Journal of Bioterrorism & Biodefense
Open Access

Kenneth Aldous

Biography

 The primary focus of Dr. Aldous's research is the chemical characterization of environmental toxicants in biological tissues and fluids that allow evaluation of their sources, pathways and associated health risks. After moving to the US for a postdoctoral position at Albany Medical College, Dr. Aldous began a research program to develop trace element clinical testing assays for the Division of Laboratories and Research at the New York State Department of Health. This work formed the basis for New York's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and initiated growth in analytical instrumental methods used in public health testing more broadly.

As a Research Scientist at the Wadsworth Center, Dr. Aldous has developed improved diagnostic instrumentation utilizing mass spectrometry techniques and methods for the detection of lead in blood and the measurement of dioxins as well as other trace elements and persistent organic compounds in biological and environmental samples. In his capacity as Director for the Division of Environmental Health Sciences he is responsible for all environmental testing performed at Wadsworth and is principal investigator on two Centers for Disease Control (CDC) funded programs for human biomonitoring and chemical threat preparedness, and several grant funded biomonitoring studies that utilize the Division's well equipped analytical capabilities.

Dr. Aldous has published over 100 papers in the field of analytical chemistry and instrumental methods of analysis and recently completed a study of more than 1,800 participants in the New York City Health and Nutrition Examination survey. He was awarded the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition for providing support to APHL for more than 40 years as an expert on trace organic analysis of environmental samples and a member of several APHL committees, including the Biomonitoring Subcommittee, the LRN-C Northeast Regional Chemical Exposure Exercise Planning Committee and the Laboratory Response Network National Meeting Planning Committee. He also serves as an Associate Professor at the University at Albany, School of Public Health and is a Faculty Member with the Wadsworth School of Sciences.

Research Interest