Cynthia Choo, Ph.D., is a research scientist at the Center for Exposure Science within 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. Using data generated from advanced analytical techniques, such as gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, she develops exposure models to better understand human exposure to these hazardous compounds in indoor environments.

Dr. Choo earned her Ph.D. and M.S. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Memphis. She then served as a tenure-track assistant professor at Southeast Missouri State University, where she taught analytical chemistry and conducted research on the environmental life history of the pallid sturgeon. After three years in academia, she transitioned to industry as a research and development chemist, where she focused on method development using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS).