The Office of Communications & Public Liaison is the first source of news and information about the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). The communications team provides a broad range of services to support the institute's ground-breaking biomedical research, and to share its discoveries with Members of Congress, local governments, public health officials, the media, and communities throughout the world.

Christine Bruske Flowers joined NIEHS in 2004 as Director of the Office of Communications and Public Liaison (OCPL). She serves as the Institute's chief advisor on international protocol, community engagement, and information sharing to build support and cooperation for institute’s mission. She leads a team of highly skilled communications, science, and policy professionals. She co-chairs the institute’s Cyberinfrastructure Leadership Committee. Ms. Flowers reports to the institute Director, Dr. Rick Woychik, and is the director’s primary speech writer-editor. In previous roles, Ms. Flowers led communications and outreach activities for other U.S. federal government programs including International Affairs for the Department of the Interior, and the Everglades Restoration Program for the Army Corps of Engineers. Ms. Flowers also served as Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs for the North Carolina House of Representatives, and Director of Public Relations for the U.S. House of Representatives in North Carolina's Fourth Congressional District. Ms. Flowers is a veteran of the U.S. Army Medical Specialty Corps. She holds an M.A. in Public Affairs Journalism from Regent University, and a B.S. in Biology from North Carolina State University.

Key services provided:

Communications and Public Liaison Staff

Jesse Saffron, J.D.
Jesse Saffron, J.D.
Deputy Director, Office of Communications and Public Liaison
Tel 984-287-3196
[email protected]
Carol B. Kelly, M.A.
Carol B. Kelly, M.A.
Managing Editor
Tel 919-268-9446
[email protected]
Robin Mackar, M.P.H.
Robin Mackar, M.P.H.
Writer/Media Relations Coordinator
Tel 984-287-3355
[email protected]
Virginia Matthews
Virginia Matthews
Support Staff: Administrative Specialist for OCPL
Tel 984-287-3871
[email protected]
Joseph D. Poccia
Joseph D. Poccia
Digital Design Manager
Tel 984-287-3305
[email protected]
Caroline T. Stetler
Caroline T. Stetler
Editor-in-Chief, Environmental Factor Newsletter
Tel 984-287-4622
[email protected]
Ian V. Thomas
Ian V. Thomas
Public Information Officer
Tel 984-227-0113
[email protected]
Cheryl R. Thompson, MBA
Cheryl R. Thompson, MBA
Web Manager
Tel 984-287-3329
Fax 301-480-3250
[email protected]
Regina Stabile, J.D.
Regina Stabile, J.D.
Program Director, Privacy and FOIA
Tel 984-287-3324
[email protected]
Tony O. Livingston
Tony O. Livingston
FOIA Specialist
Tel 984-287-4478
[email protected]
Not Pictured
Eve Zamora
Privacy Coordinator
Tel 984-287-3636
[email protected]

Science Editorial Services

Marla V. Broadfoot, Ph.D.
Marla V. Broadfoot, Ph.D.
Contractor - Science Writer & Editor
Tel 919-270-8298
[email protected]

NIEHS conference booth