The Center for Truth in Science is a nonprofit organization that commissions independent scientific research on issues that affect the economy and the judicial system. ¹

Activities

The Center for Truth in Science commissions fact-based, scientific research projects to support judicial and regulatory decisions based on unbiased and comprehensive analyses of scientific evidence. The Center seeks to support a judicial system that uses fact-based science in determining liability and damage awards. ¹

Currently, the Center is focused on research regarding the risk of substances like ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, glyphosate, PFAs, and talc, especially as they relate to potentially causing cancer or other diseases. The Center is also concerned with filling in the gaps in evidence of previous research into these substances. ²

Funding

The Center for Truth in Science is funded by donations from individuals, foundations, and businesses. While the Center for Truth in Science does not disclose its donors, tax filings confirm donations from DonorsTrust ($1.4 million in 2021), ³ American Independent Media ($200,000 in 2020), ⁴ and the Sarah Scaife Foundation ($100,000 in 2021). ⁵

People

Jacob Traverse is the president and CEO of the Center for Truth in Science. Traverse is a former executive director of the Triangle Global Health Consortium and formerly held positions at Novozymes, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, and the Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences. ⁶

Peggy Murray is the research director of the Center for Truth in Science. Murray formerly worked at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism at the National Institutes of Health. ⁷

Board of Directors

Richard A. Williams is the chair of the board of the Center for Truth in Science and a trustee of the Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences. Williams is a former member of the EPA Science Advisory Board, a former chief social scientist at the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at the FDA, and a former vice president at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. ⁸

Joseph Annotti is the treasurer of the board and the former president and CEO of the Center for Truth in Science. Annotti formerly worked as the president and CEO of the American Fraternal Alliance, senior vice president of the Property Casualty Insurers Association, executive vice president of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of California, and vice president of public affairs of American Business Insurance. ⁹

David Randall is the secretary of the board of the Center for Truth in Science and the director of research at the National Association of Scholars. ¹⁰

Marjana Martinic is the founder and CEO of MM Science and Policy Advisors, LLC. Martinic formerly worked as the deputy CEO and senior vice president of science and policy at the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking and as deputy president of the International Center for Alcohol Policies. ¹¹

Nathan A. Schachtman is an elected member of the American Law Institute and a life fellow of the American Bar Foundation. ¹²

Ted Simon formerly worked as a toxicologist at the Environmental Protection Agency. ¹³

1. “Our Mission.” Center for Truth in Science. Accessed October 16, 2023. https://truthinscience.org/about/mission/.
2. “Funding & Findings from the Center for Truth in Science.” Center for Truth in Science. Accessed October 16, 2023. https://truthinscience.org/funding-findings-from-the-center-for-truth-in-science/.
3. DonorsTrust, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2021, Schedule I, Part II.
4. American Independent Media, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2020, Schedule I, Part II.
5. Sarah Scaife Foundation Incorporated, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2021, Part XV, Line 3.
6. “Jacob Traverse, MBA, MMB.” Center for Truth in Science. Accessed October 10, 2023. https://truthinscience.org/about/people/jacob-traverse-mba-mmb.
7. “Peggy Murray, Ph.D.” Center for Truth in Science. Accessed October 10, 2023. https://truthinscience.org/about/people/peggy-murray.
8. “Dr. Richard Williams, Ph.D.” Center for Truth in Science. Accessed October 10, 2023. https://truthinscience.org/about/people/dr-richard-williams.
9. “Joseph Annotti, B.A.” Center for Truth in Science. Accessed October 10, 2023. https://truthinscience.org/about/people/joseph-annotti.
10. “David Randall, Ph.D.” Center for Truth in Science. Accessed October 10, 2023. https://truthinscience.org/about/people/david-randall.
11. “Dr. Marjana Martinic, Ph.D.” Center for Truth in Science. Accessed October 10, 2023. https://truthinscience.org/about/people/marjana-martinic.
12. “Nathan Schachtman, J.D.” Center for Truth in Science. Accessed October 10, 2023. https://truthinscience.org/about/people/nathan-schachtman-j-d.
13. “Ted W. Simon.” LinkedIn. Accessed October 16, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-w-simon-4356a217/.