ARLENE BLUM, PhD.

Arlene Blum PhD, environmental health scientist, author, and mountaineer is founder and executive director of the Green Science Policy Institute and a Research Associate in Cell and Molecular Biology at UC Berkeley.  The Institute’s scientific research and policy work with government and business has contributed to preventing the use of flame retardants, PFAS, and other classes of harmful chemicals world-wide contributing to healthier products, people, and planet.

Arlene Blum led the first American—and all-women’s—ascent of Annapurna I, considered one of the world’s most dangerous and difficult mountains, co-led the first women’s team to climb Denali; completed the Great Himalayan Traverse across the mountain regions of Bhutan, Nepal, and India; and hiked the length of the European Alps with her baby daughter on her back.  She is the author of Annapurna: A Woman’s Place and Breaking Trail: A Climbing Life.

Blum’s awards include her 2024 inclusion in the Forbes Sustainability Leaders list of 50 global changemakers, 2022 Honorary Doctorate from the University of San Francisco,  Induction into the California Hall of Fame,  2017 UC Berkeley International House Alumna of the Year, 2015 award for lifetime achievement of a  Reed College graduate,  National Women’s History Project selection as one of 100 “Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet,”  and the Gold Medal from the Society of Women Geographers.

Arlene Blum received her BS in Chemistry from Reed College and her PhD in Biophysical Chemistry from UC Berkeley. More at  www.arleneblum.com.

See Arlene’s resume.

Visit the Arlene Blum Archives at the Stanford Green Library.