If you are injured or exposed to a hazardous material in a research or teaching lab, please report it immediately to Risk and Insurance Management at the Incident Portal.
To reach any of our programs or team members, email: ehs@vanderbilt.edu
To reach specific programs, email:
- Biological Safety: vubiosafety@vanderbilt.edu
- Chemical Safety: chemicalsafety@vanderbilt.edu
- Radiation Safety: radiationsafety@vanderbilt.edu
- Laser Safety: lasersafety@vanderbilt.edu
- EHS Assist help desk: ehsa@vanderbilt.edu
Leadership
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Andrea George, PhD, BCEEM, CHMM, PMP
Assistant Vice Chancellor, Environmental Health, Safety, and Sustainability; Adjunct Faculty, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Former VU sustainability and environmental management director for 6 years.Former VEHS associate director for VU and VUMC for 19 years.More than 25 years experience leading health, safety and sustainability programs for VU, ORNL, Bechtel National, and others.2021 University Excellence Award and Service Champion Award.Board Certified by Eminence in Environmental Engineering by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists, Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), certified Project Management Professional (PMP).Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degrees in engineering from Vanderbilt. Bachelor of Science degrees in physics and mathematics, Western KY University.
Biological Safety Team
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Ryan McAllister, PhD, BM (IFBA), RBP (ABSA)
Associate Director for Biological Safety and Biological Safety Officer
Joined EHS in October 2025Former University Biological Safety Officer, Alternate Responsible Official, and Institutional Contact for Dual Use Research at Rutgers University (2023-2025), Assistant Biological Safety Officer at Stanford University (2018-2023), Biosafety Fellowship at University of Louisville (2018)Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP) and BioRisk Management (BRM) credentialsDoctor of Philosophy (2018) and Master of Science (2014) in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of LouisvilleBachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Northern Michigan University (2010)Northern Michigan University Outstanding Young Alumni Award Recipient (2024)
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Kyle Becker, MS
Interim Biological Safety Officer; Senior Safety Officer, Biological Safety
Joined EHS in March 2022.12 years at Vanderbilt as graduate student and research assistant in VUSE.14 journal publications.Eagle Scout and National Distinguished Service Award.Master of Science degree in microbiology and immunology, Vanderbilt University. Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry and genetics/cell biology/development, University of Minnesota.
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Kendra Hoffsmith, BS
Safety Officer, Biological Safety
Joined EHS in January 2024.2 years as lab manager in Molecular Physiology and Biophysics (MPB) at Vanderbilt University.2 years as a research assistant in Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences (ACBS) at the University of Arizona.3 journal publications.Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology, University of Arizona.
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Matt Loch, BS
Safety Officer, Biological Safety
Joined EHS in April 2022.8 years as research assistant and then lab manager at Vanderbilt’s Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery and SOM-BS.Over a decade experience in university and industry analytical labs.13 journal publications.Eagle Scout.Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, University of Pittsburgh.
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Katrina Ngo, PhD
Safety Officer, Biological Safety
Joined EHS in March 2024.7 years at Vanderbilt as a graduate student and lab manager in the Biological Sciences Department.3 years as a mentor for the SyBBURE Searle Undergraduate Research Program at Vanderbilt University.3 journal publications.Doctor of Philosophy in Biological sciences, Vanderbilt University. Bachelor of arts degree in biology and history with a minor in gender studies from Austin college.
Chemical Safety Team
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Edward Krise, MS, CIH, CSP, CHMM, CPEA, CIT
Associate Director, Chemical Safety and Chemical Safety Officer
Joined EHS in December 2023.Over 15 years as an EHS manager with an additional 12 years in operations in the environmental services industry.Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), Certified Professional Environmental Auditor (CPEA), Certified Instructional Trainer (CIT)Master of Science degree in occupational safety and health, Columbia Southern University. Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, West Virginia Institute of Technology.
