Michael Ciarlo

Michael Ciarlo is scientist who draws from over 20 years of experience applying technical expertise in ecology, toxicology, environmental chemistry, risk assessment, remediation, environmental planning, and ecological restoration to solve a wide range of environmental problems under federal and state regulatory frameworks for investigation, assessment, and remediation of toxic and hazardous substances. Michael graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from Duke University in 1995 and a Masters of Environmental Sciences and Policy from Johns Hopkins University in 2002. He has been teaching for Hopkins as an adjunct professor since 2010. He is currently a Senior Scientist and Project Manager for EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc. PBC. Michael is an active member of the Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry and a strong proponent of collaboration between public, private, and academic sector professionals. 

As a consultant, Michael has led multi-disciplinary teams to solve a diverse array of environmental problems, working closely with federal and state agencies, universities, natural resources stakeholders, and local communities to build consensus through innovative science and policy development. As a sediment chemistry and remediation specialist, Michael is currently leading several sediment clean-ups in the Great Lakes region funded by the EPA with public and private partners. These projects are being conducted under the Great Lakes Legacy Act with the goal of remediating over 200,000 tons of sediment contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). As a risk assessor, he is overseeing a landmark effort commissioned by the American Cleaning Institute to perform human health safety assessments of every ingredient in laundry, dish, and hard surface cleaning products in the United States. Examples of his past work include assessing ecological risks for over 250 hazardous waste sites stretching from Connecticut to Puerto Rico to Guam; researching the ecological effects of exotic compounds, including chemical warfare materiel and incendiary chemicals; and studying the fate, transport, and effects of consumer product ingredients in wastewater.

A Maryland native, he has lead studies of the chemical composition of sediments from the Chesapeake Bay and Baltimore Harbor to help manage dredged material, plan navigational dredging, and support restoration of Poplar Island. He has also led major environmental planning, compliance, and clean-up projects at U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground, including development of environmentally sustainable remedies for sites containing munitions and chemical warfare materiel. His fields of expertise include risk communication, community outreach, stakeholder involvement, and technical mentoring across a range of settings and regulatory frameworks.