Inside E-LAW: Mark Chernaik, Comings and Goings

Mark Chernaik, E-LAW U.S. Staff Scientist

"Mark Chernaik is the epitome of a public interest scientist," says Bern Johnson, E-LAW U.S. Executive Director. "He likes nothing better than using his scientific expertise to challenge environmental abuses."

Since joining E-LAW in 1992, Mark has given grassroots advocates all over the world critical support in hundreds of efforts to protect the environment. His work has contributed to major environmental victories, including landmark cases in the Philippines, India and Colombia.

Mark has been a tremendous resource in efforts to ban leaded gasoline in South Africa, India, Nepal, the Philippines and Israel. He helped secure key provisions in the 1999 Philippines Clean Air Act, including the phase-out of leaded gasoline and a ban on the construction of new waste incinerators. Information Mark provided to Danny Fisch at the Israel Union for Environmental Defense helped force Haifa Chemicals to reduce its pollution of the Kishon River.

Before joining E-LAW U.S., Mark received a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Johns Hopkins University and a law degree from the University of Oregon School of Law. His work has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A. and the Journal of Biological Chemistry. Mark’s work has taken him to visit E-LAW advocates in Eastern Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

"Mark is a tireless and brilliant scientist, environmentalist and lawyer whose humble and gracious support of lawyers across the globe never ceases to amaze. There is hardly a scientific issue which Mark does not have a considered, critical and up-to-date response to. He empowers us to continue the fight for justice, wherever we may be."

Angela Andrews
Legal Resources Centre
Cape Town, South Africa

Comings and Goings

Linda Reymers

Linda Reymers has joined the E-LAW U.S. Board of Directors. Since 1984, Linda has served as Grants Director at the McKenzie River Gathering Foundation in Eugene, a leading supporter of grassroots groups in the region pursuing progressive social change.

Alan Graves

Alan Graves is the 2000-2001 E-LAW U.S. Law Fellow. The Fellow position enables recent public interest law graduates to learn about environmental law around the world while meeting the needs of overseas partners for U.S. legal information.

Glenn Gillis

Meet Glenn Gillis, the new E-LAW U.S. Information Technology Manager. Glenn joined E-LAW U.S. in September and one of his first tasks was to set up new work stations and upgrade computer equipment at the U.S. office. (Thanks to Paul Brainerd for his generous support of this upgrade.) Glenn joins a team of E-LAW technicians in Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe who help E-LAW partners use the internet to enhance their work to protect the environment.

Hervey Allen

E-LAW U.S. says farewell to computer technician Hervey Allen. Hervey has been enormously helpful as E-LAW has redesigned and refined its internal and international communications systems. Hervey will continue to work with E-LAW as Technical Advisor. We wish him and his wife Paola the best of luck in their new Bay Area home.