Special Interview with Prof. John W. Cherrie
On November 12, 2024, the Editorial Office of Journal of Environmental Exposure Assessment (JEEA) had the pleasure of interviewing Prof.John W. Cherrie, Emeritus Professor in the School of Engineering & Physical Sciences at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK. Prof. Cherrie, who earned his PhD in occupational hygiene from the University of Aberdeen, has had a distinguished career in occupational and environmental health, leading numerous research projects on human exposure to chemicals, pesticides, asbestos, and other environmental risk factors.
Originally trained in physics, Prof. Cherrie has leveraged his scientific expertise to pursue research with tangible societal impact. His early work focused on assessing occupational exposure to synthetic mineral fibers, honing skills in microscopy, exposure measurement, and methodological standardization. Over time, his research expanded to reconstructing exposures to diverse chemicals via inhalation, dermal contact, and ingestion, and more recently to hazardous substances and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. He also played a key role in developing predictive tools such as the Advanced REACH Tool (ART), which combines empirical data and modeling to deliver robust exposure assessments.
During the interview, Prof. Cherrie highlighted several challenges in the field, including limited exposure data, the complexity of lifetime exposure assessments, and funding constraints. He emphasized the integration of conceptual frameworks with measurement and modeling, while highlighting the exposome---the totality of environmental exposures across an individual's lifespan---as a pivotal frontier in environmental health research.
Prof. Cherrie also underscores the importance of collaborative research teams, knowledge exchange, original thinking, and perseverance in both research and funding pursuits. Regarding journal development, he stresses the need for a cohesive editorial vision, adherence to rigorous publication standards, and proactive engagement with the scientific community through conferences, webinars, and other initiatives, fostering an integrated and supportive research network.
Watch the video for Prof. John W. Cherrie's expert insights:
Interview questions:
1. Your research focuses on the effects of chemical exposure on human health, particularly regarding chemicals, pesticides, and metals. Could you share what motivated you to pursue this field?
2. Could you briefly introduce the current work of your research?
3. What challenges have you encountered in your research, and how did you overcome them?
4. With the development of new technologies, what do you see as the future direction of research? Which areas are likely to become particularly important?
5. Throughout your research on cancer, you have experienced many challenges. What advice would you give to young researchers or students who are just entering this field?
6. Based on your experience as an Editorial Board member of other journals, do you have suggestions for the continued development of JEEA?
Interviewee Profile:
Prof. John W. Cherrie is Emeritus Professor in the School of Engineering & Physical Sciences at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK. He holds a PhD in occupational hygiene from the University of Aberdeen and has had a distinguished career in occupational and environmental health.
Throughout his career, Prof. Cherrie has led and contributed to numerous research projects investigating the links between human health and exposure to chemicals, pesticides, asbestos, and other risk factors. Notable recent projects include studies on UV exposure and vitamin D status among outdoor construction workers, health impact assessments of air pollution in Thailand, and research on professional soccer players' brain health. He has also participated in large-scale European projects such as HEALS (Health and Environment-wide Associations based on Large Population Surveys) and ConstructHealth.sg, which examines occupational disease risks in the Singapore construction industry.
Prof. Cherrie has received numerous honors, including the Bedford Medal (2014) and the Jeffrey S. Lee Lecturer Award (2012). He served as President of the British Occupational Hygiene Society in 2007-2008 and delivered the inaugural John Cherrie Lecture in 2023. He is a retired Chartered Fellow of the Faculty of the British Occupational Hygiene Society (CFFOH) and has served on various advisory councils, including the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council.
Editor: Tracy Sun
Language Editor: Catherine Yang
Production Editor: Ting Xu
Respectfully Submitted by the Editorial Office of Journal of Environmental Exposure Assessment
