6 | LEHIGH ALUMNI BULLETIN AIR POLLUTANTS IMPACT Lehigh researchers Hyunok Choi, associate professor in the department of Community and Population Health, and Breena Holland, associate professor of political science and the Environmental Initiative, along with Lehigh students, are partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to measure concentrations of ethylene oxide (EtO) and other volatile organic compounds in the air. The team has been conducting ambient air quality monitoring using ENTECH 6L Silonite Canisters equipped with timers and probes. This research aims to characterize ambient concentrations of volatile air toxics in Allentown, Pennsylvania, neighborhoods; identify likely sources and community health concerns; and collaborate with the community to sustain monitoring and activities that reduce health risks from air pollution. ON CAMPUS Becoming the Change Growing up in Harlem, Gladdys Soto admits she got into her fair share of trouble, meeting plenty of police officers in the process. “I came across several good police officers in my life who really shaped my view on police in a positive way,” said Soto, recalling her youthful indiscretions. Those interactions inspired Soto to become a security guard with the Lehigh University Police Department (LUPD) and, after attending the Allentown Police Academy earlier this year, the newest sworn officer with LUPD. “I wanted to be the change; I wanted to make that difference and offer a helping hand to whoever I can because we need that sometimes … I’m here to promote the positive aspects of law enforcement, because it’s not all bad,” Soto said. In April 2021, LUPD leaders signed the 30x30 Pledge, a commitment to increasing recruitment, retention and promotion of women in policing. The national initiative, started by a coalition of police leaders, researchers and professional organizations, began in 2018 and pledges to increase the representation of women in police recruit classes to 30% by 2030. “If young people don’t see other people they can identify with, then they won’t see themselves there,” said Associate Vice President of Campus Safety and Chief of Police Jason Schiffer. —Christina Tatu CHRISTA NEU
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