Alum takes on toxic chemicals at leading women’s health organization

Women in STEM have been a large influence on Amy Dale’s career. From the mentors she was inspired by, to her current work at the Silent Spring Institute, women-led work has always been a constant.

“I think of my grandmother, who first introduced me to the fields of ecology and computational science – subjects that have formed the cornerstone of my career,” Dale (CEE’15) recalled. “At CMU, it was my doctoral advisor, Dr. Elizabeth Casman, who transformed me from a naive undergrad into an expert in my field of study.”

Dale completed her graduate work at Carnegie Mellon’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, earning both her master’s and Ph.D., with a dual focus in engineering and public policy during her doctorate. After graduation, Dale completed postdoctoral research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology under the mentorship of Dr. Susan Solomon. She then worked as a scientific consultant for five years before joining Silent Spring Institute as deputy director.

Silent Spring Institute is a nonprofit research organization that investigates the environmental risk factors for breast cancer, specifically the role of cancer-causing chemicals in our everyday products and environments. The organization is named in honor of biologist, writer, and environmental activist Rachel Carson and is composed primarily of women scientists working to address women’s health issues and prioritize disease prevention.

Because of the skills and training I received at CMU, I’ve been able to apply this valuable knowledge to dozens of real-world cases of environmental pollution across the country.

Amy Dale, Deputy Director, Silent Spring Institute

Silent Spring’s scientists share their science with advocates, lawyers, and legislators to help strengthen policies and protect the public from dangerous chemicals. In addition, the institute partners with communities impacted by pollution and engages the public through tools like their Detox Me app to help people reduce harmful exposures and live healthier lives.

“It’s an incredible feeling to work at an organization where everyone, from our scientists to our accounting staff, is united in the pursuit of a powerful shared vision,” said Dale.

 

With her transition to the nonprofit sector, Dale continues to apply the knowledge she gained from CEE courses such as Fate, Transport & Physicochemical Processes of Organic Contaminants in Aquatic Systems and Integrated Environmental Modeling to Silent Spring’s work on synthetic chemicals in the environment. Her education, she says, provided her with a crucial foundation to advance her professional career.

“Because of the skills and training I received at CMU, I’ve been able to apply this valuable knowledge to dozens of real-world cases of environmental pollution across the country,” Dale said. “My hope for my career is to continue to leverage that knowledge to help make the world a healthier place.”