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Your Environment. Your Health.

What's New: Grantee Spotlights

Superfund Research Program

Joseph Hamm
Fostering Trust-Building to Promote Environmental Health
Grantee Spotlights - February 6, 2023

Joseph Hamm, Ph.D., strives to contribute to a deeper, fuller understanding of trust, one that crosses disciplines and helps different groups to work collaboratively toward better outcomes for community health and safety.

Amanda Armijo, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Amanda Armijo Wins 2022 Wetterhahn Award
Grantee Spotlights - January 1, 2023

Amanda Armijo, D.V.M., Ph.D., of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology SRP Center, was selected as the 25th recipient of the Karen Wetterhahn Memorial Award. Armijo received the award December 15 at the SRP Annual Meeting in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she was recognized for her work on tracing how the toxin NDMA damages genes, and how the DNA might repair itself.

Jamaji Nwanaji-Enwerem, M.D., Ph.D., MPP.
Combining Medicine, Environmental Research, and Policy to Reduce Health Disparities
Grantee Spotlights - December 7, 2022

From a very early age, Jamaji Nwanaji-Enwerem, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.P., a former NIEHS SRP-funded postdoctoral fellow, knew he wanted to pursue a career addressing health disparities in the U.S. and abroad.

Elkin Headshot
Chemical Toxicant Contributes to Low Birth Weight, Can Damage Placenta
Grantee Spotlights - November 1, 2022

During an NIEHS lecture Oct. 6, Elana Elkin, Ph.D., a former NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) trainee and recipient of the 2019 Karen Wetterhahn Award, described how a chemical called trichloroethylene (TCE) can interfere with fetal development in the womb.

Top row, from left: Avinash Kumar, Ph.D., and Rebecca Dickman. Middle row, from left: Martine Mathieu, Charlotte Wirth, and Laura Dean, Ph.D. Bottom row, from left: Melissa Woodward and Francisco Leniz
Superfund Research Program Trainees Win Prestigious K.C. Donnelly Awards
Grantee Spotlights - October 1, 2022

Seven trainees with the NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) have earned K.C. Donnelly Externship Award Supplements. Named for longtime SRP grantee Kirby “K.C.” Donnelly, the funding enables graduate students and postdoctoral researchers to learn techniques relevant to their work from experts at outside institutions.

U.S. map highlighting the location of each of the 8 returning P42 SRP centers.
SRP Welcomes New and Returning Multiproject Centers
Grantee Spotlights - September 27, 2022

The NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) welcomes 11 new and returning multiproject centers.

Kirsten Reid and Anna Kremer
SRP Summer Interns Shine at NIEHS Poster Competition
Grantee Spotlights - September 20, 2022

SRP summer interns Anna Kremer and Kirsten Reid presented their summer research projects in a virtual poster showcase along with interns and trainees from across NIEHS on July 28.

Andres Cardenas, Ph.D., head shot
Combining Biostatics and Genomics Research to Prevent Disease
Grantee Spotlights - September 9, 2022

Andres Cardenas, Ph.D., of the University of California (UC), Berkeley SRP Center explained how is applying his epigenetics expertise to investigate how environmental exposures contribute to the development of diseases, and how to prevent them.

Johnnye Lewis, Ph.D., head shot
Tribal Environmental Health Strengthened by Lewis and Team
Grantee Spotlights - September 5, 2022

For nearly three decades, Johnnye Lewis, Ph.D., has advanced Native American health by combining basic research, population-level studies, clear science communication, and robust partnerships with tribes.

Joel Meyer, Ph.D.
Toxic Agents Can Target Mitochondria, Influence Disease, Expert Says
Grantee Spotlights - August 10, 2022

Joel Meyer, Ph.D., of the Duke University SRP Center, discussed his research into how early-life mitochondrial toxicity can affect later-life health, during his NIEHS Keystone Science Lecture.

Karlatta Chief, adorned in Native American jewelery with a smile
Partnering with Tribal Communities to Protect Water from Pollution and Climate Change
Grantee Spotlights - July 1, 2022

Karletta Chief, Ph.D., of the University of Arizona SRP Center, explained how her interest in water stemmed from growing up within Navajo nation.

Kathleen Gray, Ph.D.
Improving Environmental Risk Communication Through Interdisciplinary Collaborations
Grantee Spotlights - May 19, 2022

Kathleen Gray, Ph.D., of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) SRP Center talked about her passion for increasing understanding of environmental exposures in communities affected by contamination.

Mike Denison, Ph.D.
Remembering Mike Denison, Longtime SRP Grantee
Grantee Spotlights - May 13, 2022

Environmental toxicologist Michael (Mike) Denison, Ph.D., of the University of California (UC), Davis, who was internationally known for his fundamental research on persistent organic pollutants and for developing a widely used test for detecting toxic substances in samples, died March 22 of brain cancer. A longtime grantee of the NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP), Denison served as a project leader for more than 25 years.

Tiffany Sanchez, Ph.D.
Uncovering the Link Between Metals and Disease
Grantee Spotlights - April 19, 2022

Tiffany Sanchez, Ph.D., a former trainee at the Columbia University SRP Center, reflected on her experience as a trainee working with large cohorts, or groups of participants, to understand the connections between metal exposures and disease.

