Dr. DANIEL FARCAS

CIH, CSP, CHMM

 

 

  DANIEL@DANIELFARCAS.COM  

304-290-1853

 
 

SUMMARY: Dr. Daniel Farcas has more than 20 years of experience in conducting scientific research and leading production teams in a variety of fields including public health, infection control, nanotechnology, microbiology, silica, and asbestos. He is author or co-author of numerous scientific manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals.

 

CREDENTIALS

 

 

 

EDUCATION:

 

 

  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), 2015 in Human and Community Development from West Virginia University (GPA 3.8 - Cum Laude). (Dissertation)

  • Master of Science (MS), 2010 in Forestry from West Virginia University. (Thesis)

  • Master of Arts (MA), 2006 in System's Ecology and EcoTehnique from Bucharest University.

  • Bachelor of Science (BS), 2003 in Chemistry with major in Biochemistry from Bucharest University.

 

WORK EXPERIENCE:

 

2018 to Present

Project Manager at Hillis-Carnes Capitol Service, PLLC.

We hold ourselves to a higher standard of what defines a healthy building by testing the indoor air levels of hundreds of contaminants that affect human health.

2014 to 2018

Research Chemist in Industrial Hygiene at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) / The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

In the Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch (ACIB) my research focus was to develop a bioassay that evaluates the efficacy of detergent and sanitizers to clean firefighter turnout gear from pathogens. Investigated microorganisms were Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Bacillus subtilis. I currently employ different molecular biology techniques such as genomic DNA isolation and RT-PCR to quantify viable and non-viable bacteria in biofilm formation.

In the Exposure Assesment Branch (EAB) I designed and perform pilot exposure studies and assessments in the field of silica, carbon nanotubes and asbestos exposure, identified potential occupationally exposed populations, updated analytical methods for field monitoring and lab analysis and performed on-site field sampling efforts to characterize workers exposure.

2010 to 2013

Environmental Scientist at Cira and Associates LLC.

I completed numerous indoor air quality investigations and remediation projects to mitigate the impacts of microorganisms, mineral fibers, radon, lead and volatile organics on residents and inhabitant’s health and safety. I collected air quality real-time data, prepare samples for laboratory analysis and wrote reports documenting results and recommended technical solutions for mold removal and asbestos abatement. My environmental remediation projects focused on leakage of petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls from above and underground storage tanks.
 

2008 to 2010

Graduate Research and Teacing Assistant in Environmental Biology at West Virginia University (WVU).

As a graduate assistant, I taught, tutored and graded students’ tests for WVU General Biology and Life Science Laboratories (BIOL 101 & 103). I was also a frequent guest lecturer for botany, biology, zoology, cellular and molecular biology classes. As a principal investigator in the forest soil chemistry laboratory, I analyzed samples using numerous molecular techniques: Chemical Purification & Characterization (NMR, IR, HRMS, HPLC, FID, PID, ECD, and Optical rotation), organic volatile and organic semi-volatile contaminants by mass spectrometry.

 

ARTICLES and BOOKS:

 

  1. Farcas D, Lee T, Chisholm W, Soo J, Harper M [2016]. Replacement of filters for respirable quartz measurement in coal mine dust by Infrared Spectroscopy. J Occup Environ Hyg 13(2):D16-D22.

  2. Soo J, Lee T, Chisholm W, Farcas D, Schwegler-Berry D, Harper M [2016]. Treated and Untreated Rock Dust: Quartz Content and Physical Characterization. J Occup Environ Hyg 13(11):D201-D207.

  3. Kang J, Erdely A, Afshari A, Casuccio G, Bunker K, Lersch T, Dahm M, Farcas D, Cena L [2017]. Generation and Characterization of Aerosols Released from Sanding Composite Nanomaterials Containing Carbon Nanotubes. NanoImpact 5:41-50.

  4. Farcas D, Harper M, Januch JW, Jacobs TA, Sarkisian K, Stetler LD, Schwegler-Berry D [2017]. Evaluation of Fluidized Bed Asbestos Segregator to determine erionite in soil. Environ Earth Sci 76(126):1-15.

