George Cobb, Ph.D.
Professor Department Chair
Environmental Science
Education
- Chair of the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC)
- Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.
- B.S. in Chemistry, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC.
Academic and Research Interests
For the past two decades Prof. Cobb's research group has developed forensic analytical techniques to assess contaminant presence and transport. Many of these techniques have been deployed to evaluate processes in organisms and environmental systems. Major research thrusts have involved coupling ultra-trace analytical methods with minimally invasive non-lethal monitoring techniques. This approach allows repeated measures during long term monitoring of organism exposure, which is a critical component of comprehensive risk assessments.
Most recently, Prof. Cobb's group has emphasized: nanomaterial alteration of amphibian and plant development; factors influencing proper function of industrial wastewater treatment facilities; interactions of toxicants and light to induce stress; airborne transport of steroids from concentrated animal feeding operations; explosives transformation in mammals; and ultra-trace measurement of acutely toxic volatile compounds.
Professor Cobb has published over 140 peer reviewed papers and maintains strong national and international collaborations through leadership positions in The American Chemical Society, The Society or Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.
Professional Affiliations
American Chemical Society, 1981 - present
- Committee on Environmental Improvement, 2010 - present
- Environmental Chemistry Division, 1984 - present
- Member at Large, 2003 - 2004
- Chair Elect, 2013-2015
- Alternate Councilor, 2008 - present
- Executive Committee, 2002 - present
- Treasurer, 2009 - 2013
Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry, 1998 - present
- World World Council, 2009 - 2012
- SIACM Steering Committee, 2009-2012
- President, North America, 2010 - 2011
- Vice President, North America, 2009 - 2010
- Board of Directors, North America, 2006 - 2012
- Annual Meeting Chair, 2003
- Chemists in SETAC Advisory Group, 1994 - present
Student Awards
Alumni from Prof Cobb's group span several Universities. These students have earned national and international recognition such as:
Graduate Student Awardees
- Adair, Blakely, M. Ph.D. - Karen Wetterhahn Memorial Awardee, NIEHS/USEPA.; Best Platform Presentation (Runner-up), SETAC North America.
- Cruz-Li, Emilia, I. MSc. - Fulbright Scholar
- Mc Daniel, Les, Ph.D. - ARCS Scholar
- Nations, Shawna, MSc. - SETAC Jeff Black Awardee
- Pan, Xiaoping, PhD. - ACS Environmental Chemistry Best Student Paper Awardee
- Smith, Jordan. PhD. - USEPA STAR Fellow, ARCS Scholar Wang, Jiafan - SETAC/ACS ENVR Student Exchange Awardee
Undergraduate Awardees
- Cowles, Jim, 1989. (B.Sc., Aquatic Toxicology) - Winner of the Huxley College Research Award
High School Awardees
- Gallaway, Clayton - DDT and its transformation products in kidneys of sparrows following flight. Runner up, Open Division International Science Fair.
- Grier, Matthew - Third place SC JAS 1997, Winner Baruch Award for Environmental Research