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Christy Leppanen, Ph.D., is an environmental scientist with experience where statutes governing biological, physical, and chemical contaminants are applied. From 2021 to 2025, she was the first microplastic pollution subject matter expert at the FDA Center for Tobacco Products. She was hired to support the agency’s compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009, and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Dr. Leppanen earned a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Memphis, an M.S. in Biology from the University of Memphis, and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Maine. She has worked with NGOs, with state, territorial, and federal governments, with international efforts, and taught and published in environmental toxicology, entomology, invasion biology, and conservation science. Dr. Leppanen was an Associate Editor of the journal Biological Invasions, and her work has been supported by the National Science Foundation, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the National Geographic Society, and the University of Washington’s Helen R. Whiteley Center.
She also wrote the 2014 Foreword INDIES Bronze Winner for Horror, Bulletin of ZOMBIE Research: Volume 1, that was awarded the Kirkus Star.