust.

During the course of her studies, she gained teaching experience at the college level, teaching both undergraduate and graduate students. She enjoys working with students to assist their transition to and growth in college - a passion she intends to continue here at Georgia Southern.

Her research interests include exposure assessment and the human health impacts of exposure to air and soil contaminants (including pesticides, tobacco smoke, PM2.5, diesel exhaust), environmental fate and transport studies, and environmental impact assessments. She is passionate about community health and empowerment, environmental justice issues, and the use of community-based participatory research methodologies in environmental health research. As such, she has been involved with several community groups and NGOs over the course of her studies.

Simone holds memberships in several professional organizations including American Chemical Society, and Georgia Public Health Association. She enjoys visiting family and friends, volunteering in her community, the performing and visual arts, hiking, sewing, dancing, and a good cup of coffee and good conversation.