Craig Downs Ph.D. is a forensic ecotoxicologist, environmental chemist, and stress physiologist. His research program “sleuths” the culprits that cause ecological degradation or environmental diseases in vulnerable populations. His work has contributed to banning almost a dozen pesticides in dozens of countries, as well as mitigation measures for pregnant persons and mothers for reducing their exposure to pollutants that can result in miscarriages and birth defects. He is most famous for his work on sunscreen and coral reefs, and has been interviewed by a broad range of media outlets, such as the New York Times, Vogue, Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, Glamour, and Consumer Reports. He has waged successful campaigns for industry to adopt “paraben-free” and “oxybenzone-free” cosmetic and sunscreen formulations.
Dr. Downs is Executive Director of Haereticus Environmental Laboratory, a nonprofit organization that conducts scientific research to preserve healthy ecosystems and consumer choices for a healthy lifestyle. He has held positions as research professor at University of Hawaii’s School of Medicine and Sweet Briar College, and is currently a visiting professor at Sorbonne University in France. Dr. Downs received a B.A. in philosophy and biology from Hiram College, a M.Sc. from Syracuse University in biology, and a Ph.D. from the John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii in cell and molecular biology.