AGRO Fellow Awards

Yelena Sapozhnikova is a Research Chemist at the Eastern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania.

Yelena’s research focuses on the development of novel methods for analysis of chemical contaminants, including pesticides, veterinary drugs, legacy and emerging contaminants to improve their analysis and enhance food safety. She conducts research projects on sample processing and preparation, analytical separations, detection, data processing and method validation for diverse chemical contaminants in foods to improve their analysis and, ultimately, protect human health. Her research work has resulted in 75 publications, including 2 book chapters, multiple invited presentations, webinars, interviews and given trainings in the USA and abroad. She currently serves on the Editorial Boards of the Journal of Food Protection and Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology.

Prior to joining USDA in 2011, Yelena was a Research Chemist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Charleston, SC, where she developed analytical methods for analysis of emerging contaminants, including pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), hormones, flame retardants, novel antifouling biocides, andapplied the developed methods to monitor contaminants in estuarine and marine environment. She served on the Board of Directors for Carolinas SETAC (Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry) in 2005-2011.

Yelena joined ACS while conducting her postdoctoral studies at the Environmental Sciences Department, University of California, Riverside, 2001-2004. In 2004, she received the Agrochemical Division Young Scientist Research Travel Award. Yelena has organized and chaired several symposia for the ACS national meetings and Pacifichem meeting, served on AGRO Executive Committee, and served as an AGRO Division email newsletter editor for the last ten years.

Past Awardees