About
Catherine Rudisill, MS
Founder & Principal
I help organizations create impact by bridging the gap between science and strategy.
We are at a tipping point. With global PFAS regulations tightening, other emerging chemicals of concern on the horizon, and transparency becoming a non-negotiable demand for consumers and investors, waiting to address chemical footprints is no longer an option—it’s a business risk.
I believe that sustainability starts with chemistry. I empower organizations to prosper without the use of hazardous substances. As the Founder of Safer Chemistry Advisory, I act as a strategic ally and an extension of your team, leveraging over 20 years of environmental health expertise to turn complex scientific research into reliable, real-world practice.
Early in my career, I saw firsthand the ‘treadmill’ of environmental health: performing endless risk assessments on the same high-concern chemicals without ever reaching a solution. I chose a different path. For the last 20 years, I have leveraged my expertise to break that cycle—moving beyond hazard identification to help organizations find safer alternatives and avoid the costly trap of regrettable substitutes.
Science-Backed Systems
You may be surprised by the wealth of tools available today to solve your most pressing challenges. I believe science should lead the way; even incremental steps create momentum. By building safer chemistry systems, your environmental impact isn’t just a goal—it’s a scalable, enduring reality.
Proven Impact at Scale
I partner with global leaders, government agencies, and non-profits to move our economy toward safer, sustainable chemicals. Read my Client Stories to learn more.
Bespoke, Independent Guidance
I help organizations navigate the complexity of sustainable chemistry to gain a distinct competitive edge by creating solutions that meet individual needs. My work spans various sectors, including cleaning, personal care, textiles, and others, with a focus on addressing PFAS across industry sectors. I follow the chemistry, not the industry.
My background
I hold a BS in Chemistry from Shippensburg University and an MS in Environmental Sciences and Policy from Johns Hopkins University. I also earned a Certification in Sustainable Capitalism and ESG from Berkeley Law and additional training includes expertise in assessing endocrine-disrupting chemicals. I bring a disciplined Project Management Professional (PMP) approach to every engagement.
Please see my bibliography below which spans peer-reviewed articles, conference chairing, and speaking engagements. My research centers around the assessment and promotion of alternatives to chemicals, with a strong emphasis on chemicals management policies, substitution of hazardous substances, and the use of alternative assessment methods. I sit on the steering committee for the Advancement and Application of Alternatives Assessment (A4) interest group at the Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC) and am a member of the American Chemical Society (ACS).
Ready to bridge the gap?
Whether you are navigating new PFAS restrictions, looking to integrate green chemistry into your product pipeline, or need to update your hazard methodologies, let’s find a path forward. Click here to book a strategy consultation or reach out to discuss how I can strengthen your organization’s chemistry strategy.
Bibliography
Rudisill C; Jacobs M; Roy M; Brown L; Eaton R; Malloy T; Davies H; Tickner J (2023) The use of alternatives assessment in chemicals management policies: Needs for greater impact. Integr Environ Assess Manag, https://doi.org/10.1002/ieam.4826
Tickner J; Simon R; Jacobs M; Rudisill C; Tanir J; Heine L; Spencer P; Fantke P; Malloy T; Edwards S; and Zhou X. (2019), Lessons from the 2018 International Symposium on Alternatives Assessment: Advances and Reflections on Practice and Ongoing Needs to Build the Field. Integr Environ Assess Manag, 15: 909-916.Â
Tickner J; Schifano J; Blake A; Rudisill C; Mulvihill M. (2014) Advancing safer alternatives through functional substitution. Environ Sci Technol 49:742-749.
Tickner J; Geiser K; Rudisill C; Schifano J. (2013) Alternatives assessment in regulatory policy: history and future directions. In: Hester RE; Harrison RM, Eds. Issues in environmental science and technology: chemical alternatives assessment. Royal Society of Chemistry. pp. 256-295
Rudisill (2025) Resources for Finding Safer PFAS Alternatives in the Electronics Sector. Presented at: Chemical Watch Chemicals Management for Electronics, Alexandria, VA, September 2025.
Rudisill (2025) Closing the Gap(s) Between Chemical Regulations & Informed Substitution. Presented at: GC&E Friday, June 6, 2025. Online.
Rudisill (2024) Using Alternatives Assessment to Support Informed Substitution of PFAS in the Electronics Industry. Presented at: SEMICON Japan, December 12, 2024, Tokyo and Online.
