Ronald Hites

Distinguished Professor Emeritus Ronald Hites is an environmental chemist specializing in the behavior of potentially toxic organic compounds. He has been with the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs since 1979, following 15 years at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he received his doctorate in analytical chemistry.

Hites is a fellow of the American Chemical Society, the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He received the 1993 Founders Award from the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry and the 1991 American Chemical Society Award for Creative Advances in Environmental Science and Technology.

Areas of Expertise

Applying organic analytical chemistry techniques to the analysis of trace levels of toxic pollutants, such as polybrominated flame retardants and polychlorinated biphenyls and pesticides, with a focus on understanding the behavior of these compounds in the atmosphere and in the Great Lakes.