University at Albany School of Public Health faculty Dr. Erin Bell, associate professor of environmental health sciences, and Dr. David Carpenter, professor of environmental health sciences, have been named to a blue ribbon panel convened by the City of Albany, NY mayor Kathy Sheehan to study rail safety in light of the increased presence of oil-bearing trains passing through downtown on the way to the Port of Albany. Trains pass through the downtown daily transporting crude oil to the port for disbursement via the Hudson River. The committee is comprised of a 15-member panel that brings together local community representatives, elected officials and public officials. Charged with developing recommendations on rail safety to protect residents of the city, the panel is set to deliver short and long-term recommendations to the mayor in early September.

Also serving on the committee is May graduate, Dr. Dorcey Applyrs, who is an elected official serving on the Albany Common Council.