By Enyeribe Ejiogu
From Ghana to Belgium and now in the United States, Charlotte A. Annan, a geochemist, is fast gaining international repute for research-driven scholarship in her field. At the University of Georgia, United States, where she is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Chemistry, her research focuses on how radon, a dangerous, naturally-occurring, colorless, odorless radioactive gas behaves in different soil horizons and what that means for environmental health and safety. Before landing at Georgia, Annan studied geology at both undergraduate and master’s levels, worked on projects that ranged from geological mapping in Ghana to mineral resource characterization in Belgium. Those experiences provided a strong foundation in Earth materials and geochemical analysis. Her expertise lies at the intersection of geology, chemistry, and environmental science with real-world implications for public health, natural resource management, and sustainable development.
In this interview, Annan explains why she is passionate about using scientific research to understand environmental risks like radon exposure and help shape safer, healthier communities.
Your research focuses heavily on radon diffusion in soil. What initially sparked your interest in environmental geochemistry and specifically in radon risk mitigation?
When I was preparing for my Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree, I knew I wanted to do something practical — ideally related to environmental studies, pollution, health, or contaminant transport. I was really interested in research that had real-world relevance, especially something tied to public or environmental health, but without necessarily working in a clinical setting or handling sick patients. I reached out to my current PhD advisor, who was working on radon in soils, and when she told me about the project, I just knew—this was it. It checked almost every box I had in mind. Interestingly, I didn’t know much about radon at the time. But once I learned it’s a naturally occurring, colorless, odorless radioactive gas that kills over 22,000 people every year in the U.S. alone—and yet barely gets talked about—I was stunned. I remember thinking, “Wait, what? How is something this dangerous still flying under the radar?” That moment stayed with me. I saw how much work still needs to be done—not just in understanding radon, but in raising awareness, improving monitoring, and informing decisions that can help protect people’s health. It felt important. And that’s what drew me in.
Radon is often an overlooked health hazard. How do you hope your work will influence public awareness and health policy in the world?
I hope my work can help bring radon into the spotlight—not just as a scientific concern, but as a public health priority. Because the truth is, most people don’t know what radon is, let alone how dangerous it can be. And yet, it’s the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. That disconnect is what drives me. Through my research, I want to provide clearer data and models that help communities, regulators, and health agencies better understand how radon moves through soil, where the risks are highest, and what can be done to reduce exposure—especially in areas that are currently under-monitored or misclassified. Beyond the science, I also see this as an opportunity to bridge the gap between research and everyday awareness. I have been involved in outreach and education efforts, and I believe that when people understand the risks in their homes and schools, they’re more likely to support testing, mitigation, and stronger policies.
Your work emphasizes environmental justice. How does your research address disparities in radon exposure across different communities?
Right now, my primary focus is on understanding the science – primarily how radon moves through soil, how different environmental and geochemical factors affect its mobility, and how we can model those processes more accurately. It’s foundational work, but it’s driven by a bigger picture: the desire to make that science useful, especially in places where radon risks are underestimated or ignored. Environmental justice is something I’m very mindful of. Communities that are already vulnerable—whether due to housing conditions, economic challenges, or historical neglect—are often the ones left out of radon testing, monitoring, or mitigation efforts. While my current work doesn’t directly involve policy at this stage, I see my research as laying the groundwork for more equitable solutions. As my research progresses, I plan to expand its scope to include outreach, data accessibility, and partnerships that center equity. My goal is to ensure that the science doesn’t just stay in the laboratory, but reaches and serves the communities that need it most.
How has your international academic and professional background shaped your perspective on environmental health challenges in the world?
Studying and working across different countries has really broadened my perspective on environmental health. I have done research and training in Ghana, Belgium, and now the United States, and in each place, I have seen how environmental issues, especially those related to pollution, water, and air quality, are understood and managed differently depending on local priorities, resources, and awareness. In Ghana, for example, I saw firsthand how limited access to environmental monitoring can leave communities vulnerable, even when there are visible signs of risk. In Belgium, I worked in a more high-tech, policy-driven environment, where issues like groundwater quality and rare earth mineral deposits were studied with advanced tools. And now in the United States, I am focused on a “silent” health threat which is well-documented but still under-addressed in many regions. These experiences have shown me that environmental health challenges are both global and deeply local. They may take different forms depending on the context, but at their core, they reflect disparities in knowledge, infrastructure, and policy. That global view helps me approach my research not just as a scientific problem, but as a human one—about equity, awareness, and access to safe environments.
What significant challenges have you faced during your research, and how did you overcome them?
