Kristina Mena appointed to EPA’s Science Advisory Board

Kristina D. Mena, PhD, MSPH, has been selected to serve on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Science Advisory Board, a national panel that provides independent scientific guidance on environmental and public health issues.

Her appointment places her among a group of experts tasked with advising national leaders on policies that impact air, water, and overall environmental safety across the United States.

Mena brings more than two decades of experience in environmental health, with research spanning water quality, food safety, infectious disease prevention, and environmental risk assessment. Her work focuses on translating complex scientific data into practical solutions that improve health outcomes in communities.

Her appointment builds on her history of federal service, including previous roles on EPA advisory committees such as the Science Advisory Board and the Drinking Water Committee. This continued involvement reflects both her expertise and the importance of environmental health science in national policy discussions.

At UTHealth Houston, Mena serves as a professor and regional dean, contributing to research, education, and community engagement. Her joining the Science Advisory Board highlights the university’s growing influence in shaping public health at a national level and underscores the vital role of science in protecting communities.

The Science Advisory Board was established in 1978 by the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act to provide independent advice to the EPA administrator on scientific and technical matters underlying the agency's major policies and actions.