In the bustling headquarters of CHANGE Environmental in Saratoga Springs, New York, groundbreaking work unfolds daily under the leadership of Dr. Timothy R. McAuley. Since founding the organization in January 2008, McAuley has established himself as one of the foremost experts in environmental health, particularly in air quality assessment and infectious disease safety. His journey from biochemistry student to globally respected environmental strategist offers invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of environmental health and its impact on public wellbeing.
FOUNDATIONS OF EXCELLENCE: THE MAKING OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
Dr. McAuley’s path to becoming a leading figure in environmental health began with a pivotal role as principal investigator for the first-ever overseas air quality study in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This initial consulting experience catalyzed his decision to establish CHANGE Environmental, marking the beginning of what would become an illustrious career in environmental science and consulting.
McAuley’s educational background provides the bedrock for his comprehensive approach to environmental health challenges. His rigorous training encompassed human exposure assessment, toxicology, air quality analysis, receptor modeling, epidemiology, and biostatistical analysis. These studies were complemented by practical experience conducting various air and environmental pollution studies examining ambient, personal, and indoor exposures to air, soil, and water pollution.
What distinguishes McAuley in his field is his formal education in biochemistry, which has positioned him among an elite group of experts capable of integrating medical and scientific data. This unique skill set enables him to establish general and specific causation between disease and environmental pollution—a critical capability in both research and legal contexts.
THE AIR WE BREATHE: PIONEERING WORK IN PARTICULATE MATTER AND AIR QUALITY
McAuley’s specialization in particulate matter studies, air quality, and human health stems from both his educational foundation and a recognition of the critical importance of these issues. His commitment to this area reflects an understanding of ever-changing regulations and the necessity of protecting both public health and the environment.
Over the years, McAuley has conducted numerous studies with profound impacts on communities both domestically and internationally. His contributions to peer-reviewed research, including studies conducted by the National Academy of Science evaluating air pollution and near-roadside exposures, have been particularly significant. Many of these studies have influenced policy formation and contributed to regulatory frameworks that now guide the national ambient air quality standards.
McAuley’s methodological approach to assessing air quality and human exposure to harmful pollutants is notably adaptable. He draws from various methods and tools based on specific study requirements, ensuring comprehensive, informative, and defensible data collection. This flexible yet rigorous approach has been a hallmark of his research throughout his career.
PANDEMIC PIVOT: LEADING THROUGH THE COVID-19 CRISIS
When the COVID-19 pandemic emerged as a global health crisis, McAuley’s expertise in environmental health positioned him perfectly to contribute to infectious disease safety consulting. His background in studying viruses and bacteria facilitated a seamless transition when coronavirus became more prominent in the United States.
During this critical period, McAuley was sought out by attorneys and companies to help navigate the crisis and establish infectious disease programs. His work focused on monitoring and evaluating coronavirus to minimize risk and exposure, applying his environmental health expertise to the urgent challenge of viral transmission.
McAuley’s role in national COVID safety programs included providing consulting expertise and working on various initiatives that contributed to the overall goal of reducing exposures and helping manage the virus. His approach to assessing the health impacts of COVID-19, SARS, and similar viral pathogens involves constant vigilance—keeping aware of medical statistics and monitoring for new or increased outbreaks over time.
His key recommendations regarding infectious disease safety across various industries emphasize personal responsibility and adherence to public safety and health guidelines. McAuley consistently advocates following guidance from authoritative bodies such as the ATSDR, CDC, and state and local health departments to help contain and prevent new outbreaks.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: THE EXPERT WITNESS AND CONSULTANT
For two decades, McAuley has served as a leading and highly respected environmental expert and professional scientist, assisting attorneys worldwide on high-profile environmental cases. His work as an expert witness in legal cases involving environmental health and infectious disease safety draws on his deep scientific knowledge and practical experience.
While McAuley notes it’s difficult to isolate a single challenging legal case where his expertise made a significant difference—as he is typically brought in specifically to ensure positive outcomes—his impact across numerous cases is evident. His consulting covers a broad spectrum of environmental issues, including air pollution, water and soil contamination, epidemiology, and toxicology matters involving environmental toxins across different media.
Central to McAuley’s approach in legal cases is his commitment to scientific integrity. He ensures that all his assessments are 100% scientifically sound and defensible in court, maintaining the highest standards of credibility in his environmental evaluations.
STRATEGIC VISION: BUILDING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SOLUTIONS
McAuley’s approach to building strategies for clients in the environmental health space begins with a deep understanding of each client’s specific needs. From this foundation, he constructs a strategic platform to ensure that their objectives and goals are effectively realized.
