Chemical Insights
Engage with our presentations and experts throughout the event.
Exposure To Particulate Matter and Metals During Controlled Burns of Electric Vehicles
Date: October 5, 2026
Time: 2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Presenter:
Qian Zhang, Ph.D., is a research scientist at UL Research Institutes’ Chemical Insights. Her research interests are centered on air quality, pollution, and human exposure. Her expertise includes particle and chemical emission characterization, aerosol measurement, toxicity assessment, and indoor air exposure estimation.
Chemical Characterization of Gas and Particle-Phase Emissions from Full-Scale Electric Vehicle Fires: Implications for Emerging Exposure Risks
Date: October 5, 2026
Time: 2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Presenter:
Cynthia Choo, Ph.D., is a lead research scientist lead at UL Research Institutes’ Chemical Insights. Her work focuses on characterizing volatile organic compounds and semi-volatile organic compounds released during wildland and wildland–urban interface fires, as well as those that persist in post-fire residues.
Mobility Aid Battery Thermal Runaway Emissions Profile and The Impacts of Fire Suppression Systems
Date: October 5, 2026
Time: 2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Presenter:
David Kalafut is a field research scientist at UL Research Institutes’ Chemical Insights, where he focuses on collecting and identifying chemical and elemental hazards and particulate matter in air, soil, and water. His work supports the evaluation of potential human health effects and the development of strategies to reduce community exposure to environmental hazards.
Toxicity of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from a Dental 3D Printing Resin in a Human Alveolar Tissue Model
Date: October 5, 2026
Time: 4:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Presenter:
Maureen Meister, Ph.D., is a research scientist at UL Research Institutes’ Chemical Insights. Her research focuses on exploring the respiratory health implications of various consumer products and occupational exposures. She participates in human subjects’ studies investigating the impact of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) exposure on oral and respiratory health.
Beyond the Logo: Advancing the Exposome Through Collaborative Exposure Science at UL Research Institutes
Date: October 6, 2026
Time: 7:00 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.
Presenters:
Christopher J. Cramer, Ph.D., is the executive vice president and research officer at UL Research Institutes. He oversees a broad portfolio of projects that focus on fundamental and applied safety science.
Russell “Rusty” Thomas, Ph.D., is the vice president and executive director of UL Research Institutes’ Chemical Insights. He leads Chemical Insights’ research teams that are dedicated to understanding chemical exposures and their effects on human health and build resilience for a sustainable future.
Physicochemical and Toxicological Characterization of Particle Emissions Collected from Electric Vehicle Fires
Date: October 7, 2026
Time: 9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Presenter:
Shaligram Sharma, Ph.D., is a research scientist at UL Research Institutes’ Chemical Insights, focusing on environmental toxicology and PFAS exposure across various human cell types. His research includes chemical profiling of consumer fragrances, toxicity assessments of lithium-ion battery emissions, and vaping exposure studies.
Leveraging Non-Targeted Analysis of Human Biomonitoring Data to Advance Exposure Assessment
Date: October 7, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Presenter:
Heather Whitehead, Ph.D., is a laboratory non-targeted analytical chemistry research scientist at UL Research Institutes’ Chemical Insights, focusing on developing analysis workflows for investigating environmental contaminants.
The International Society of Exposure Science (ISES) works to meet the need for public health and environmental protection through a global network of exposure science professionals. ISES provides opportunities for career development, open exchanges of information, and promotes excellence in the practice of exposure assessments.
For more information, see this year’s program agenda.