Superfund Research Program

Research Translation Core

Project Leader: Wendy J. Heiger-Bernays
Co-Investigators: David M. Ozonoff, Madeleine Kangsen Scammell
Grant Number: P42ES007381
Funding Period: 2005-2021

Project-Specific Links

Final Progress Reports

Year:   2019  2016 

The Research Translation Core (RTC) successfully operates as the megaphone for the science conducted by the Center’s Projects to multiple audiences and coordinates with NIEHS and other Superfund Research Programs. Primary partners include the Boston Museum of Science (MOS), Collaborative for Health (CHE) and local, regional and national organizations that use the science to inform decision-making. Standout accomplishments of the RTC include the “Fish Forum” at the MOS. This program involved active learning and engaged citizens, policymakers from state and federal regulatory organizations, and scientists (including from the Dartmouth SRP and Brown University SRP) in deliberative conversations around emerging scientific and technological issues concerning hazardous waste sites and contaminants in seafood. The RTC also continued a productive partnership with the Collaborative for Health and Environment (CHE) through three well-attended Partnership Calls, including a record-breaking call discussing the emerging contaminants, Polyflouroalkyl Substances (PFAS) that received over 240 RSVPs and 1,385 hits on their website in one month. Also, the RTC and Community Engagement Core, in partnership with the University of Iowa SRP, have been responding to concerns and engaging with the community in the New Bedford Harbor area with a study monitoring PCB concentrations in air. Four rounds of data have been collected from air monitors placed at residents’ homes and researchers have shared the data with decision-makers at Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and Region 1 US EPA, two manuscripts are submitted for publication. The RTC will complete a human health risk assessment in spring 2017