Noteworthy: The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health awarded Roberge its 2015 Distinguished Career Scientist award.

Age: 69

Community: Highland Park

Family: Wife, Mary; children Marc, 27, and Celeste, 24

Occupation: Roberge is a research medical officer for NIOSH.

Education: Associate degree in accounting, Westchester Community College in New York; bachelor’s degree in biology, Mercy College in New York; medical degree, Universidad Central del Este, Dominican Republic; master’s degree in public health, University of Pittsburgh. Roberge is board certified in emergency medicine, medical toxicology and occupational medicine.

Background: At NIOSH, Roberge studies ways to improve the protective gear worn by emergency responders and medical professionals. In March, he spent a month in West Africa studying the clothing and equipment doctors and staff wear while treating Ebola patients. The high temperatures made it difficult for medical workers to wear the protective gear for more than an hour.

Quote: “We’re investigating different cooling strategies so they can tolerate the heat better.”

Brian Bowling is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Contact him at 412-325-4301 at bbowling@tribweb.com.

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