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Elizabeth L. Anderson, Ph.D.

Group Vice President & Principal Scientist

Health Sciences

Professional Profile


Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Anderson was President and CEO of Sciences International, a health and environmental consulting firm. She specializes in risk assessment as a basis for addressing the complex problems related to public health and the environment for national and international companies and governments.

Dr. Anderson has over 25 years of experience in working both within government institutions and for corporate entities. Previously, for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), she founded and directed the Agency’s Carcinogen Assessment Group and the central risk assessment programs for 10 years. In this capacity, she was Executive Director of the EPA committee that initially adopted risk assessment as a basis for carrying out the Agency’s regulatory mandates. She has also worked extensively on international risk assessment issues to address human health and ecological consequences of exposure to environmental toxicants, including for private companies, governments, the World Health Organization, and the Pan American Health Organization.

Dr. Anderson is a founder and past-President of the Society for Risk Analysis, regularly serves on peer review panels for Public Agencies and Institutions, has participated in numerous national and international commissions and organizations concerned with risk based issues, and has lectured and published widely in the field of risk assessment. She is also Editor-in-Chief of the journal, Risk Analysis: An International Journal.

Dr. Anderson is a Fellow of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences and the recipient of numerous awards including Twentieth Century Distinguished Service Award, Ninth Lukacs Symposium (1999), Outstanding Service Award, Society for Risk Analysis (1997), Jerry F. Stara Memorial Award (1994), SES Bonus for Outstanding Performance, (1984), EPA Gold Medal for Exceptional Service (1978), Kappa Kappa Gamma National Achievement Award (1974), and a William Author Mattox Merit Scholarship (1962). She also holds a patent and continues her professional activities through memberships in American Association for the Advancement of Science; American College of Toxicology; New York Academy of Sciences; Society for Risk Analysis; and Society of Toxicology.

  • Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, American University, 1970
  • M.S., Organic Chemistry, University of Virginia, 1964
  • B.S., Organic Chemistry, College of William and Mary, 1962
  • Presidential Recognition Award, Society for Risk Analysis, 2006
  • The 2006 International Achievement Award, The International Society of Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 2006
  • Fellow, Academy of Toxicological Sciences
  • Twentieth Century Distinguished Service Award, Ninth Lukacs Symposium, 1999
  • Outstanding Service Award, Society for Risk Analysis, 1997
  • Jerry F. Stara Memorial Award, 1994
  • SES Bonus for Outstanding Performance, 1984
  • EPA Gold Medal for Exceptional Service, 1978
  • Kappa Kappa Gamma National Achievement Award, 1974
  • William Author Mattox Merit Scholarship, 1962

    • Patent 3,738,011: Thickness-scratch testing device, 1973 (with E. Brown).