Bio

Dr. Khara Grieger is an expert in risk governance and responsible innovation of emerging technologies. She is the incoming Director of the GES Center and has served on its Executive Committee since 2019. She directs a USDA/NIFA-funded project with co-PI Jennifer Kuzma examining the societal implications of genetic engineering and nanomaterials in food and agricultural systems. She also serves as Associate Director for Outreach and Engagement for the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at NC State and as Co-Director of Knowledge Transfer for the NSF-funded Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Center. In addition, she is a Co-PI on an NSF ReDDDoT project focused on phosphorus mitigation technologies and stakeholder engagement.

Dr. Grieger has authored more than 80 publications and 13 book chapters on risk governance and stakeholder engagement related to emerging technologies, including applications of genetic engineering. She is an Editor for Environment Systems and Decisions and serves on the Board of the Society for Risk Analysis (SRA). Her research and scholarship have been recognized with several honors, including NC State’s University Faculty Scholar Award, the Goodnight Innovator Career Award, and the STEPS Broadening Participation Medal.

Before joining NC State, Dr. Grieger was a Senior Environmental Research Scientist at RTI International in the Health and Environmental Risk Analysis Program (2012–2019) and a Duke University Scholar (2017–2018). In those roles, she led independent research and provided technical support for federal agencies, including the FDA, EPA, NIOSH, and the U.S. Army.

Education

PhD in Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark; MSc in Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark; MS in Plant Biology and Ecology, Michigan State University; BS in Zoology from Michigan State University.

Expertise

Risk assessment, Decision-support, Emerging technologies, Risk governance

Grants & Projects

• Grieger, K.D. (PI). Interdisciplinary Approaches to Evaluate Societal Implications and Foster Sustainability of Genetic Engineering and Nanotechnology in Food and Agriculture. USDA/NIFA. Funded, $649,515. January 2022-January 2026
• Grieger, K.D. (Co-PI and Leadership team for Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy), Bezos Center for Sustainable Proteins at NC State. Bezos Earth Fund. Funded, $30M (PI= Shirwaiker). 2024-2029
• Grieger, K.D. (Co-PI and Knowledge Transfer Co-Director), Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Center. NSF. Funded, $25M (PI= Jones). 2021-2026.
• Grieger, K.D. (Co-PI), ReDDDoT Phase 1: Planning Grant: Treatment Technologies for Phosphorus Mitigation. NSF. Funded, $300,000 (PI= Phadha). 2021-2026.
• Grieger, K.D. (Co-PI). Cultivating A Resilient Workforce By Integrating A Culturally Competent Community of Scholarship & Data Science in Food & Agricultural Research. USDA/NIFA. Funded, $238,500 (PI = Jones, D.). 2021-2026.
• Grieger, K.D. (Co-PI). Implications of Solar Radiation Management for Strategic Behavior and Climate Governance. NSF. Funded, $565,872 (PI=Borsuk). April 2020-March 2024
• Improving Crop Productivity and Value Through Heterogeneous Data Integration, Analytics, and Decision Support Platforms. Game-Changing Research Incentive Program. NC State University. Funded, $550,000 (Williams = PI). February 2020 – June 2024.
• Grieger, K.D. (Co-PI). Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grant Program Conference grant. USDA/NIFA. Funded, $25,000 (PI = Barnhill-Dilling). September 2020-September 2022.
• Grieger, K.D. (team member). Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network. NSF. Funded $5.5M (Jones = PI). 2019- 2024.
• Grieger, K.D. (PI). Social Implication and Best Practices for Responsible Innovation of Nanotechnology in Food and Agriculture. USDA/NIFA. Funded, $499,856. July 2019-January 2022.
• Grieger, K.D. (PI). Society for Risk Analysis Strategic Plan Initiative. SRA. Funded, $20,000. September 2019 – February 2022 Grieger, K.D. (Co-PI).
• Grieger, K.D. (Co-PI). Game-Changing Research Incentive Program. NC State University – RTI International. Funded, $650,000 (Jones = PI). 2017-2020

