— LISTEE'S SPOTLIGHT —

Dr. Howard Walter Mielke is an adjunct research professor at the Tulane University School of Medicine, where he has been a faculty member since 2006. Recognized as one of the leading experts on soil contamination and environmental health, he is best known for his work on lead poisoning and public health in urban environments. His research played a key role in banning leaded gasoline in the 1980s, and his laboratory at the United States Department of Agriculture pioneered the development of tools to measure environmental lead and sulfur levels that remain in use today.

Dr. Mielke holds a PhD in geography and a Master of Science in biology from the University of Michigan and began his career in academia as an adjunct professor at UCLA after serving in the Peace Corps. He has taught at the University of Maryland, the University of Minnesota, and Xavier University and credits much of his inspiration to the opportunity to collaborate with other leaders in his field.