Patricia Underwood, Ph.D.

Dr. Underwood currently serves at the Vice President of Strategic Health Sciences with TRC Companies and has 30 years of experience and leadership in environmental and chemical risk management primarily with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). She most recently served as Chief Toxicologist and Principal Director of Chemical Risk Management for the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) with responsibility for strategic direction, interagency coordination, and scientific leadership on chemical management policy. Dr. Underwood’s experience also includes roles with the Executive Office of the President (EOP) Office of Management and Budget, the U.S. Army and U.S, Navy, and representing the DoD in international collaboration with European Chemicals Agency, NATO and the European Defense Agency. Her thought leadership at the national level extends beyond the Executive branch to include providing briefings to Congress regarding policy and management of chemicals including PFAS.

Dr. Underwood is a recognized expert in regulatory strategy with extensive experience in the EPA Toxic Substances Control Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act and CERCLA, as well as assessing and managing related impacts to mission critical chemicals and chemical supply chains. She is also a recognized expert on PFAS management, leading the development and implementation of PFAS management policies and mitigation strategies associated with mission critical PFAS for the Department of War. This included promoting transparency within the supply chain to assess the use and criticality of chemicals such as PFAS, and those undergoing risk evaluations under TSCA Section 6, a topic she discussed on the All Things Chemical® podcast.

Dr. Underwood has co-authored numerous national level technical and policy documents on emerging contaminants. She served as chair of the EOP Council on Environment Quality (CEQ) Policy Coordinating Committees on PFAS Critical Uses from 2022 to 2025. She was an active member of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) PFAS working group and contributed to the OSTP PFAS Federal R&D Strategic Plan. She is board certified by the American Board of Toxicology and is a recipient of several national level awards including the EPA Bronze Medal for Commendable Service and the Office of the Secretary of Defense Civilian Career Service Award.