Featured In

Search GES Media Mentions >

• Leading GES into the Future: A Conversation with Khara Grieger, Patti Mulligan, GES Center, 11/3/2025
• Podcast: PFAS in Our Food: What the Science Says About “Forever Chemicals,  Katie Sanders, The Science That Feeds Us, 10/10/2025
• 2024-25 University Faculty Scholars Named, Emily Packard, NC State News, 2/18/2025

Awards & Appointments

• Deputy Director, Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Center
• Co-Director of Knowledge Transfer, STEPS Center
• Associate Director of Outreach and Engagement, Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at NC State
• Board Member (Councilor) for Society for Risk Analysis
• Editor for Environment Systems and Decisions
• 2024-25, University Faculty Scholar
• 2024, STEPS Center Broadening Participation Medal
• 2021, Goodnight Early Career Innovator
• 2018, Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network (RTNN) Collaborative Award
• 2018, HOT paper selection for Environmental Science: Nano
• 2017, American Society of Civil Engineers State-of-the-Art Civil Engineering Award
• 2013-2017, Highly Published Author Award, RTI International
• 2014, 2017, Highly Cited Author Award, RTI International
• 2014, Professional Development Award, RTI International
• 2013, Early Career Award, RTI International
• 2011, Best Young Scientist Prize, Integ-Risk and Society for Risk Analysis

Highlighted Publications

See all publications on Google Scholar > or search GES Faculty Publications >
Koivusaari, K., Aimutis, W.R., Sanders, K., Schroeder-Moreno, M., Hill, D., Consavage Stanley, K., Shirwaiker, R., Grieger, K. (2025). An Extension Guide to Alternative Proteins. NC State Extension. Retrieved from https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/an-extension-guide-to-alternative-proteins. PDF. Graphic

Loschin, N., Kuzma, J., Barrangou, R., & Grieger, K. (2025). Environmental assessment and regulatory oversight of genetically engineered crops in the United States. Environmental Science & Policy, 173, 104237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104237. PDF. Graphic. Podcast

Grieger, K., Barry, N., Bourne, K., Deviney, A., Elser, J. J., Scholz, M., & Jones, J. L. (2025). Engaging stakeholders in phosphorus sustainability: Challenges, lessons learned, and implications for addressing other wicked problems. Elementa, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1525/elementa.2024.00060. PDF. Graphic. Podcast

Horgan, M. D., Cummings, C. L., Kuzma, J., Dahlstrom, M., Cimadori, I., Cuchiara, M., Larter, C., Loschin, N., & Grieger, K. D. (2025). Beyond the Hype: Stakeholder Perceptions of Nanotechnology and Genetic Engineering for Sustainable Food Production. Sustainability, 17(15), 6795. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17156795. PDF. Graphic. Podcast

Oates, C. C., Grieger, K., Emanuel, R., & Nelson, N. G. (2025). Surface waters in socially vulnerable areas are disproportionately under-monitored for nutrients in the US South Atlantic-Gulf region. Nature Water, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-025-00460-5.

Bacheva, V., Madison, I., Baldwin, M., Baker, J., Beilstein, M., Call, D. F., Deaver, J. A., Efimenko, K., Genzer, J., Grieger, K., . . . Stroock, A. D. (2025). Transdisciplinary Collaborations for Advancing Sustainable and Resilient Agricultural Systems. Global Change Biology, 31(4), e70142. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.70142. PDF

Grieger, K., Scholz, M., Cummings, C.L. et al. Exploring awareness, implementation, and future use of urine diversion systems in U.S. university buildings. Environ Syst Decis 45, 17 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-025-10011-8. PDF

Cimadori I, Di Concetto A, Grieger K. The Protection of Selectively Bred and Gene Edited Farm Animals under EU Law. European Journal of Risk Regulation. (2025) 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1017/err.2025.12. PDF. Graphic

Brannon A. and Grieger K. “Addressing PFAS Biosolid Contamination on Farmland.” Southern Ag Today 5(9.5). February 28, 2025. Permalink https://southernagtoday.org/2025/02/07/addressing-pfas-biosolid-contamination-on-farmland/.

Oates C., Fajardo H., Grieger K., Obenour D., Muenich R. L., & Nelson N. G. (2024) Effective Nutrient Management of Surface Waters in the United States Requires Expanded Water Quality Monitoring in Agriculturally Intensive Areas. ACS Environ Au.5(1):1-11. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenvironau.4c00060. PDF. Graphic

Jones, J.L., Berube, D., Cuchiara, M., Grieger, K. et al. (2024). Positioning nanotechnology to address climate change. Environment Systems and Decisions. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-024-09991-w. PDF. Graphic.

Grieger, K.D., Loschin, N., Barnhill, K., Gould, F. (2024). Let’s Talk about Genetic Engineering: A Guide to Understanding Genetic Engineering and Its Applications in Food, Agriculture, and the Environment. NC State Extension. Retrieved from https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/lets-talk-about-genetic-engineering. PDF. Graphic

Merck, A., Grieger, K., Crane, L., Boyer, T. 2024. Researchers must address regulatory regimes to scale up adoption of urine diversion systems in the U.S. Environ. Res.: Infrastruct. Sustain. 4 023001. https://doi.org/10.1088/2634-4505/ad59c3. PDF

Lowry, G.V., Giraldo, J.P., Steinmetz, N.F.,… Grieger, K., et al. Towards realizing nano-enabled precision delivery in plants. Nat. Nanotechnol. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-024-01667-5. PDF. Graphic

Grieger, K. , Wiener, J., Kuzma, J. Improving risk governance strategies via learning: a comparative analysis of solar radiation modification and gene drives. Environment Systems and Decisions. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-024-09979-6. PDF. Graphic.

Grieger, K. & May, K. (2024). Guide to Understanding and Addressing PFAS in our Communities. NC State Extension. Retrieved from https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/Guide-to-Understanding-and-Addressing-PFAS-in-our-communities. PDF

Grieger, K. and Kuzma, J. (2023) Ensuring Sustainable Novel Plant Biotechnologies Requires Formalized Research and Assessment Programs. ACS Agric. Sci. Technol. Article ASAP. doi: 10.1021/acsagscitech.3c00380. PDF. Graphical abstract. Supplementary cover art

Kuzma, J., Grieger, K., Cimadori, I., Cummings, C. L., Loschin, N., & Wei, W. (2023). Parameters, practices, and preferences for regulatory review of emerging biotechnology products in food and agriculture. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 11, 1256388. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1256388. PDF

Wei, W., Grieger, K., Cummings, C. L., Loschin, N., & Kuzma, J. (2023) Identifying sustainability assessment parameters for genetically engineered agrifoods. Plants, People, Planet. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10411

Ethridge, S., Grieger, K., Locke, A., Everman, W., Jordan, D., & Leon, R. (2023). Views of RNAi approaches for weed management in turfgrass systems. Weed Science, 1-33. doi: 10.1017/wsc.2023.37

Grieger, K., Merck, A., Deviney, A. et al. What are stakeholder views and needs for achieving phosphorus sustainability?. Environ Syst Decis (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s10669-023-09917-y. PDF

He, Q.,… Grieger, K. et al. (2023). Phytoextraction of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) by Weeds: Effect of Pfas Physicochemical Properties and Plant Physiological Traits. Journal of Hazardous Materials, vol. 454, 28 Apr. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131492. PDF

Gao, J., …, Grieger, K. 2022. Assessing the Impacts of Urbanization on Stream Ecosystem Functioning: Litter Decomposition and Nutrient Uptake in Forest and Hyper-Eutrophic Stream. Ecological Indicators, 138: 108859. doi: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.108859. PDF

Deviney A., Grieger K., Merck A., Classen J., Marshall A.M. (2023), Phosphorus sustainability through coordinated stakeholder engagement: a perspective. Environment Systems and Decisions. doi: 10.1007/s10669-023-09896-0. PDF

Ahmad J, Baltzegar J, Brown ZS, Delborne JA, Dhole S, Elsensohn J, Gould F, Grieger K, Hardwick A, Kuzma J, Lorenzen M, Loschin N, Medina R, Mostert B, Mulligan P, Pepin K, Spangle D, Stauffer S, Stokes R, Wei W, and Barnhill SK. (2022) Gene Drives in Agriculture: Risk Assessment and Research Prioritization. Genetic Engineering and Society Center, NC State University Online at: https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-gene-drive-workshop-white-paper

Horgan, M.D., Hsain, H.A., Jones, J.L. Grieger, K.D. (2023) Development and application of screening-level risk analysis for emerging materials, Sustainable Materials and Technologies, 35. Graphical abstract (Figure 4)

Merck, A. W., Grieger, K. D., and Kuzma, J.. How can we promote the responsible innovation of nano-agrifood research? Environmental Science & Policy 137, 2022. 10.1016/j.envsci.2022.08.027 PDF. Graphical Abstract

Grieger, K. (2022). STEPS to Tackle Our Phosphorus Paradox. Wicked Problems, Wolfpack Solutions. DOI: 10.52750/331886

Grieger, K., Cummings, C.L. 2022. Informing Environmental Health and Risk Priorities through Local Outreach and Extension. Environment Systems and Decisions doi: 10.1007/s10669-022-09864-0 PDF

Merck, A. W., Grieger, K. D., Cuchiara, M., & Kuzma, J. (2022). What Role Does Regulation Play in Responsible Innovation of Nanotechnology in Food and Agriculture? Insights and Framings from U.S. Stakeholders. Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society. doi: 10.1177/02704676221102066. PDF

Zhi Y., Lu H., Grieger K.D., et al. Bioaccumulation and Translocation of 6:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonate, GenX, and Perfluoroalkyl Acids by Urban Spontaneous Plants. ACS ES&T Engineering Article. April 18, 2022. DOI: 10.1021/acsestengg.1c00423. PDF

Grieger K., Merck A., Kuzma K. (2022) Formulating best practices for responsible innovation of nano-agrifoods through stakeholder insights and reflection. Journal of Responsible Technology 10. doi: 10.1016/j.jrt.2022.100030. PDFGraphical abstract

Baun A., Grieger K. (2022) Environmental Risk Assessment of Emerging Contaminants: The Case of Nanomaterials. In: Guo LH., Mortimer M. (eds) Advances in Toxicology and Risk Assessment of Nanomaterials and Emerging Contaminants. Springer, Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-16-9116-4_15 PDF

Grieger, K., Zarate, S., Barnhill, S.K., Hunt, S., Jones, D., Kuzma, J. 2022. Fostering Responsible Innovation through Stakeholder Engagement: Case Study of North Carolina Sweetpotato Stakeholders. Sustainability, 14, 2274. doi: 10.3390/su14042274PDF
Ruzante, J. M., Shumaker, E. T., Holt, S., Mayer, S., Kokotovich, A., Cuchiara, M., Binder, A. R., Kuzma, J., & Grieger, K. (2022). Eliciting stakeholder perceptions using a novel online engagement platform: A case study on nano-agrifoods. RTI Press. RTI Press Occasional Paper No. OP-0071-2201. doi: 10.3768/rtipress.2022.op.0071.2201. PDF
Kokotovich, A.E., Kuzma, J., Cummings, C.L., Grieger, K.. Responsible Innovation Definitions, Practices, and Motivations from Nanotechnology Researchers in Food and Agriculture. Nanoethics (2021). doi: 10.1007/s11569-021-00404-9. PDF

Grieger, K.D, Merck, A.W., Cuchiara, M., Binder, A.R., Kokotovich, A., Cummings, C.L., Kuzma, J. Responsible innovation of nano-agrifoods: Insights and views from U.S. stakeholders. NanoImpact, Volume 24, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.impact.2021.100365. PDF

