Jason Peterson
About Jason Peterson
Jason Peterson serves as the Chemical Threat Preparedness Coordinator at the Minnesota Department of Health, where he analyzes emergency response samples and coordinates with various agencies on chemical threats. He has a background in chemistry and has held positions at several organizations, including 3M and DiaSorin, while also coaching track at Stillwater Area High School.
Current Role at Minnesota Department of Health
Jason Peterson serves as the Chemical Threat Preparedness Coordinator at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) since 2016. In this role, he analyzes suspicious unknown emergency response samples and provides timely results to stakeholders. He acts as the MDH contact person for multiple agencies regarding chemical threats. His responsibilities include coordinating with local, state, and federal partners, such as the Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM), HAZMAT teams, and the 55th Civil Support Team (CST) for unknown chemical analysis and sample testing.
Professional Experience in Chemical Analysis
Prior to his current position, Jason Peterson worked at several organizations in roles related to chemical analysis and support. He was a Customer Support Engineer at PerkinElmer Corp from 2014 to 2016 and a Process Scientist 2 at DiaSorin from 2008 to 2009. Additionally, he served as a Technical Aide at 3M from 2002 to 2006. These positions provided him with extensive experience in technical support and scientific analysis.
Educational Background in Chemistry
Jason Peterson holds a Master's degree in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota, which he completed from 2006 to 2007. He also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of St. Thomas, studying there from 2002 to 2005. His educational background has equipped him with a strong foundation in chemical principles and practices.
Coaching Experience at Stillwater Area High School
In addition to his work in chemical preparedness, Jason Peterson has been the Lead Sprint/Jumps Track Coach at Stillwater Area High School since 2008. His coaching role spans 16 years, during which he has contributed to the development of student-athletes in track and field events.
Collaboration with National Agencies
Jason Peterson participates in nationwide workgroups that support Drugs of Abuse Testing and the Laboratory Response Network (LRN). He collaborates with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on sample packaging and shipping requests and exercises, enhancing the effectiveness of chemical threat preparedness efforts.