Rudisill (2024) Tools for Change: Moving Towards Safer & Sustainable Chemicals. Presented at: ZDHC Technical Conference: Bonding with Chemistry. November 22, 2024, Mumbai, India and Online.
Rudisill C (2024) Alternatives Assessment in Regulatory Policy: Current Landscape and Lessons Learned. Presented at: at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annual meeting. October 24, 2024, Fort Worth, TX.
Rudisill C (2024) Resources and Approaches for Identifying and Adopting PFAS Alternatives in Electronics. Presented at: Chemical Watch Chemicals Management for Electronics USA. June 24, 2024, Boston, MA.
Rudisill C (2024) The Role of Alternatives Assessment in the Green Chemistry Community: Opportunities for Stronger Connections. Presented at: ACS Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference, June 5, 2024, Atlanta, GA & Virtual.
Rudisill C (2024) Considerations for analytical testing and safer substitution. Presented at: NYC Environmental Law Leadership Institute. Toxics Webinar, February 7, 2024.
Rudisill C (2023) Moving Away from PFAS and Towards Safer Chemical Alternatives. Presented at: Chemical Watch Global Chemicals Management for Electronics. December 7, 2023, Virtual.
Rudisill C; Jacobs M; Davies H; Malloy T; Roy M; Brown L (2022) Regulatory Assessments that Lead to Successful Chemical Substitution. Presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annual meeting, November 17, 2022, Pittsburgh, PA.
Rudisill C; Coley C; Hard C (2021) A Streamlined, Fragment-Based Approach to Categorizing Large Chemical Inventories Based on Structural Similarity. Presented at the 19th International Conference on QSAR in Environmental and Health Sciences, June 7-9, 2021, Virtual.
Rudisill C; Hard C; Davies H; Zarker K (2020) Easily Digestible: Scoping a $10 Billion Market for Alternatives to PFAS In Food Packaging. Presented at the 24rd Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference and 9th International Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry, June 16-18, 2020, Virtual.
Rudisill C; Morlacci L (2020) Designing Safer Consumer Products using the U.S. EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List Presented at the 24rd Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference and 9th International Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry, June 16-18, 2020, Virtual.
Rudisill C (2020) What’s Happening with the Washington PFAS in Food Packaging AA? Presented at DTSC Public Workshop on January 14, 2020, Sacramento, CA.
Rudisill C; Morlacci L (2019) Unintended Consequences – Avoiding regrettable substitutions by considering molecular function. Presented at the 23rd Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference and 9th International Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry, June 11-13, 2019, Reston, Va.
Rhoades J; Rudisill C; Penttila B (2019) Stakeholder engagement to support the PFAS in Food Packaging Alternatives Assessment. Presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annual meeting, November 3-7, 2019, Toronto, ON.
Hard C; Rhoades J; Rudisill, C (2019) Selection of a representative PFAS for Washington State’s Food Packaging Alternatives Assessment. Presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annual meeting, November 3-7, 2019, Toronto, ON.
Penttila, B; Rudisill C (2019) Assessing alternatives to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in food packaging – challenges of regulatory assessment. Presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annual meeting, November 3-7, 2019, Toronto, ON.
Rudisill C; Salinas K; Melia J; Carlson-Lynch H. (2018) Consideration of skin sensitization in identifying preservatives for the U.S. EPA’s Safer Chemical Ingredients List. Presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annual meeting, November 4-8, 2018, Sacramento, CA.
Rudisill C; Hackenmiller-Paradis R; Horspool K; Hard C. (2018) The evaluation of textile dyes using a cluster-supported read across approach. Presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annual meeting, November 4-8, 2018, Sacramento, CA.
Rudisill C; Recent developments in Hazard Assessment. Presented at the International 2nd International Symposium on Alternatives Assessment: Building the Field, November 1-2, 2018, Sacramento, CA.
Kawa M; Rudisill C; Morlacci M; Tunkel J. (2017) Identification of chemical candidates for the U.S. EPA’s Safer Chemical Ingredients List. Presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annual meeting, November 12-16, 2017, Minneapolis, MN.
Rudisill C; Morlacci L; Lavoie E; Adams M; Tunkel J. (2016) Case studies in the use of (Q)SARs for the assessment of safer chemical ingredients in consumer products. Presented at the 17th International Conference on QSAR in Environmental and Health Sciences, June 17-18, 2016, Miami Beach, FL.
