The Society of Toxicology (SOT) 2015 Public Communications Award recipient Andrew Maynard utilizes social media outlets in a novel way to communicate public health topics to broad audiences. He has been featured in nearly all media formats including television, print, web, and radio, and writes regularly for his personal blog, 2020 Science. Dr. Maynard is most recognized for his established social media presence on a YouTube channel called "Risk Bites." His work on "Risk Bites" is rooted in the sciences of toxicology, exposure assessment, epidemiology, and risk. With simple graphics and concise language, Dr. Maynard provides insight into risk and safety topics that are presented in an easily understandable way. "Risk Bites" has been featured in mainstream publications ranging from USA Today to the technology website Gizmodo. More recently, Dr. Maynard was recognized as one of “The Top 50 Science Stars on Twitter,” by Science magazine.
In the classroom, Dr. Maynard consistently challenges students to reach wider audiences of scientists and the general public alike by using innovative communications formats. His course “Communicating Science through Social Media” provided a unique approach to learning how to use social media as a tool to raise and help explain complex public health issues to those with or without advanced technical backgrounds.
In the scientific community, Dr. Maynard contributes significantly to peer-reviewed literature, serves on many journal editorial boards, actively participates in national and local conferences and workshops, and is a regularly invited lecturer. He is a recognized leader in the field of nanotechnology and has been published widely on topics such as exposure, risk, regulation, toxicological impacts, and the challenges associated with the evaluation of nanomaterials.
Dr. Maynard currently serves as the Director of the University of Michigan Risk Science Center. Based on his dedication to broadening public awareness of toxicological issues, the Society is pleased to present Dr. Maynard with the 2015 SOT Public Communications Award.