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Andrew Manongdo, PHD, CSP
Program Manager, Chemical Safety and Assistant Chemical Hygiene Officer
Contact: andrew.manongdo@vanderbilt.edu; 615-343-6766Joined VU in August 2025.Over a decade of combined academic research and EHS program management experience; former Chemical Safety Specialist at UTHealth Houston, leading institution-wide chemical safety and industrial hygiene initiatives.Certified Safety Professional (CSP)Doctor of Philosophy degree in chemistry, University of Houston. Master and Bachelor of Science degrees in chemistry, University of the Philippines.
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Steve Gild, MS, CHMM
Program Manager, Environmental Compliance
Joined VU in 2007.25+ years in environmental management of corporations and manufacturers such as General Electric, NBC/Universal, Johnson Controls and Carrier.Certified Hazardous Materials Management (CHMM).Master of Science degree in environmental science, Tennessee State University. Bachelor of Science degree in natural resource management, Michigan State University.
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Stephen Trundy, BS, CHMM
Program Manager, Hazardous Waste
Joined EHS in September 2022.6 years at VUMC OCRS managing Vanderbilt’s hazardous chemical waste.Over 18 years safety and environmental coordinator experience at universities.7 additional years in industry.Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM).Bachelor of Science degree in biology/chemistry, University of Arkansas.
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Joe Hegarty, BS
Safety Officer, Chemical Safety
Joined EHS in September 2022.3 years as Occupational Safety Specialist at Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA).Over a decade as a lab chemist and research assistant in industry.Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, Temple University.
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Brenda Birch, BS
Safety Officer, Chemical Safety
Joined EHS in July 2024.3 years as Occupational Safety Specialist with Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA).Undergraduate intern at Tennessee Department of Health, Laboratories Division, Radiochemistry.Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, Austin Peay State University.
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Matthew Menna, BS
Safety Officer, Chemical Safety
Joined EHS in July 2024.Spent the past year as an Analytical Chemist and Laboratory Safety officer for Pace AnalyticalCombined 5 years as a psychiatric technician in a Nashville clinic and suicide intervention counselor with the NSPLBachelor of Science degree in neuroscience, Penn State University.
Radiation and Laser Safety Team
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Sergey Avanesyan, PhD, CLSO
Senior Safety Officer, Laser Safety
Joined EHS in July 2020.10 years previously at Vanderbilt as an engineer in the Free Electron Laser Center and research assistant professor in Physics and Astronomy department.5 years at Fisk University as manager of the Tunable Femtosecond Laser Facility.Certified Laser Safety Officer.Doctor of Philosophy degree in laser physics, Moscow State University. Master of Science degree in laser physics and nonlinear optics, Yerevan State University.
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Benedicta Amankwah, MS
Safety Officer, Radiation Safety
Joined EHS in September 2024.Masters of Science degree in radiological health science, Alcorn State University.Bachelor of Science degree in radiation technology (health physics), Alcorn State University.
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Jamie Bunch, BS
Safety Officer, Radiation Safety
Joined EHS in July 2023.Over 20 years of inspection and enforcement experience in the Division of Radiological Health with the State of Tennessee.Bachelor of Science degree in biology, Middle Tennessee State University.
Administrative Services Team
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Leigh Shoup, MEd
Senior Administrative Officer
Joined EHS in September 2023.Over 17 years experience at Vanderbilt in administrative roles in the Office of the Provost, Chancellor’s Office, and Vice Chancellor for Administration Offices at Vanderbilt.Over 19 years experience at universities.Project management experience leading development of FutureVU comprehensive land use plan.Master of Education degree in organizational leadership, Vanderbilt University. Bachelor of Science degree in business and economics, Nazareth College.
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Jeremy Crantek, BS
Systems Administrator and Data Coordinator
Joined EHS in January 2023.13 years supporting engineering firms as an analyst, IT project manager, and data warehouse administrator.Bachelor of Science degree in data analytics and data management, Western Governor’s University.