It was a toxicology class at the Inter American University in Puerto Rico that spurred USF College of Public Health (COPH) graduate Dr. Luis F. Pieretti’s interest in industrial hygiene. 

“At that time, I was thinking about pursuing a graduate degree, but I wasn’t sure in which field,” said Pieretti, who hails from the municipality of Yauco, located in the southern part of Puerto Rico. “The professor who taught the [toxicology] course gave me a booklet from the Society of Toxicology that listed graduate programs. While browsing the programs, I came across the industrial hygiene program at the University of Puerto Rico. After doing some research, I discovered that I really liked the idea of helping protect workers’ health.”

“I discovered that I really liked the idea of helping protect workers’ health.”

From Puerto Rico to Tampa

Pieretti says he decided to pursue his doctoral degree in industrial hygiene (now called occupational exposure science) at the COPH because of the research the college was conducting and the highly regarded faculty driving it.

“My advisor, Dr. Yehia Y. Hammad, who’s now retired, had an extensive knowledge of and enthusiasm for the industrial hygiene field,” said Pieretti, who received his PhD from the college in 2010. “He really inspired me to be a better professional. The same applies to Drs. Thomas Bernard and Steve Mlynarek, who, even though I’ve graduated from the program, still provide valuable advice. When I started at the college, the language barrier was a big challenge,” Pieretti added. “However, the support and patience of the COPH faculty and staff helped me a lot. Walking the hallways of the COPH and having great relationships not only with the faculty but all the supporting staff made my journey more pleasurable.” 

“Walking the hallways of the COPH and having great relationships not only with the faculty but all the supporting staff made my journey more pleasurable.”

From student to industrial hygiene specialist

Pieretti has worked as an industrial hygiene specialist with the pharmaceutical giant Johnson and Johnson, a safety and health consultant for USF SafetyFlorida Consultation Program (which provides free, confidential, compliance assistance to Florida’s small, high-hazard and private-sector employers) and a private industrial hygiene consultant. 

Today, Pieretti is the manager of the industrial hygiene program at The MEMIC Group, a workers’ compensation carrier with corporate offices in Portland, Maine.

“I help policyholders prevent occupational injuries and enhance their current occupational safety and health programs,” Pieretti explained. “I am the first person occupying my current position, so it’s allowed me to have a blank slate to develop and implement the industrial hygiene policies and practices for the company. I love the fact that I still get to do exposure assessments and conduct research through the MEMIC Safety Research Center.”

Pieretti says his proudest professional accomplishment to date has been his selection to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) Board of Scientific Counselors and his work launching the MEMIC Safety Research Center, which debuted in Feb. 2021.

“The objectives of the research center are sponsoring and conducting research focused on the understanding and reduction of occupational injuries and illnesses,” Pieretti said. “We’re also developing and publishing information stemming from that safety research and serving as a bridge between business, academia and state entities by sharing resources for enhancing the knowledge of injury prevention.” The center will be awarding a grant of $30,000. You can read more about it here. 

What’s the future hold for Pieretti? He’s hoping for more opportunities to conduct and share (especially with public health students) research in the occupational safety and health field.

“What interests me the most about public health is the multidisciplinary approach it takes to solving problems,” Pieretti commented. “Complex issues have complex answers, and having a multidisciplinary approach is essential—not only to address the issues but also to communicate and educate affected stakeholders.”

“Complex issues have complex answers, and having a multidisciplinary approach is essential… .”

Alumni Fast Five

What did you dream of becoming when you were young?

A scientist.

Where can we find you on the weekends?

At home with my beloved wife and dog.

What is the last book you read?

“Warnings: Finding Cassandras to Stop Catastrophes,” by Richard A. Clarke and R.P. Eddy

What superpower would you like to have?

Teletransportation.

What’s your all-time favorite movie? 

“The Hunt for Red October.”

Story by Donna Campisano, USF College of Public Health

---