Education

1992 Clarkson University, B.S.
1994 University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, MSPH
2006 University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Ph.D.

View CV (PDF)

Courses Taught

Personal and Family Health
Health Policy and Social Change

Career Specialties

Tracy Zontek specializes in environmental and occupational health. Her research interests include hazard evaluation of nanoscale materials and 3-D printing, as well as undergraduate research.

Professional and Community Activities

Each summer since 2006,  Zontek has been awarded a faculty research fellowship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Materials Sciences and Technology Division. Her work involves industrial hygiene evaluations of emerging research in nanoscale materials, including preventing human and environmental exposures. In addition, she completes hazard evaluations of additive manufacturing.

Zontek is an active member of the American Society of Safety Professionals. She has served on the Future Safety Leaders Conference Committee and the Outstanding Student Section Award Committee. As a previous faculty advisor of the ASSP student section, Zontek led students in service projects ranging from radon monitoring, development of a college emergency action plan and laboratory safety inspections.

Zontek maintains her professional credentials as a Certified Industrial Hygienist (American Board of Industrial Hygiene) and a Certified Safety Professional (Board of Certified Safety Professionals).

Honors and Awards

Board of Governor’s Innovation in Teaching Award, WCU College of Health and Human Sciences, May 2013
American Society of Safety Engineers National Outstanding Student Section Award, June 2012
Safety Professional of the Year, American Society of Safety Engineers, Piedmont Section, March 2012
American Society of Safety Engineers National Outstanding Student Section Award, June 2011
Student Engagement Award, College of Health and Human Sciences, Spring 2010
Student Organization Advisor of the Year, Western Carolina University, Spring 2010
Don C. Morgan Faculty Scholar Award, College of Health and Human Sciences, Spring 2008
Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award, Western Carolina University, Spring 2007
Excellence in Teaching Liberal Studies Award, Western Carolina University, Spring 2007
Meritorious Service to Students Award, Western Carolina University, Spring 2007
Faculty of the Year Award, Western Carolina University Student Affairs, Spring 2005