The Distinguished Legacy of Linda S. Birnbaum, an Environmental Health Champion

摘要

The canon of environmental health luminaries would not be complete without including the life works of Linda S. Birnbaum,PhD, DABT, ATS. As the first woman and the first toxicologistto direct the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences(NIEHS) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP), Dr.Birnbaum established and embarked upon an ambitious strategicplan for the Institute that continues to shape and support impactful research progress in both the intramural and extramural environmental health research communities. Throughout her 10-plusyears as Director, Dr. Birnbaum has mobilized cross-disciplinaryand collaborative efforts to support her vision of “One NIEHS.”As she steps away from her official roles (but not from science),we, as members of her senior leadership team, have reflectedupon and wish to pay tribute to her exemplary leadership andmany accomplishments at and on behalf of the NIEHS.Accordingly, we highlight key areas in which Dr. Birnbaumstands out as a motivator, innovator, champion, and role modelfor us all.