Kawa M; Carlson-Lynch H; Melia J; Morlacci L; Rhoades J; Rudisill C; Salinas K; Tunkel J. (2015) Exploring a local quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model developed from mode-of-action data in an adverse outcome pathway. Presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annual meeting, November 1-5, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT.
Tunkel J; Melia J; Salinas K; Morlacci L; Rhoades J; Kawa M; Rudisill C; Carlson-Lynch H. (2015) Using mode-of-action (MOA) data to guide the development of local quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models for molecular and early cellular events in an adverse outcome pathway (AOP). Presented at the annual American Chemical Society Meeting, August 16-20, 2015, Boston, MA.
Melia J; Salinas K; Morlacci L; Rhoades J; Kawa M; Rudisill C; Carlson-Lynch H; Tunkel J. (2015) Using mode-of-action (MOA) data to guide the development of local quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) models for molecular and early cellular events in an adverse outcome pathway (AOP). Presented at the Society of Toxicology (SOT) annual meeting, March 23-26, 2015, San Diego, CA.
Rudisill C; Lorenz A; Adams M; Morlacci M. (2015) Integration of natural complex substances into the EPA’s Safer Choice Program fragrance criteria. Presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annual meeting, November 1-5, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT.
Rudisill C; Morlacci L; Tunkel J. (2014) The case for chemistry: Lessons learned while assessing ingredients for EPA’s Design for the Environmental (DfE) Program. Presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annual meeting, November 8-13, 2014, Vancouver, BC.
Rudisill C; Morlacci, L; Tunkel J. (2014) Designing safer chemicals for consumer products: implications of a functional use perspective. Presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annual meeting, November 8-13, 2014, Vancouver, BC.
Baier-Anderson C; Rudisill C; Morlacci L; Adams M; Drake B; Tunkel J; Mayo-Bean K. (2014) Using cluster approaches to assess the safety of chemicals used in consumer products. Presented at the Society of Toxicology (SOT) annual meeting, March 23-27, 2014, Phoenix, AZ.
Rudisill C; Morlacci L; Adams M; Baier-Anderson C; Drake B; Sommer E; Tunkel J; Mayo-Bean K. (2013) The benefits of using a clustering approach to assess the safety of chemicals in consumer products. Presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annual meeting, November 17-21, 2013, Nashville, TN.
Rudisill C; Morlacci L; Adams M; Baier-Anderson C; Drake B; Sommer E; Tunkel J. (2013) Making sense of scents. Assessing health and ecological hazards of fragrances in consumer products submitted under the US EPA Safer Product Labeling Program. Presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annual meeting, November 17-21, 2013, Nashville, TN.
Barber L; Hard C; Rudisill C; Miller T; Rhoades J, Garrett R; Tunkel J. (2011) CHIPs – Industrial Process Hazard Assessments for Potential Chemical Releases. Presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry North America annual meeting, November 13-20, 2011, Boston, MA.
Rudisill C; McClouglin C; MacKellar J; Bennett S (2024) Session chair: Bridging the Gap Between Green Chemistry & Engineering and Alternatives Assessment. Presented at the 28Th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference, June 5, 2024, Atlanta, GA & Virtual.
Rudisill C (2023) Session chair: Aligning and Incorporating the “Other” Sustainability Metrics for PFAS Alternatives. Presented at the International Symposium on Alternatives Assessment: Enhancing Safety, Health, and Equity, October 26, 2022, Tacoma, WA.
Rudisill C; Jacobs M; Roy M (2022) Session chairs: Advances in Methods, Policies, and Practices for Safer and More Sustainable Alternatives. Presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annual meeting, November 17, 2022, Pittsburgh, PA.
Rudisill C; Kawa M. (2021) Session chairs:Â Alternatives assessment and informed substitution: The core of safer chemical economy. Presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annual meeting, November 12-16, 2017, Minneapolis, MN.
Rudisill C; Simon R (2019) Session chairs: Alternatives assessment and informed substitution: The transition to safer chemicals, materials, processes and products. Presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annual meeting, November 3-7, 2019, Toronto, ON.
Rudisill C; Buck T. (2017) Session chairs: The science of safer chemistry – researchers, retailers, and beyond. Presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annual meeting, November 12-16, 2017, Minneapolis, MN.
Rudisill C; Morlacci L; Tunkel J. (2014) Assessing Chemical Hazards in the Absence of Experimental Data. Presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annual meeting, November 8-13, 2014, Vancouver, BC.