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Katrina Smith Korfmacher, Ph.D.

Contact Information

Phone Numbers

Office: (585) 273-4304

Research Labs

Locations

University of Rochester Medical Center
School of Medicine and Dentistry
601 Elmwood Ave, Box EHSC
Rochester, NY 14642

Faculty Appointments

Biography

Research

Community Outreach and Engagement Core

The COEC maintains multidirectional links between environmental health research and the information needs of the community. My primary focus is addressing environmental health information and policy needs of the communities in and around Rochester. I participate in many local partnerships relating to environmental health including the Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning, the Rochester Healthy Homes Partnership, the Water Education Collaborative and the Pollution Prevention Institute.

As a policy scientist, most of my research has addressed the role of science in the policy process. I focus on the role of community groups in the policy process, and particularly on how these groups generate, access, and use information.

My outreach work translates environmental health research into relevant policy at the local, state, and federal levels. For example, childhood lead poisoning remains one of the most significant childhood environmental health risks in the Rochester area. I have been an active member of the Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning since 2001, serving on its Governmental Relations Subcommittee and Executive Committee. Through the Rochester Healthy Homes Partnership, I help to develop and promote programs aimed at reducing home environmental hazards. Other environmental health outreach projects address risks from consuming Lake Ontario fish, concerns about air quality, the environmental contributors to obesity, and water quality.

Credentials

Education

1989
BA | Brown University
Environmental Health Sci

1993
MS | Duke University
Environment

1996
PhD | Duke University
Environment

Awards

2012
Advocate's Spirit Award
Sponsor: Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester
Location: Rochester, NY

2010
Dr. David Satcher Community Health Improvement Award
Location: University of Rochester

2006
Metrojustice Activist of the Year award

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Publications

Journal Articles

2018
"The Potential for Proactive Housing Inspections to Inform Public Health Interventions." Journal of public health management and practice : JPHMP.. 2018 24(5):444-447.

11/2016
"Collaborating for Systems Change: A Social Science Framework for Academic Roles in Community Partnerships." New solutions : a journal of environmental and occupational health policy : NS.. 2016 Nov 0; 26(3):429-457. Epub 2016 Aug 20.

12/1/2015
Payne-Sturges DC, Korfmacher KS, Cory-Slechta DA, Jimenez M, Symanski E, Carr Shmool JL, Dotson-Newman O, Clougherty JE, French R, Levy JI, Laumbach R, Rodgers K, Bongiovanni R, Scammell MK. "Engaging Communities in Research on Cumulative Risk and Social Stress-Environment Interactions: Lessons Learned from EPA's STAR Program." Environmental justice.. 2015 Dec 1; 8(6):203-212.

Books & Chapters

2019
Chapter Title: Bridging Silos: Collaborating for Environment, Health and Justice
Book Title: Urban Communities
Author List: Korfmacher, K.S.
Published By: MIT Press 2019

2004
Book Title: Collaborative environmental management: What roles for government?
Author List: Koontz, T.M., T.A. Steelman, J.Carmin, K.S. Korfmacher, C. Moseley, and C.W. Thomas
Published By: Resources for the Future 2004 in Washington DC

1999
Chapter Title: A view from the bottom of the heap: A junior faculty member confronts the risks of service-learning.
Book Title: Acting Locally: Concepts and Methods for Service-Learning in Env. Studies
Author List: Harold Ward, Ed.
Published By: American Association for Higher Education 1999 in Washington DC

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Videos

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Get the Lead Out: What You Need to Know about Lead Paint Poisoning