Sylvia E Johnson

Sylvia E. Johnson, Ph.D. currently works for the National Education Association in the Government Relations department, where she leads their legislative work on the safe reopening of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, with specific emphasis on educating NEA members on the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines. Prior to joining NEA, she was the Assistant Legislative Director of Legislative Affairs for the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). Some of the issues she worked on included the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Toxic Substance Control Act, and the Affordable Care Act. Prior to working in the Legislative Department, she worked in the UAW’s Health and Safety Department as an occupational epidemiologist where, in addition to her work on work-related health studies, she conducted hazard assessments and investigated incidents involving the death of workers due to either chemical, biological, or physical exposures. Dr. Johnson graduated from Fayetteville State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography and double minors in Mathematics and Physics. She earned a Master of Science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Industrial Hygiene, and a Ph.D. degree from Old Dominion University in Urban Health Services Research with a concentration in Occupational and Environmental Health.