Education:
Post Doc
6/03 – 9/04: PostDoctoral Scholar, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University

MS, PhD
1/95 – 5/03: Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA .

Research Interests :

The earlier and continued focus of my research work has been in understanding the structure of the human skin, and in mathematically defining mass transfer across the skin barrier for dermal dose using a developed two-layer, time-varying, numerical model and other previously developed simpler analytical dermal uptake models. In addition, I have spent a significant amount of time developing methodologies for the collection of micro-level activity time series (MLATS) data for children using video-taping and video -translation techniques, and assessing the relationship between contact frequencies and durations with chemical mass loadings on the skin surface. I am extending and refining particular areas of my research work, for example, extending the use of video-taping and video -translation techniques in occupational settings.  I have also spent the last few years conducting skin-adherence studies with soil and clays using a computer controlled adherence chamber.  Thanks to my collaborators, Dr Wayne Johnson (Armstrong State Atlantic University) and Dr Zoran Bursac (UAMS), this has been successful.  We look forward to continued studies in this area.

Currently, I am also now engaged with partners in various lead activities in the state. Through EPA funding, myself and partners have been involved in parent education, contractor training, compliance and lead screening issues in the State of Arkansas.  In the process, I have become a certified lead trainer in the new EPA RRP rule and also a lead dust sampling technician.  Trainings and education workshops have been conducted in over 15 cities throughout the state.  Partners in this area include Arkansas Head Start Collaboration Office, HIPPY, ADEQ, ADH, ACORN and Jacksonville Community Development Office.

In general, my work is multidisciplinary in the human risk assessment field encompassing biology, toxicology, engineering, chemistry, and the behavioral sciences. 

Teaching Experience:

1.      Environmental Exposure Assessment (PBHL5263, OEHM 5263), Combination of in-class and online discussion and lectures, Course Director

2.      Occupational and Hazard Control (PBHL5043,OEHM5043), , Combination of in-class and online discussion and lectures, Co-Lecturer to Course Director

3.      Environmental Policy (PBHL5263), Co-Lecturer: Combination in class and online discussion and lectures

4.      Governmental Regulations of Environmental Health (PBHL5073,OEHM5073), Co- Lecturer, Combination of in-class and online discussion and lectures

5.      Biology for Public Health (PBHL5311), Co-Lecturer, Only on-line

Selected Publications:

1.       Ferguson, A., Bursac, Z.,  Kern, D. “Arkansas People Participating in Lead Education (APPLE): Results of a Lead-Safe Training Program”, accepted to Journal of Community Health, August, 2010.

2.       Ferguson, A. Bursac, Z., Coleman, S., Biddle, D., Johnson, W., “Soil-Skin Adherence from Carpet: Use of a Mechanical Chamber to Control Contact Parameters,” Journal of Environmental Science and Health, 43 (12), 1451-1458, 2009.

3.       Ferguson, A., Coleman, S., Bursac, Z., Johnson, W., “Computer Controlled Chamber Measurements for Multiple Contacts for Soil-Skin Adherence from Aluminum and Carpet Surfaces,” Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, 15 (4): 22-49, 2009.

4.       Ferguson, A., Bursac, Z., Coleman, S., Biddle, D., Johnson, W., “Comparisons of Computer Controlled Chamber Measurements for Soil-Skin Adherence from Aluminum and Carpet Surfaces,” Environmental Research, 109, 207-214, 2009.

5.       Ferguson, A., Coleman, S., Biddle, D., Bursac, Z., Johnson, W., “In-Vitro Soil Adherence for Dermal Exposure Using a Controlled Mechanical Chamber,” Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 5(2): 232-243, 2009.

6.       Ferguson, A., Asumugha, E, and Rimmer, T. “Limiting Respiratory Hazards for Hair-stylists,” Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 5(6), 595-600, 2009

7.       Ferguson, A., and Kern, D. “Lead Outreach Needs to the State of Arkansas,” The Journal of the Arkansas Medical Society, 105 (6), 2008

8.       Beamer, Paloma, PhD, Maya E Key, MS; Alesia C Ferguson, PhD; Robert A Canales, PhD; Willa AuYeung, PhD; James O Leckie, PhD, “Quantified Activity Pattern Data from 6-to-27-Month-Old Farmworker Children for Use in Exposure Assessment,” Environmental Research, 108 (2): 239-246, 2008

9.       Johnson, W. M., Ferguson, A., Hager, P., Sanou, A. and Shenoda, D. "Calibration of a Pneumatic System for an Apparatus for Measurement of Surface Residue Transfer Coefficient," ASME Early Career Technical Journal. 6(1): pgs. 5.1-5.7, October 2007

10.   Ferguson, A., Canales, R., Beamer, P., AuYeung, W. Key, M., Tse-Wing Lee, A. K., Robertson A. and Leckie, J. “Videotaping Methods in the Quantification of Children’s Exposures,” Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology, 16(3): 287-298, 2006

11.   AuYeung W, Canales RA, Beamer P, Ferguson AC, and Leckie JO. "Young Children's Hand Contact Activities: An Observational Study via Videotaping in Primarily Outdoor Residential Settings," Journal Exposure Science Environmental Epidemiology, 16(5): 434-446, 2006

12.   AuYeung, W., Canales, R.A., Beamer, P., Ferguson, A.C., and J.O. Leckie.  “Young Children’s Mouthing Behaviors: An Observation Study via Videotaping in a Primarily Outdoor Residential Setting,” Journal of Children’s Health, 2(3-4): 271-295, 2005

13.   V.G. Zartarian, A. C. Ferguson, J. O. Leckie, “Quantified Mouthing Activity Data from a Four-Child Pilot Field Study,” Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology, 8(4), 543-552,1998

14.   V.G. Zartarian, A.C. Ferguson, J. O. Leckie, “Quantified Activity Patterns: Video Translation Software and Training Methodologies,” Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology, 7(4), 535-542, 1997

15.   V.G. Zartarian, A.C. Ferguson, J. O. Leckie, “Quantified Dermal Data from a Four-Child Pilot Field Study,” Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology, 7(4), 543-553, 1997