East Palestine resident and current Columbiana County Health District Board member was recently nominated for a 2025 Community Engagement Award in Environmental Health Award in Environmental Health Sciences. (Submitted photo)
EAST PALESTINE — In the early days following the 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment and chemical spill, East Palestine’s Misti Allison stepped forward at senate hearings as the face of the disaster. In the years that followed, she gave the derailment a voice by writing op-eds for both The Hill and Time Magazine. Over two years removed from the disaster, Allison continues to put the words she has penned and spoken on national networks into action.
For her efforts to raise awareness for those still living in the wake and worry of the derailment and to make her community a cleaner place, Allison has been nominated for a 2025 Community Engagement Award in Environmental Health Award in Environmental Health Sciences.
The University of Kentucky Center for Appalachian Research in Environmental Sciences (UK-CARES) in partnership with the Center of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) awards the distinctions. The UK-CARES/CERH Community Engagement Award recognizes individuals or community-academic teams who demonstrate outstanding achievement in and commitment to community-engaged research or project evaluation to improve environmental health in Appalachia.
“I am incredibly grateful for this nomination and the support of my colleagues, community partners, and the University of Kentucky,” Allison said. “This recognition not only highlights the importance of our work but also motivates us to continue driving environmental health efforts forward.”
The collaborative work Allison refers to is the East Palestine Train Derailment Health Tracking Study led by the University of Kentucky and Dr. Erin Hayes. Hayes, Professor and Chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, College of Public Health at the University of Kentucky, was one of the first researchers to consider the impact the chemicals released and burned over the village would have on public health and on the epidemiology of those left to live in the East Palestine and neighboring communities.
The study was one of six National Institute of Health (NIH) grants awarded to institutes of higher learning to assess and understand the full scope of the derailment. Hayes’ team, of which Allison is now a part of, collected biological samples, tested indoor air and gave residents wristbands to wear that can pick up toxicity in the environment. The study continues to measure health symptoms, stress and well-being of East Palestine residents through surveys, blood work and other bio sampling as well as wristbands designed to detect toxins in the air.
“This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, led by Dr. Erin Haynes, in improving environmental health in Appalachia, particularly in East Palestine,” Allison said.
Allison is also part of Moms Clean Air Force — a national environmental advocacy group of 1.5 million moms and dads united against air pollution and climate change.
Allison’s advocacy for East Palestine’s environmental health started the moment 38 cars, including 11 which contained hazardous materials, careened off the tracks on Feb. 3, 2023.
“Since the train derailment in my town, I have been deeply committed to conducting effective research through community engaged sciences, with the goal to make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by environmental challenges,” Allison said. “By working closely with local communities, we have been able to identify and address critical issues ensuring that our research is both relevant and impactful.”
Allison is uniquely qualified to talk about the public health of her community. She holds a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Services Management and Policy from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Kent State University. At the time of the derailment, she was working in the technology industry, but previously worked as a market researcher at Cleveland Clinic for seven years and held roles at Susan G. Komen and the American Cancer Society.
Last year, Allison joined the Columbiana County Health District Board in 2024 after being appointed by the Columbiana County Health District Advisory Council. Former County Commissioner Tim Weigle had recommended Allison for the opening after approaching her to see if she would be interested, noting her credentials.
Allison plans to put her expertise to work to ensure a cleaner, safer environment far past the village limits of East Palestine.
“Looking ahead, I am more determined than ever to use my science and public health background to make a positive impact,” she said. “Together, we can create healthier, more resilient communities in Appalachia and beyond. Thank you to everyone who has supported and believed in these efforts. Here’s to a future where science and community engagement go hand-in-hand to improve environmental health.”
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