Forever Chemicals: Contamination in Food and Packaging
Experts Interviewed

  • Rainer Lohmann

    Rainer Lohmann
    Director of the URI Superfund Research Center STEEP
    University of Rhode Island

    Since 2017, Lohmann has led a Superfund Research Center at URI, one among ~ 20 nationwide. It is a 5-year effort in collaboration with scientists from Harvard University and the Silent Spring Institute. The “STEEP” Center focuses on the Sources, Transport, Exposure and Effects of PFASs. Within STEEP, Lohmann leads his own research project into novel detection tools for PFASs.

    Beyond STEEP, he also studies the transport and bioavailability of legacy organic contaminants, such as PCBs or dioxins, either close to home at Superfund sites or in remote regions, often relying on passive sampling. Lohmann has also engaged with decision-makers by working with scientists from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Environment Canada to advance the use of novel sampling devices to better characterize fluxes of organic pollutants in water and air.
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  • Jitka Becanova

    Jitka Becanova
    Assistant Research Professor of Oceanography
    University of Rhode Island

    As an environmental chemist, Becanova combines her expertise in analytical chemistry and environmental engineering. Her research focuses on emerging environmental contaminants such as PFAS, with a particular emphasis on the development of new technologies for their detection and, potentially, for their remediation. Becanova's overall goal is to identify the presence of compounds of concern in the environment and help reduce human exposure.

  • Paul South

    Paul South
    Senior Advisor on PFAS in the Office of Food Chemical Safety, Dietary Supplements and Innovation
    FDA

    Dr. Paul South is responsible for developing policy, regulations, regulatory guidance, and compliance strategies on issues related to the safety of plant products and beverages including chemical contaminants in food. He received his Ph.D. in food science from Cornell University.

  • Gregory Noonan

    Gregory Noonan
    Director, Office of Chemistry and Toxicology in the Human Foods Program
    FDA

    Dr. Gregory Noonan joined the US Food and Drug Administration in 2002 as Research Chemist, studying food additives and contact materials and is currently the Director, Office of Chemistry and Toxicology (OCT) in the Human Foods Program. OCT is a laboratory Office, which develops laboratory-based chemical methods, provides technical support and expert advice on scientific issues, and develops new approach methods (NAMs) for toxicological evaluations. Since 2020 and before becoming OCT Office Director, Dr. Noonan occupied various temporary positions in the Office of Dietary Supplement Programs (ODSP), including acting Office and Deputy Director and Senior Science Advisor.

    Prior to joining ODSP, he ran the Division of Bioanalytical Chemistry (DBC). DBC contained over 30 scientists performing research and developing analytical methods in numerous subject areas, including, toxic elements analysis, immunodiagnostic and DNA-based allergen detection, radionuclides, pesticide analysis, mycotoxin analysis, dietary supplements and botanicals, nutritional ingredients and cosmetics. Dr. Noonan also served as the US Delegate to the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) from 2012 to 2022, where he chaired the Working Group on the Endorsement of Methods.
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  • Dr. Olivier Chevallier

    Dr. Olivier Chevallier
    R&D Scientist
    Agilent Technologies

    Dr. Olivier Chevallier obtained his PhD in Organic Chemistry from Queen’s University Belfast in 2008. He subsequently led the Advanced Mass Spectrometry Core Technology Unit at QUB, where he specialized in the development of high-resolution and ambient mass spectrometry workflows for untargeted profiling and fingerprinting of complex matrices, with a focus on food safety, quality, and authenticity.

    Over the course of his career, he authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and presented widely at international scientific forums. In 2023, he joined Agilent Technologies as an LC/MS Application Scientist and transitioned to an R&D Scientist role in 2025.
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  • Lorna De Leoz, Ph.D.

    Lorna De Leoz, Ph.D.
    Director, Global Food Market
    Agilent Technologies

    With nearly two decades of experience in the food industry, Dr. Lorna De Leoz serves as Global Food Market Director at Agilent, working closely with scientists, regulators, and industry leaders to advance food safety, quality, and authenticity. Her mission is to empower customers with innovative analytical solutions that deliver reliable, actionable insights — helping them protect public health and adapt to evolving regulatory and consumer expectations.