Communications & Public Liaison

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 Flowers, M.A.
Director, Office of Communications and Public Liaison

Tel 919-260-9651
Fax 301-480-2978
bruskec@niehs.nih.gov

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:

• Audiovisual Production
• Community Outreach
• Event Planning
• Exhibits, Demonstrations, and Science Conferences
• Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests
• History of NIEHS
• International Visits and Protocol
• Kids Environment Kids Health: Discover, Explore, Learn
• Media Relations
• Newsletter: Environmental Factor
• Public Information Brochures, Fact Sheets and Booklets
• Public Inquiry Responses
• Photography, Arts and Graphics
• Science Writing and Editing
• Social Media
• STEM Education Support
• Strategic Communications and Planning
• Study Participant Recruitment
• Webcasts and Webinars
• Website Development and Management

Communications and Public Liaison Staff

Jesse Saffron, J.D.
Deputy Director, Office of Communications and Public Liaison

Tel 984-287-3196
jesse.saffron@nih.gov

Jennifer Harker, Ph.D.
Technical Writer/Editor

Tel 240-550-2899
jennifer.harker@nih.gov

Carol B. Kelly, M.A.
Managing Editor

Tel 919-268-9446
carol.kelly@nih.gov

Robin Mackar, M.P.H.
Writer/Media Relations Coordinator

Tel 984-287-3355
robin.mackar@nih.gov

Joseph D. Poccia
Digital Design Manager

Tel 984-287-3305
joseph.poccia@nih.gov

Caroline T. Stetler
Editor-in-Chief, Environmental Factor Newsletter

Tel 984-287-4622
caroline.stetler@nih.gov

Ian V. Thomas
Public Information Officer

Tel 984-227-0113
ian.thomas@nih.gov

Cheryl R. Thompson, MBA
Web Manager

Tel 984-287-3329
Fax 301-480-3250
thompsonc2@niehs.nih.gov

Regina Stabile, J.D.
Program Director, Privacy and FOIA

Tel 984-287-3324
regina.stabile@nih.gov

Tony O. Livingston
FOIA Specialist

Tel 984-287-4478
tony.livingston@nih.gov

Eve Zamora
Privacy Coordinator

Tel 984-287-3636
eve.zamora@nih.gov

Science Editorial Services

Marla V. Broadfoot, Ph.D.
Contractor — Science Writer & Editor

Tel 919-270-8298
marla.broadfoot@nih.gov