By Mitierra Johnson, Research Associate
As a child, Jennifer (Jenny) Hoponick Redmon was always drawn to the natural world, finding joy in the woods, collecting rocks, and marveling at the wonders of science. When her father was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, it sparked an additional interest in how the things we can’t see in our environment could affect human health.
This personal experience shaped Jenny’s focus on environmental science, including advanced placement high school courses and eventually, the path to college and a career in environmental health science.
While pursuing her undergraduate degree in environmental science at Indiana University in Bloomington and minoring in psychology, she became fascinated by how our minds shape our behavior and environmental health. She earned two graduate degrees – in environmental science with a focus on chemistry, toxicology, and risk assessment; and in public administration, with a focus on environmental policy and natural resource management.
After graduate school, Jenny embarked on a career in environmental consulting, eager to take what she had learned and apply it in real-world scenarios. This experience gave her firsthand knowledge of how to assess contamination, monitor risks, and implement remediation strategies. However, she realized that while we could fix problems in specific locations, there was a larger need to help communities understand the risks they faced and empower them to improve their health outcomes.
When Jenny joined RTI International in 2011, she pursued the opportunity for a community-focused and data-driven approach to problem solving. She worked on a range of projects, including risk assessments for coal ash waste management under contract with the EPA, but a career-defining period occurred in 2016. NC lawmakers debated whether lead contamination in water in child-occupied settings was a problem worth addressing. Meanwhile, Jenny ideated a way to help address serious data gaps that hindered effective policy solutions.
She led the launch of the Clean Water for Carolina Kids pilot study, which aimed at to determine whether lead contamination was prevalent in childcare centers and evaluate a participatory science testing approach. The pilot findings acted asis the catalyst for a larger statewide program in partnership with the NC Division of Public Health’s Children’s Environmental Health Unit, along with new lead testing rules and a reduced lead hazard level.
Jenny’s commitment to this work has been acknowledged with several honors and awards, including the Environmental Business Journal Award for Project Merit, Harvard University’s esteemed Roy Award for Environmental Partnership, a Mutual of America Hometown Heroes Community Partnership award, and induction into the Triangle Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Leadership Award list.
Reflecting on her work, one of the most challenging aspects is that it has become harder to engage with communities post-COVID. People are busier than ever, and time is a limited resource. But she has learned to adapt. One of the most rewarding aspects of this work has been seeing the tangible impact it has on children and families. Another is having the opportunity to collaborate within RTI, across NC, and globally on critically important issues. Her vision is to help “identify and eliminate exposure to contaminants, especially lead, where people live, learn, work, and play.”
“One thing I’m passionate about is that it’s not just about the science; it’s about how we communicate it so people understand and prioritize ways to improve our health within our everyday lives,” she says.
Being part of the North Carolina Lead and Healthy Homes Task Force has been a rewarding experience, allowing experts from various fields to discuss challenges and brainstorm solutions on public health issues like lead in children’s food, improving air quality, or exploring the impact of allergens.
Outside of her career, Jenny enjoys hiking in national parks and exploring other places. “Traveling, especially to places where life is different, gives me a greater appreciation for the way we live and the challenges we face,” she reflects. One of her favorite pastimes? A good game of Scrabble, where she can unwind and tap into her penchant for weird words. “It’s a game I’ve always loved,” she says, laughing. “I used to play with my Mom growing up and now I do with my kids.”
In her work, Jenny sees every project as an opportunity to improve lives, protect the environment, and leave a lasting impact, motivated by the idea that every small change can lead to something much bigger – especially when there’s collaboration.