One of my earliest challenges was getting up to speed with radon research, since the topic was entirely new to me at the start of my PhD. Then I had the challenge of designing and building a soil column system to replicate real-world field conditions for studying radon movement and calculating emanation coefficients. It was a hands-on process that required careful planning, ongoing adjustments, and creative thinking. Later, I encountered technical issues while running elemental analysis with ICP-MS, which took time and patience to troubleshoot. What helped me overcome these challenges was not just persistence, but also the support of my advisor, research faculty, and colleagues. Each hurdle strengthened my confidence and taught me how to approach research with both patience and purpose.
What role does interdisciplinary collaboration play in your work, and who are some of the key stakeholders you aim to engage with?
Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential to my work. Radon behavior in soil isn’t just a geology or chemistry problem—it intersects with environmental science, physics, public health, engineering, and even housing policy. To truly understand and address the risk, you need to pull knowledge from all these areas and find ways to connect them. In my current research, I use geochemical methods and soil science to study radon transport. But the impact of that work depends on engaging others—like health agencies, environmental regulators, housing and construction experts, and community leaders. For example, insights from my research could help inform building guidelines or influence decisions on where to focus radon testing efforts. I am also interested in working more closely with educators and local governments to translate scientific findings into actionable public information. Ultimately, I see science as a team effort. The more perspectives and disciplines we bring together, the more effective and inclusive our solutions will be.
You have won multiple awards for your presentations. What strategies do you use to communicate complex scientific topics to diverse audiences effectively?
Thank you! I’ve found that the key to communicating science, especially to non-specialists, is making it relatable without watering it down. I always start by asking myself: “Why should someone care about this?” and “How does this connect to their everyday lives?” With a topic like radon, for instance, it’s not just about gas diffusion—it’s about the air people breathe in their homes, the safety of their kids at school, or how health risks can go unnoticed. In presentations, I avoid jargon unless I explain it, and I try to build a narrative that flows—what’s the problem, why it matters, what I’m doing, and what it could lead to. But I think what helps most is being genuinely excited about the topic.
When people see that you care deeply and can explain things with clarity and purpose, they tend to lean in and listen—whether they’re scientists, students, or community members.
How do you envision your research informing environmental regulations related to radon and soil contamination?
I see my research playing an important role in helping regulators better understand where radon risks are highest and why. Right now, many radon guidelines rely on broad geological maps or national averages, but that can miss local variations in soil chemistry, moisture, or structure that significantly influence radon movement. My work helps fill that gap by providing more detailed data on how radon behaves in different soil conditions and how these factors can change exposure risks at the surface. This kind of information can support more targeted risk zoning, improved soil screening protocols, and stronger recommendations for construction practices in high-risk areas. I also hope it contributes to refining safety thresholds and guiding where public health resources, like testing, mitigation, or education, are most needed. I want my research to bridge the gap between soil science and policy, helping to inform decisions that are both evidence-based and locally relevant.
Beyond the laboratory, you’re active in education and outreach. How do you balance your scientific work with community engagement, and why is that important to you?
For me, science and community engagement go hand in hand. I believe research shouldn’t just stay in the laboratory or in academic journals—it should reach the people it’s meant to serve. That’s especially important when you’re working on something like radon, which is a serious health risk but still under-recognized by many. Balancing both can be challenging, especially with the demands of lab work, teaching, and deadlines. But I try to be intentional about it. Whether it’s volunteering to speak at local schools, participating in workshops, or mentoring students, I see outreach as an extension of my research, not a distraction from it.
What got you interested in studying geology and then continuing in it to a doctoral degree level? What would you say accounts for the seeming love you have for geology?
Funny enough, Earth Science wasn’t even part of my original plan. The goal, well, let’s say the family’s goal, was for me to go to medical school. But when I got my admission letter from the University of Ghana, they had assigned me to Earth Science. Coincidentally, another university had offered me the same programme, and I remember thinking, “Maybe this is God’s way of leading me somewhere else.” I spoke with the admissions officer, and based on my strong background in Chemistry, Physics, and Math, they said Earth Science would be a great fit. So we decided I’d give it a year, and reapply to Medical School after that. And I did—I actually wrote the medical school exams. But by then, it was too late. I had already fallen in love with Earth Science and decided to stick with it! From there, everything just aligned. The more I studied, the more fascinated I became. I loved how geology blends theory with hands-on experience, how it explains everything from mountain ranges to mineral resources, and how it connects to real-world issues like water, energy, and the environment. That passion carried me through my bachelor’s, my master’s, and now my PhD. So what accounts for my love for geology? I think it’s partly the wonder of discovering how the Earth works—and partly how personal the journey has been. It found me when I wasn’t even looking.