Hilary Godwin

Hilary Joan Arnold Godwin (born December 1, 1967) is a professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the University of Washington and the dean of the School of Public Health. Godwin studies the biochemistry of lead and how to diminish the impact of climate change on public health.

Early life and education Godwin's father, stepfather and stepmother were all herpetologists. Her mother studied ants and became a biology teacher. She earned an undergraduate degree in chemistry at the University of Chicago in 1989, where she was part of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. She moved to Stanford University for her doctoral degree in physical chemistry, which she completed in 1994. Whilst at Johns Hopkins University Godwin researched how lead can interact with RNA, causing learning difficulties and behavioural issues. She was made a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor in 2002. Whilst at Northwestern University she began research into lead poisoning, and particularly how it impacts children. In the collar counties of Chicago, houses were built before the federal government of the United States passed a law banning lead paint. Godwin became concerned about the levels of lead in her family home, and particularly the risk that her son would suffer from lead poisoning. In this capacity she has led open public health forums, including discussions about the relationship between public health and homelessness, and connected various stakeholders to the University of Washington Population Health Initiative.

Academic service Whilst at Northwestern University Godwin was awarded $1 million from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute program to support students move between high school and college. At the time, only 1% of the faculty in the United States' Top 50 chemistry departments was African American.

Awards and honours Her awards and honours include:

1996 The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation New Faculty Award 1998 Burroughs-Wellcome Foundation Toxicology Investigator Award 1999 National Science Foundation CAREER Awards 2000 Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellowship 2000 Camille Dreyfus Award

Selected publications Her publications include: