Deborah A. Eppsteign, PhD, Vice President of SAFRR Northern California, applies her strong technical, analytical, and scientific background to furthering SAFRR goals. Her in-depth knowledge of the relevant state laws, including State Minimum Fire Safe Regulations and networking with state and local officials, are instrumental in our work to educate and assist communities.

Deborah holds a doctorate in biochemistry and honed her legal expertise with teams at pharmaceutical companies and major law firms.  She worked in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry for 37 years, directing research in cancer, vaccines, drug delivery, and stem cells.  She holds 50 scientific publications and 25 patents.  Deborah received awards for Woman Technology Leadership Excellence and Business Woman of the Year as CEO of Q Therapeutics, Inc.

After retiring in 2015, Deborah moved to Sonoma County, where she became involved in environmental and public safety issues.  Her pioneering work on preserving laws that allow development only on roads, allowing emergency equipment access with concurrent civilian evacuation, was instrumental in the founding of SAFRR. Deborah received the SAFRR 2022 Environmentalist Award from the Sonoma County Conservation Council.