Shawn Gibbs

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Shawn Gibbs
Academic background
EducationBSc, biology, Ohio State University
MSc, environmental engineering, PhD, environmental science, 2002, University of Cincinnati
MBA, Agribusiness, University of Nebraska
ThesisCross-connections in potable water distribution systems : the fate of wastewater microbes introduced into a distribution system simulator (2002)
Academic work
InstitutionsTexas A&M University School of Public Health
Indiana University
University of Nebraska Medical Center
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Shawn G. Gibbs is an American industrial hygienist. As of 2020, he is the dean of the Texas A&M University School of Public Health. His research focuses on the disruption of high consequence infectious diseases.

Early life and education[edit]

Gibbs graduated from Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, becoming the first person in his family to graduate from college. Following this, he accepted a contractor position with the United States Environmental Protection Agency which led him to pursuing a master's degree and PhD at the University of Cincinnati.[1]

Career[edit]

Gibbs began his academic career at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and was the co-director of two Cores of the Hispanic Health Disparities Research Center.[2] While there, he was awarded a 2006 Fulbright Scholarship to conduct research in the Air Pollution Department of the National Research Center in Giza.[3] Following this, Gibbs accepted an associate professor position in the department of environmental, agricultural, and occupational health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in 2008.[4]

During his tenure at UMNC, Gibbs was promoted to Full Professor and became a certified industrial hygienist with the American Board of Industrial Hygiene[5] and served as the Associate Dean for Student Affairs in their College of Public Health.[6] He also completed an MBA in Agribusiness from the institution.[2] In 2013, Gibbs and UNMC were selected to host the Public Health cohort of Fulbright Visiting Scholars from Libya.[7] Gibbs was later promoted to Director of Research in the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit (NBU) which was instrumental in the United States' response to the Western African Ebola virus epidemic.[2][8] In this role, he helped determine policies, procedures, and best practices to treat patients with the disease.[9][10] Gibbs and the NBU actively treated three patients with Ebola virus diseases.[8] As recognition for their efforts in the USA, Gibbs and members of the NBU team received the American Industrial Hygiene’s Edward J. Baier Technical Achievement Award.[11]

Gibbs eventually left UMNC to become a Professor and Executive Associate Dean of Indiana University's School of Public Health.[2] While in this role, Gibbs continued to host Fulbright Scholar events and led a Fulbright Junior Faculty Development program for Egyptian scholars.[12] He also served for four years on the Board of Scientific Counselors Homeland Security Subcommittee and collaborated with the United States Airforce on Aeromedical Evacuation of patients with high consequence infectious diseases.[2]

In March 2020, Gibbs was announced as the dean of the Texas A&M School of Public Health effective May 1, 2020.[13] As a result of his public health and infectious disease expertise, Gibbs was invited to join the Southeastern Conference Medical Task Force for COVID-19 where he developed a multi-pronged approach aimed at reducing the spread of the virus on campus.[1] By December 2020, Gibbs was appointed to lead the Texas A&M's COVID-19 response.[14] As the pandemic continued, Gibbs also sat on the SEC's Return to Activity and Medical Guidance Task Force which was recognized with the Michael L. Slive Distinguished Service Award for their leadership and significant impact to the betterment of the mission of the conference.[15] Independently, Gibbs received the 2022 Industrial Hygiene Impact Award from the Board for Global Environmental, Health and Safety Credentialing and was appointed to sit on their Board of Directors.[16]

Personal life[edit]

Gibbs is married.[17]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Hendrix, Lindsey (February 4, 2021). "Meet The New Head of COVID-19 Efforts At Texas A&M". Texas A&M University. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Shawn Gibbs". Texas A&M University. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  3. ^ "U.S. FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR CONDUCTS RESEARCH AT NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTER". Fulbright Scholar. September 24, 2006. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  4. ^ "Spotlight on new faculty - meet Shawn Gibbs, Ph.D." University of Nebraska Medical Center. December 2, 2008. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  5. ^ Giles, Jo (December 21, 2009). "Dr. Gibbs certified as ABIH diplomat". University of Nebraska Medical Center. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  6. ^ "Shawn Gibbs, PhD". University of Nebraska Medical Center. August 15, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  7. ^ Kumru, Elizabeth (July 15, 2013). "College of Public Health to host Libyan scholars". University of Nebraska Medical Center. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Jelden, Katelyn C. (December 1, 2015). "Learning from Ebola: Interprofessional practice in the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit". Journal of Research in Interprofessional Practice and Education. 3: 97–99. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  9. ^ Kumru, Elizabeth (March 10, 2015). "Biocontainment Unit team publishes protocols". University of Nebraska Medical Center. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  10. ^ Cerino, Vicky (November 20, 2014). "UNMC team publishes guidance on safe testing of Ebola virus specimens". University of Nebraska Medical Center. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  11. ^ "AIHA to Honor New Award Recipients". American Industrial Hygiene Association. 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  12. ^ "Implementation of an Egyptian Visiting Junior Faculty Fulbright Program to Increase Public Health Capacity in Egypt". American Public Health Association. 2017. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  13. ^ Reynolds, Kelli (March 23, 2020). "Provost Announces New Dean For School Of Public Health". Texas A&M University. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  14. ^ "DR. SHAWN GIBBS APPOINTED TO LEAD THE UNIVERSITY'S RESPONSE TO COVID-19". Texas A&M University. December 16, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  15. ^ "SEC Honors Shawn Gibbs With Michael L. Slive Award". Texas A&M University. June 2, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  16. ^ Mitchell, Rae Lynn (November 27, 2023). "Gibbs named to the Board for Global Environmental, Health and Safety Credentialing". Texas A&M University. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  17. ^ Payne, Bailey (June 14, 2021). "THE DISTANCE IN BETWEEN". Texas A&M Foundation. Retrieved June 29, 2021.

External links[edit]