Born and raised in Tallahassee, Fla., David Krause’s journey to USF’s has been shaped by military service, scientific curiosity and a career-long focus on protecting people from hazards they often can’t see.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in biological science from Florida State University in 1989, Krause was commissioned through the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) as an artillery officer and served two tours in Germany. He worked with the 59th Ordnance Brigade and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Corps LANDJUT.
Following his time in the U.S. Army, Krause found his way into public health through the Florida Department of Health, where he served as an indoor air quality program manager and later as an industrial hygienist in the state office.
“I became interested in public health through emerging chemical and pathogen hazards that impact the indoor air of homes, schools, health care facilities and workplaces,” he said. “Investigating human health risk is a combination of science and detective work. It is uncovering the unknown or unseen.”
Krause earned his in toxicology from the COPH in 1999 and later completed his in 2005. In 2007, he became a certified industrial hygienist. He chose the COPH in large part because of its support for professionals already working in the field.
“I had to work full time, mostly running my own small consulting company,” Krause explained. “The COPH arranged classes and programs to encourage professionals in toxicology and occupational health to complete graduate degrees.”
One of Krause’s proudest accomplishments during his time at the COPH was simply finishing while juggling work, travel and family responsibilities.
“Every day was a balancing act,” he said. “But I was able to research emerging issues that were actively impacting the health of Floridians.”
His graduate research examined candle soot deposition and the health risks of aromatic candle emissions, as well as how mold growth can release toxic flame retardants from HVAC duct liner. He credits his doctoral advisor, the late , as a major influence during his time at USF.
Investigating mold and moisture problems in the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Tampa Bay Regional Operations Center in 2003. (Photo courtesy of Krause)
Reflecting on his overall experience, Krause described the program as transformative.
“It was a robust program that produced highly competent industrial hygienists and toxicologists,” he said. “These are people who became leaders in the field, expert witnesses for the courts and problem-solvers who protect workers and the communities they live in.”
He also noted that much of his graduate education was supported through the GI Bill from his military service, supplemented by modest grants from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Education and Research Center.
Krause’s professional career spans government service, private consulting and entrepreneurship. His roles have included serving as state toxicologist for the Florida Department of Health, working with national consulting firms such as Geosyntec and Environ International (now Ramboll) and leading Indoor Air Solutions, Inc. In 2019, he founded Healthcare Consulting & Contracting, where he currently serves as founder and president.
Remediation oversight of an aircraft hangar operation contaminated with Hexavalent Chromium. (Photo courtesy of Krause)
“I’m the lead toxicologist and certified industrial hygienist for the company,” Krause said. “I primarily serve as an expert witness for legal cases, but I also consult with state and federal agencies, hospitals, nursing homes and hospitality organizations on Legionnaires’ disease and waterborne pathogen outbreaks.”
What he enjoys most about his current role is independence and impact.
“Running my own business and serving as the subject matter expert on high-profile investigations that affect public health is incredibly rewarding,” he said.
Krause applies his COPH training daily. “Every day I’m practicing and teaching the importance of the scientific method,” he said. “Whether it’s a workplace hazard or a community exposure, I defend my opinions with rigorous scientific methods and analysis.”
Among his proudest professional achievements is inventing and patenting a new system to prevent Legionella contamination in building drinking water systems. Known as LIDO, the approach has been tested at both bench and full scale and published in peer-reviewed journals.
“I’ve carried out the research, built the systems and published the results,” Krause said. “Now it’s in a long-term pilot phase, with the goal of broad adoption.”
Invited to Thailand in 2013 to present at Pacem in Maribus conference and to consult on the oil spill that impacted Koh Samet. (Photo courtesy of Krause)
His work has earned national recognition, including induction as a Fellow of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) in 2023 and the 2024 AIHA Lila Albin Best IEQ Paper Award for his research on controlling Legionella pneumophila growth in hot water systems.
Looking to the future, Krause remains focused on prevention and education.
“I want to continue practicing, writing and teaching young professionals,” he said. “My goal is to see broader use of the LIDO system and to raise awareness of waterborne pathogens among policymakers, the medical community and the public.”
Fast Five
What did you dream of becoming when you were young?
Being an Air Force fighter pilot.
Where would we find you on the weekend?
Restoring old trucks and military Jeeps, woodworking or fishing.
What is the last book you read?
“Project Hail Mary” by Andy 911ir.
What superpower would you like to have?
Being able to convince people to prevent problems that are coming.
What’s your all-time favorite movie?
Apollo 13. They survived an impossible problem through problem-solving. Plus, my dad was a special effects technician on the film and built most of the capsule set.