Rachel M. Shaffer, PhD, MPH

Rachel is an environmental health scientist with expertise in toxicology, epidemiology, and risk assessment.

My story

Education & experience

Education

• PhD, Environmental Toxicology, University of Washington-Seattle (2020)
• MPH, Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Washington-Seattle (2018)
• BA, Environmental Studies, Yale University (2012)

Professional Experience

• Health Scientist, Office of Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2025-Present)
• Affiliate Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington-Seattle (2022-Present)
• Epidemiologist, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2022-2025)
• Senior Advisor for Chemical Safety, White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) (2023-2024)
• Toxicologist, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2020-2022)
• Consultant, Health Program, Environmental Defense Fund (2019-2020)
• Intern, Hazardous Waste Management Program, Seattle/King County Public Health Dept (2018-2020)
• Research Assistant, Health Program, Environmental Defense Fund (2012-2014)

Research

I have broad interests in environmental health and enjoy applying my skills across diverse, policy-relevant topic areas.

Selected topics are listed below. My full list of publications can be found here.

• Air pollution & neurodegeneration
• Glyphosate
• Children’s health & developmental exposures
• Policy & assessment