Christopher M. Pitoscia, MPH, CSP

Roles and Responsibilities

As Director, Chris is responsible for leading the Research Safety Programs and Occupational Safety Teams and establishing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders from the University community, including Principal Investigators, Department Chairpersons, Deans, Facilities Operations and Compliance teams, Capital Project Management personnel, Public Safety and others to ensure the consistent delivery of EH&S services and guidance across the University's research enterprise. Chris provides leadership, coaching and support to all EH&S staff, and strategic input to the overall direction of EH&S programming, and the safety culture of the organization, at large. In his capacity as a senior member of the Research Safety Program, in partnership with managers and leaders of each of EH&S’s program areas, Chris, facilitates the initiation and execution of safety-related operations and projects across all disciplines, promoting best practices within the organization. Chris serves as a primary communicator of EH&S initiatives and services on behalf of the organization.

Biography

Chris joined Columbia EH&S in 2004 and worked in a variety of roles in the Research Safety and Biological Safety programs before being named Director.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Vermont and a Master of Public Health from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. He earned his Certified Safety Professional accreditation through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals in 2016, and has been a guest instructor in the Mailman School’s Environmental Health Sciences Methods course, focusing on risk assessment, since 2015.  His current professional interests include advancing measurable safety criteria in Columbia’s laboratories and improving the overall safety culture of the University.

Chris enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing golf, seeing live music and traveling.