  5. Farcas D, Blachere F, Kashon ML, Sbarra D, Schwegler-Berry D, Stull JO, Noti JD. [2019] Survival of Staphylococcus aureus on the outer shell of fire fighter turnout gear after sanitation in a commercial washer/extractor. Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology  14(10).

  6. Farcas D, [2019] CIH EXAM Equations simply explained and with examples, Publisher: APub, ISBN: 978-1700473417.
 
 
 POSTERS &
PRESENTATIONS:
 
 

  1. Farcas D, Lee T, Chisholm WP, Soo J, Harper M [2015]. Possible replacements for DM450 filters in FTIR analysis of silica in coal mine dust abstract. AIHce 2015 AIHA Conf. Proceedings: 69-SR-128-02. 

  2. Soo J, Lee T, Chisholm W, Farcas D, Schwegler-Berry D, Harper M [2015]. Treated and Untreated Rock Dusts: Silica Content and physical Characterization abstract, American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo (AIHce EXP), Baltimore, MD. 

  3. Cena L, Kang J, Farcas D, Erdely A [2015]. A Standardized Approach for the Generation and Characterization of Aerosols Released from Composite Nanomaterials in Industrial Scenarios abstract, (AIHA) AIHce 2016, Baltimore, Maryland , May 21. 

  4. Daniel Farcas, Allan Collins, Martin Harper, Michael McCawley, and Denny Smith [2015]. Erionite Studies in Custer National Forest, West Virginia University, Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design Nineteenth Annual Research and Creative Scholarship Conference on April 7.

  5. Daniel Farcas, Allan Collins, Martin Harper, Michael McCawley, and Denny Smith [2015]. Erionite Studies in Custer National Forest, Shepherd University, Division of Graduate Studies, WV Graduate Research Day April 18.

  6. Bishop L, Cena L, Kang J, Farcas D, Afshari A, Kodali V, Dahm M, Schubauer-Berigan M, Schwegler-Berry D, Eye T, Battelli L, Casuccio G, Bunker K, Erdely A. [2016] Characterizing the particulate aerosol generated from sanding MWCNT-enabled composites and the impact on in vivo toxicity. abstract, Allegheny-Erie Society of Toxicology Regional Meeting, Morgantown, West Virginia, May 18-19.

  7. Daniel Farcas [2016] Meeting Middle School Science Standards: Resources for Teaching Evolution and Natural Selection for Middle School Teachers, Mid-Atlantic ASTE Conference Region of The Association for Science Teacher Education, Gatlinburg, TN, Sept 23.

  8. Daniel Farcas [2016] Evolution for Middle School Educators, Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association at Penn Stater Conference, State College, PA, December 2.

  9. D. Farcas, F. Blachere, M. L. Kashon, D. Sbarra, D. Schwegler-Berry, J. D. Noti. [2018] Survival of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms on the Outer Shell of Firefighter Turnout Gear after Sanitation in a Commercial Washing Machine,  8th American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Conference on Biofilms, Washinghton, DC, October 10.

  10. D. Farcas, F. Blachere, M. L. Kashon, D. Sbarra, D. Schwegler-Berry, J. D. Noti. [2018] Survival of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms on the Outer Shell of Firefighter Turnout Gear after Sanitation in a Commercial Washing Machine,  2019 American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo (AIHce EXP), Minneapolis, MN, May 2019.
 
 
Honors & Awards

 

  • Outstanding Scholarship, Research and Participation from West Virginia Association of Graduate Schools, Apr 2015 at Shepherd University, WV.

  • Honorary citizenship of Morgantown by Mayor Marti Shamberger and President Gordon Gee on May 12, 2016 at the WVU Erickson Alumni Center.

  • Fellows SIG Best Student Poster form the American Industrial Hygienist Association (AIHA) at the American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo (AIHce EXP), May 2019. (link)

  • Protective Clothing and Equipment Committee Best Student Poster form the American Industrial Hygienist Association (AIHA) at the American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo (AIHce EXP), May 2019. (link)