The good Cornellians can do: Elliot Gordon ’64

About 40 years ago, Elliot Gordon '64 moved to Princeton Junction, New Jersey, where he works as a toxicologist. His primary focus is conducting risk analyses on various pesticides.

Given his professional background, Elliot was recruited to serve on the local (West Windsor Township) environmental commission. This volunteer group works to limit adverse effects of pesticides and leaf blowers, promote native lawns and pollinator species, clean up plastic debris, and implement best practices to prevent wildfires.

“We are improving the environment, project by project,” Elliot says. “A good example is the pollinator garden planted by volunteers in our community park. The benefit is primarily ecological—supporting native flowers and insects. But a secondary benefit is the pleasure it gives visitors to the park.”

Elliot is currently working on a product to manage invasive cane toads in Florida. These toads disrupt the environment with their “voracious appetites,” Elliot explains, and they release a toxin that is poisonous to dogs.

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