Interestingly, McAuley notes that innovation doesn’t play a significant design factor in most of his client work. While he remains aware of emerging technologies, he emphasizes that unless they have been scientifically proven and accepted by the scientific community, they would not impact the outcomes of his work. This commitment to established science reflects his prioritization of reliability and proven methodologies.
The balance between scientific rigor and practical implementation in McAuley’s consulting work appears seamless—he describes this balance as “simply rolled into the various projects and cases” he’s involved in, becoming “a core asset that is simply rolled in without vigor.” This integration suggests a natural synthesis of theoretical knowledge and practical application that characterizes his approach.
When asked about his most rewarding achievement as an environmental strategist, McAuley’s response reveals his core philosophy: “Everything I do is rewarding and every project that is completed becomes a new achievement.” Most importantly, he emphasizes making a difference as the greatest achievement—a credo that appears to guide his entire professional journey.
FUTURE HORIZONS: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IN A CHANGING WORLD
Looking ahead, McAuley sees the evolution of environmental health as contingent upon the resources available for global tracking of health and disease outcomes. He believes that today’s enhanced methods will continue to develop over time, suggesting a hopeful outlook for the field’s capabilities.
Regarding global trends that will significantly impact environmental health and air quality, McAuley acknowledges the difficulty of prediction but highlights climate change as a critical factor. He anticipates that climate change will lead to new viral and bacterial issues, resulting in “undiscovered and unrealized impacts” that will require vigilant monitoring and awareness-raising.
McAuley’s vision for improved collaboration between businesses and governments on air quality and human health is refreshingly straightforward: transparency and openness to collaboration. This simple yet profound prescription suggests that many of the obstacles to progress in environmental health may be more institutional and attitudinal than technical.
For young professionals aspiring to careers in environmental health or infectious disease safety, McAuley offers clear guidance: “Stay alert, stay honest and true to your objectives, and most importantly understand the work you do should have a greater impact than yourselves.” This advice encapsulates his own professional ethos—a combination of vigilance, integrity, and a commitment to broader impact.
THE PATH FORWARD: CONTINUING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
As for his own future, McAuley eschews concrete “next steps” in favor of continuing the work he loves while growing in experience and expertise. His goal is to continuously elevate his abilities to work with companies, groups, governments, and legal entities to bring solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental health issues.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of McAuley’s perspective on environmental health challenges is his identification of complacency as the most pressing issue. “It is becoming far too common in the environmental world,” he notes, emphasizing the need for everyone to “always be thinking outside the box.” His preventative philosophy—”we don’t need to wait till there is a problem to deal with if we understand that we can prevent it before any problem arises”—offers a proactive framework for addressing environmental health challenges.
LEGACY OF IMPACT: BEYOND SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENT
In reflecting on Dr. McAuley’s career trajectory and philosophy, a clear pattern emerges—one of consistent dedication to scientific excellence in service of public health. From his early work in Vietnam to his contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, McAuley has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to applying rigorous scientific methods to real-world environmental health challenges.
What distinguishes McAuley in the environmental health landscape is not just his technical expertise, but his holistic perspective. By bridging biochemistry and environmental science, he brings a unique ability to connect disparate data points and establish meaningful causal relationships. This integrative approach has proven invaluable in both research and legal contexts, where establishing connections between environmental factors and health outcomes is often critical.
The impact of McAuley’s work extends far beyond individual studies or cases. Through his contributions to policy development and regulatory frameworks, particularly in air quality standards, he has helped shape the environmental health landscape for generations to come. This policy influence represents a significant multiplier effect, extending the reach of his expertise beyond direct consulting relationships.
As global attention increasingly focuses on environmental health issues—from air pollution to emerging infectious diseases—leaders like McAuley play an essential role in navigating complex scientific terrain and translating findings into actionable strategies. His ability to maintain scientific integrity while addressing practical challenges positions him uniquely in this evolving field.
The environmental health community will continue to benefit from McAuley’s expertise as he pursues his commitment to addressing the world’s most significant environmental health challenges. His emphasis on prevention rather than reaction offers a valuable paradigm for approaching these issues—one that may become increasingly relevant as environmental challenges grow more complex.
In an era of rapid environmental change and emerging health threats, Dr. Timothy McAuley’s blend of scientific rigor, practical experience, and forward-thinking perspective represents exactly the kind of leadership the field needs. Through CHANGE Environmental and his various consulting roles, he continues to exemplify his own core philosophy: making a difference that extends beyond individual achievement to create lasting positive impact on environmental health worldwide.