Shawn Gibbs, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

University of Nebraska Medical Center
College of Public Health

Professional Summary

• 2008-Present  Associate Professor, Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health, UNMC
• 2003-2008  Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental and Occupational Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston
• 2003-2008  Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of Texas at El Paso
• 2002-2003  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University College of Math and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati
• 2001-2003  Adjunct Instructor, Institute of Environmental Quality, Wright State University
• 2001-2003  Adjunct Instructor, College of Biological Sciences, Wright State University

Education

• Ph.D.  Environmental Science, University of Cincinnati, 2002
• M.S.  Environmental Science, University of Cincinnati, 2000
• B.S.  Biology, The Ohio State University, 1997

Research Interest & Projects

My research area is environmental exposure assessment, focusing on environmental microbiology. My focus is on environmental bioaerosols (bacterial, antibiotic resistant bacteria, fungal, viral) from both the indoor and ambient environments. This includes source evaluation, source tracking, and methods to reduce exposure. Exposure reduction includes both the source reduction of bioaerosol generation, as well as, evaluation of personal protective equipment and procedures (such as the N95 respirator and surgical masks) to reduce exposure. I have previously done work and I have ongoing projects in a wide range of environmental health topics from pesticide exposure, pregnancy outcomes, and health disparities.

Selected Publications (+ Denotes student)

• Gibbs, S.G., Green, C.F., Tarwater, P.M., +Mota, L.C., Mena, K.D., and Scarpino, P.V. 2006. Isolation of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria from the Air Plume Downwind of a Swine Confined or Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation. Environmental Health Perspectives, 114(7): 1032-1037.
• +Gandara, A., +Mota, L.C., +Flores, C., Perez, H.R., Green C.F. and Gibbs, S.G. 2006. Isolation of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Residential Indoor Bioaerosols. Environmental Health Perspectives. 114(12): 1859-1864.
• +Mota, L.C., Gibbs, S.G., Green, C.F., +Payan, F., Tarwater, P.M., and Ortiz M. 2008. Characterization of Seasonal Indoor and Outdoor Bioaerosols in the Arid Environment of El Paso, Texas. Journal of Environmental Health. 70 (10): 48-53.
• +Mota, L.C., Gibbs, S.G., Green C.F., +Flores, C.M., Tarwater, P.M., and Ortiz, M. 2008. Seasonal Fine and Coarse Culturable Fungal Constituents and Concentrations from Indoor and Outdoor Air Samples taken from an Arid Environment. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene. 5(8): 511-518.
• Mena K.D., +Mota, L.C., Meckes, M.C., Green, C.F., Hurd, W.W., and Gibbs, S.G. 2008. Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment of a Drinking Water-Wastewater Cross-Connection Simulation. Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science. 7(5): 525–530.

Professional Affiliations

• American Public Health Association
• International Water Association
• American Society of Microbiology
• American Water Works Association
• International Association for Aerobiology
• Texas Public Health Association
• National Environmental Health Association
• Public Health Association of Nebraska