Grieger, K., Isigonis, P., Franken, R., Wigger, H., Bossa, N., Janer, G., Rycroft, T., Kennedy, A., Hansen, S.F. 2021. Chapter 5: Risk Screening Tools for Engineering Nanomaterials. IN: Ethics in Nanotechnology: Social Sciences and Philosophical Aspects, edited by Marcel Van de Voorde and Gunjan Jeswani, Berlin, Boston: De Gruyter, 2021, pp. 89-108. doi: 10.1515/9783110719932-005

Zhi, Y., Call, D., Grieger, K., Duckworth, O., Jones, J.L., Knappe, D. 2021. Influence of Natural Organic Matter and pH on Phosphate Removal by and Lanthanum Release from Lanthanum-Modified Bentonite. Water Research; doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117399. PDF

Cummings Christopher L., Kuzma Jennifer, Kokotovich Adam, Glas David, Grieger Khara (2021). Barriers to responsible innovation of nanotechnology applications in food and agriculture: A study of US experts and developers. NanoImpact, 100326, ISSN 2452-0748. doi:10.1016/j.impact.2021.100326. PDF

Kuiken T, Barrangou R, Grieger K. (Broken) Promises of Sustainable Food and Agriculture through New Biotechnologies: The CRISPR Case. CRISPR J. 2021 Feb 10:1-7. doi: 10.1089/crispr.2020.0098 PDF

Kuzma, J. and Grieger, K. 2020. Community-led governance for gene-edited crops. Science, Vol. 370, Issue 6519. doi: 10.1126/science.abd1512

Kuzma, J., Grieger, K.D., Cummings, C.L., Brown, Z. S. 2020. Pandemics Call for Systems Approaches to Research and Funding. Issues in Science and Technology, May 4, 2020. Available: https://issues.org/pandemics-call-for-systems-approaches/

Grieger, K., Jones, J.L., Hansen, S.F., Hendren, C.O., Jensen, K.A., Kuzma, J., Baun, A. 2019. What are the Key Best Practices from Nanomaterial Risk Analysis That May Be Relevant for Other Emerging Technologies? Nature Nanotechnology, 14, 998–1001, doi:10.1038/s41565-019-0572-1.

Porcari, A., Borsella, E., Benighaus, C., Grieger, K., Isigonis, P., Chakravarty, S., Kines, P., Jensen, K.A. 2019. From Risk Perception to Risk Governance in Nanotechnology: A Multi-Stakeholder Study. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 21(11), 1-19.

Grieger, K., Felgenhauer, T., Renn, O., Wiener, J., Borsuk. 2019. Emerging Risk Governance for Stratospheric Aerosol Injection as a Climate Management Technology. Environmental System and Decisions, 39(4), 371-382.

Isigonis, P., Hristozov, D., Benighaus, C., Giubilato, E., Grieger, K., Pizzol, L., Semenzin, E., Linkov, I., Zabeo, A., Marcomini, A. 2019. Risk Governance of Nanomaterials: Review of Criteria and Tools for Risk Communication, Evaluation, and Mitigation. Nanomaterials, 9(696), doi:10.3390/nano9050696

Mortensen, N.P., Johnson, L., Grieger, K., Fennell, T.R. 2019. Biological Interactions between Nanomaterials and Placental Development and Function Following Oral Exposure. Reproductive Toxicology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2019.08.016.

Grieger, K., Bossa, N., Levis, J., von Borries, K., Strader, P., Cuchicara, M., Hendren, C.O., Hansen, S.F., Jones, J. 2018. Application and Testing of Risk Screening Tools for Nanomaterial Risk Analysis. Environmental Science: Nano, 5:1844-1858.

Hjorth, R., Holden, P.A., Hansen, S.F., Colman, B.P., Grieger, K., Hendren, C.O. 2017. The Role of Alternative Testing Strategies in Environmental Risk Assessment of Engineered Nanomaterials. Environmental Science: Nano, 4:292-301