Speakers

Dr. Douglas Arenberg is Professor of Medicine in Pulmonary & Critical Care with a specific interest in diagnosis, staging, prevention and early detection of lung cancer. Dr. Arenberg has spent his entire career at the University of Michigan since finishing medical school, and is the medical Director of their Lung Cancer screening program, as well as their bronchoscopy and pulmonary procedure service. 

Susanne Biteman is a District Supervisor for Michigan Department Environment Great Lakes and Energy, Oil Gas and Minerals Division.  She works out of the Cadillac District.  Susanne holds Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Michigan State University in Geological Sciences.  She has worked for the Oil, Gas and Minerals Division since 2009.  Prior to that, she worked for an environmental consulting firm specializing in groundwater supply and groundwater remediation projects. 

Brian Hanson is the Director of the K-State Radon Programs.  Mr. Hanson has been with K-State Engineering Extension since 2002.  Mr. Hanson oversees several radon activities for K-State: 1) the National Radon Program Services (NRPS) by cooperative agreement with USEPA, 2) the Kansas Radon Program (KRP), 3) K-State Radon Courses programs and 4) the KSU Radon Chamber NRPP-certified QA/QC laboratory.

Since lung cancer took her husband’s life February 8, 2006, Gloria Linnertz has devoted her life to radon education and awareness.  The Linnertz's house measured over four times the EPA radon action level. Sharing their story with others in the hope of preventing future radon-induced lung cancer deaths has expanded Gloria's acquaintances to include many legislators, industry professionals, government officials, and medical personnel throughout the nation.  Thanks to her state representative, Dan Reitz, and the support of AARST, the president of the Illinois Home Inspectors Association and others, the Radon Awareness Act was passed in IL on August 16, 2007, which has resulted in many more homes being tested and mitigated.  Helping to activate the radon community with activities of awareness and education is an on-going effort. Participating in TV and radio interviews, writing newspaper articles, giving presentations to all types of groups, displaying materials and stories at home shows and conferences, and organizing events has been Gloria's life for the last 17 years; attending numerous National Conference of State Legislators helping to educate our state senators and representatives about the danger of radon exposure; participated in numerous state and US hearings on the need for radon policies.
In late 2013, she established a 501c3 nonprofit organization to facilitate the spread of the facts about the danger of radon exposure.  Gloria  is excited about the growing participation in Citizens for Radioactive Radon Reduction and their electronic radon news magazine, CR3 RADON NEWS, published by lung cancer survivor and PA representative of the organization, Jackie Nixon.

For numerous years, Gloria served on the National board of American Association of Science and Technology and the MidWest AARST Chapter.  She received the Everett I Hageman Volunteerism Award from Illinois Public Health Association in 2009, a Certificate of Appreciation for excellence, dedication and leadership from Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, the 2007 Illinois Excellence in Radon Award from Illinois Emergence Management Association, recognition from Respiratory Health Association for Making a Difference Advocacy in 2008, and a Certificate of Award from the Hope Light Foundation in 2016
 

Jason received an undergraduate degree in Environmental Geosciences from the University of Michigan followed by a PhD in Geology from the University of Wyoming. He spent 10 years as a Petrophysicist in upstream oil and gas prior to joining EGLE in 2021. He is currently the Supervisor of the Gas Storage and Underground Injection Control Unit based in Lansing, MI.

Azizur Molla is a professor of public health with over 20 years of experience in teaching and researching topics including climate change, environmental health, health policy, disease, and culture, drinking water, community health, and social determinants of health. He has authored a book on drinking water and disease and authored/co-authored book chapters, and articles based on his research in public health. Like other team members, he worked in different geographic areas of water pollution.

Lucus began his career in Environmental Health with Kalamazoo County in 2007 within the food program.  After several years he began working in the water well and onsite wastewater program, later becoming supervisor of the program.  In 2022 Lucus became the Environmental Health Director.

Leslie E. Smith, III (Les) is the Indoor Radon Specialist with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s Materials Management Division.    Les received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Resource Development from Michigan State University in 1992, at which time he immediately began his environmental career.

During his over 31-year career with the department, he has served in many capacities, including as environmental cleanup project manager, air quality inspector, enforcement coordinator, and environmental assistance liaison and community engagement coordinator. Les currently serves as EGLE’s statewide Indoor Radon Specialist encouraging Michigan residents to test their homes for radioactive radon gas, and to take action to reduce their exposure.

Laura Wallace is a Radon Specialist and has been with the National Radon Program Services at Kansas State University since 2014. 

Dr. Peter Wampler is a broadly trained environmental geologist and geomorphologist with a background in both academic and government regulation of mining and storm water. He received his PhD in 2004 for work on human- and climatic-induced changes along the Clackamas River in Oregon before accpeting an assistant professor position at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) in 2004.  As a professor at GVSU, Dr. Wampler has worked with undergraduate and graduate students on applied geoscience research: 1) evaluating GVSU’s storm water runoff footprint and assisting in designing Best Management Practices (BMP) for GVSU (www.gvsu.edu/stormwater); 2) investigating water resources and groundwater contamination pathways in rural Haiti (www.gvsu.edu/haitiwater); 3) evaluating human impacts to river systems resulting from dams and other structures (http://faculty.gvsu.edu/wamplerp/); and 4) Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to create household radon hazard maps for Michigan using geologic data.  Dr. Wampler has travelled to Haiti numerous times since 2007 to work on water resources issues and safe water interventions and has led three groups of GVSU students on a 4-week study abroad to Haiti.