About us
We prevent pollution from poisoning people
The digital age is the global age. Items we all rely on every day connect us to communities around the world. Every time we use a phone or computer, drive a car, or charge a device, we use resources extracted from the earth. The extraction of these resources disproportionately affects the most vulnerable people in the world’s most vulnerable communities.
TIFO supports local priorities:
- Help communities supportive of extractive industries implement programs to make them safer.
- Support communities opposed to extractive industries in determining what happens on their lands.
In every case, our work is grounded in scientific assessment and responsive to local realities.
Mission
To safeguard environmental health by providing scientifically sound education and workforce development that build leadership, catalyze change, and are grounded in local knowledge.
Vision
A world where all communities are equipped with the knowledge and skills to protect future generations and maintain livelihoods.
“TIFO is really an admirable organization…They don't come in and simply impose their vision on the local community. Instead, they sit, they talk, they listen, they hear what the local community needs, and then they hammer out a plan in partnership with the community so that they co-create the solution.”
- Phil Landrigan, M.D.
World-renowned pediatrician, epidemiologist, & public health physician.
50+
Years
Experience
because all people deserve to live and work in a healthy environment
TIFO’s model is rooted in science, respect, sustainability, and equity. We don’t march in with one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we work alongside communities to understand their unique realities. Then we train and employ local teams, and adapt proven, science-based interventions to fit their specific cultural and economic contexts.
Our projects secure diverse funding streams—including responsible contributions from governments and industry.
By pairing environmental health science with capacity building, we help communities shape industry and development on their own terms. So no family is forced to choose between earning a living and protecting their healt
We focus our work on extractive industry sites because they are often the source of the most severe environmental health crises
TIFO's Roots in Idaho Mining Communities
TIFO was founded in 2012 by Margrit von Braun and Ian von Lindern to address growing disparities in global environmental health. TIFO is the non-profit successor to the TerraGraphics Environmental Engineering (TGEE) and University of Idaho International Initiative.
TGEE worked with local, state, and federal governments to address environmental contamination in the U.S., including remediation at the Bunker Hill Superfund Site. The Initiative with the University of Idaho adapted and implemented hazardous waste site cleanup methods to the cultural and socio-economic realities of low and middle-income countries.
Drs. von Braun and von Lindern established TIFO to continue this work in the non-profit sector—bringing scientific rigor and community collaboration to global environmental health challenges.
MEET OUR TEAM
Casey Bartrem, Ph.D., R.P.C.V.
Executive Director
Whit Schroeder, MPA
Development and Outreach Manager, Program Support
Gulzat Madmarova
Project Coordinator
Marina Steiner
Research Intern
Faith Quigley
Legal Intern
Steven Melle
Project Support Intern
Ronald D. Dobbin, M.Sc.
Board President
Ian H. von Lindern, Ph.D., P.E.
Co-Founder and Board Member
Margrit von Braun, Ph.D., P.E.
Co-Founder and Board Member
Ed Galindo, Ph.D.
Board Member
Jeannie Harvey, Ph.D.
Board Member
Philip J. Landrigan, M.D., M.Sc.
Board Member
Martins Dada, M.B., B.S., MScIH, DTMPH
Board Member
Allyson Beall King, Ph.D.
Board Member
Katie Swanson, MPP
Board Member
TIFO Network
Solving environmental health challenges requires interdisciplinary expertise. TIFO relies on a global network of experts and organizations to collaborate on projects. This network allows us to bring the best available science and technical expertise to the locations where we work. It provides people with opportunities to work on challenging and rewarding projects worldwide.
Partner Organizations
