An official website of the United States government.

This is not the current EPA website. To navigate to the current EPA website, please go to www.epa.gov. This website is historical material reflecting the EPA website as it existed on January 19, 2021. This website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work. More information »

About EPA

About the Homeland Security Research Program

What We Do

The U.S. EPA’s Homeland Security Research Program provides scientific solutions that:

  • Improve water utilities’ abilities to prepare for and respond to incidents that threaten public health.
  • Advance EPA’s capabilities to respond to wide area chemical, biological or radiological contamination incidents, including those caused by natural disasters.

This research program strengthens the resiliency of our communities by providing water utility managers, on-scene coordinators, laboratory technicians, risk assessors, and emergency responders with the scientific tools; methodologies and technologies; and technical support to prepare for, respond to, and rapidly recover from all environmental disasters.

Shawn Ryan, PhD, National Program Director

  • Email: Shawn Ryan (ryan.shawn@epa.gov)
  • Phone: 919-541-0699

Shawn Ryan, PhD, Lead for Decontamination Research

  • Email: Shawn Ryan (ryan.shawn@epa.gov)
  • Phone: 919-541-0699

Emily Snyder, PhD, Lead for Sampling and Analytical Methods Research

  • Email: Emily Snyder (snyder.emily@epa.gov)
  • Phone: 919-541-1006   

Sarah Taft, PhD, Lead for Exposure Assessment Research

  • Email: Sarah Taft (taft.sarah@epa.gov)
  • Phone: 513-569-7037   

Kelly Dipolt, Co-Lead for Water Security Research

  • Email: Kelly Dipolt (dipolt.kelly@epa.gov)
  • Phone: 513-569-7333  

James Goodrich, PhD,  Co-Lead for Water Security Research

  • Email: James Goodrich (goodrich.james@epa.gov)
  • Phone: 513-569-7605