Superfund Research Program

UNM Metals Exposure and Toxicity Assessment on tribal Lands in the Southwest (METALS) Superfund Research Program

Center Director: Jose Manuel Cerrato
Grant Number: P42ES025589
Funding Period: 2017-2027

Program Links

News Items List

• Scientist Answers Big Questions About Tiny Plastics
  Environmental Factor - April 2025
  Matthew Campen, Ph.D., a scientist at the University of New Mexico Superfund Research Program Center, is at the forefront of research on micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs). NIEHS Director Rick Woychik, Ph.D., interviewed Campen about MNPs and his groundbreaking publication on MNP accumulation in humans.
  

• Extramural Paper of the Month: Natural Materials Can Remove Uranium and Arsenic from Water
  Paper of the Month - March 2024
  A new approach developed by researchers at the University of New Mexico Superfund Research Program (SRP) Center combines limestone and a bone-like mineral called hydroxyapatite to remove arsenic and uranium from water.
  

• Partnering With Indigenous Communities to Improve Tribal Health
  SRP News Page - September 2023
  Johnnye Lewis, director of the University of New Mexico Superfund Research Center, researches the Tribal health implications of exposures to environmental pollutants, particularly those from hardrock mining activity.
  

• University of New Mexico & University of Iowa: Electrospun Polymers for Uranium Detection
  Technology Profile - September 2023
  Researchers at the University of New Mexico and University of Iowa Superfund Research Program (SRP) centers created an improved electrospun nanofiber technology to detect uranium in contaminated water.
  

• Tackling Environmental Health Problems from Many Angles
  Environmental Factor - July 2023
  Current and upcoming research to address complex environmental health issues related to hazardous contaminants and more, headlined the recent NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) Progress in Research webinar series. Over the course of four sessions in April and May, the series highlighted 11 new and renewed SRP multiproject centers funded in 2022.
  

• Paper of the Month: Environmental Degradation May Increase Microplastics' Toxicity
  Environmental Factor - June 2023
  Environmental factors, such as ultraviolet (UV) light, can alter the chemistry of miniscule plastic fragments, potentially increasing their toxicity on lung cells, according to a University of New Mexico SRP Center study.
  

• SRP Highlighted at SOT
  SRP News Page - April 2023
  NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP)-funded scientists from across the country gathered in person for the 2023 Society of Toxicology (SOT) Annual Meeting to share their research and exchange ideas. Held March 19 - 23 in Nashville, Tennessee, the 62nd SOT meeting and ToxExpo drew more than 5,000 attendees who gave more than 2,000 presentations and participated in more than 70 sessions.
  

• Increasing Indigenous Health Literacy Through Visual Arts
  SRP News Page - March 2023
  Artist Mallery Quetawki combines her visual art skills, biology and healthcare background, and Indigenous knowledge to improve environmental health literacy among American Indian Tribes. A member of the Pueblo of Zuni Tribe in New Mexico, Quetawki has collaborated on environmental health outreach projects using art with the University of New Mexico (UNM) SRP Center. She currently serves as the artist-in-residence for the UNM College of Pharmacy s Community Environmental Health Program (CEHP).
  

• Former SRP Trainee Featured in NIEHS Global Environmental Health Newsletter
  SRP News Page - February 2022
  Cherie De Vore, Ph.D., a former trainee with the University of New Mexico SRP Center, explained how her mechanistic research on metal contaminants in the environment is grounded in her Dine identity.
  

• Scientists design risk communication strategies to improve health
  Environmental Factor - November 2021
  At NIEHS Superfund Research Program event, hundreds learned about tailoring public messages related to environmental risk.
  

• Artist uses tribal symbolism, traditions to communicate science
  Environmental Factor - November 2021
  NIEHS Superfund Research Program scientists work with local painter to share findings, public health messages with Native Americans.
  

• Better risk communication can reduce harmful exposures, experts say
  Environmental Factor - July 2021
  NIEHS grantees, partners, and colleagues came together to discuss how they have engaged with local groups and communicated potential health risks to reduce exposures and improve health. Hosted by the NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) June 21-22, the online workshop drew more than 200 participants.