Stefano Monti, Ph.D.
Preventing Disease Through Bioinformatics
Grantee Spotlights - April 19, 2022

Stefano Monti, Ph.D., explained how he is developing computational models for environmental contaminants to predict their long-term health effects, such as cancer and metabolic disorders. Since 2012, Monti led the Bioinformatics and Molecular Modeling Core at the Boston University SRP Center.

Danielle Carlin, Ph.D.
SRP Shines at SOT
Grantee Spotlights - April 14, 2022

NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) grantees from across the country gathered in person and virtually for the 2022 Society of Toxicology (SOT) Annual Meeting, held March 27-31 in San Diego. The meeting highlighted diverse, cutting-edge research.

Veena Antony, M.D.
Advancing Environmental Justice Through Research and Outreach
Grantee Spotlights - March 4, 2022

University of Alabama at Birmingham SRP Center Director Veena Antony, M.D., described her work to improve lung health in residents near a local Superfund site.

Keri Hornbuckle, Ph.D.
Exposure to Airborne PCBs an Ongoing Challenge, Expert Says
Grantee Spotlights - March 1, 2022

Approaches for studying airborne exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls, and helping communities reduce such exposure, were discussed by University of Iowa Superfund Research Program Director Keri Hornbuckle, Ph.D., during her February 4 Keystone Science Lecture.

Celia Chen, Ph.D.
Leveraging Partners Across Disciplines and Continents
Grantee Spotlights - February 18, 2022

A feature on Dartmouth College SRP Center Director Celia Chen, Ph.D., explains how she is leveraging decades of research on Mercury to better understand how people are exposed to per and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Mónica Ramírez-Andreotta, Ph.D.
Engaging Communities to Improve Well-being
Grantee Spotlights - February 17, 2022

Monica Ramirez-Andreotta, Ph.D., from the University of Arizona SRP Center, shared her experience engaging communities in science and her journey from SRP trainee to SRP researcher.

Elsie Sunderland, Ph.D
Complexities of PFAS Research Focus of Congressional Hearing
Grantee Spotlights - February 1, 2022

Complexities of studying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were shared by SRP grantees and other experts during a congressional hearing. Witnesses discussed how increased research and development can better inform regulation and strengthen methods for cleaning up PFAS in the environment.

Cherie De Vore, Ph.D.
Former SRP Trainee Featured in NIEHS Global Environmental Health Newsletter
Grantee Spotlights - February 1, 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.

systems approach graphic
Annual SRP Meeting Highlights Collaboration and Innovation to Address Emerging Challenges
Grantee Spotlights - January 5, 2022

The annual meeting to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) was held as an abbreviated virtual event December 16, 2021. Drawing over 400 attendees from across the U.S., the meeting highlighted how SRP's dedication to innovation and collaboration across scientific fields can tackle emerging challenges.

Molly Frazar
Effort to remove PFAS from water earns grad student Wetterhahn Award
Grantee Spotlights - January 1, 2022

The NIEHS Superfund Research Program bestowed the honor on Molly Frazar, from the University of Kentucky.

Graphic with lock and internet symbol representing cybersecurity
Uncovering a Link Between Chemicals in Dust and Disease
Grantee Spotlights - December 17, 2021

Duke SRP Center Co-Director Heather Stapleton, Ph.D., described her research to understand the harmful chemical exposures that people may encounter in their homes and how they affect health.

Juan Parras
Organizing Community Voices to Achieve Environmental Equity, Justice, and Resilience
Grantee Spotlights - September 29, 2021

Juan Parras described his partnership with the SRP Centers at Texas A&M University and the Baylor College of Medicine through the Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (t.e.j.a.s.).

Brown SRP trainees, researchers, and community members take safety precautions during community volunteer days.
Trainees Get Creative During the Pandemic
Grantee Spotlights - July 21, 2021

When in-person events, classes, and research activities were put on hold due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP)-funded trainees got creative and identified unique opportunities to pursue safely during the pandemic. With support from their mentors, SRP trainees gained experience across multiple scientific fields, conducted research in a collaborative environment, and engaged with diverse stakeholders and community members.

Diana Rohlman, Ph.D
Innovating Environmental Health Communication
Grantee Spotlights - June 22, 2021

Former Oregon State University (OSU) SRP Center trainee Diana Rohlman, Ph.D., discussed creative approaches for culturally sensitive community engagement and research translation.

SOT Virtual Meeting poster
SRP Impresses at Virtual SOT
Grantee Spotlights - April 19, 2021

NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP)-funded researchers from all over the country tuned in for the virtual 2021 Society of Toxicology (SOT) Annual Meeting and ToxExpo on March 16-26. More than 60 SRP project leaders and trainees from more than 13 SRP Centers gave oral and poster presentations.

drawing of a human figure in silhouette inside a circle with images of the enviromnent and scientific illustrations filling sections of the circle
SRP Grantees Share Innovative Science at Microbiome Conference
Grantee Spotlights - April 8, 2021

In an NIEHS virtual symposium, held February 23-24, NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) grantees were well represented within the broader NIEHS community, sharing their efforts to understand the relationship between environmental exposures, the microbiome, and human health.

Angela Gutierrez, Ph.D.
Developing Innovative, Sustainable Technologies to Clean-up Water
Grantee Spotlights - April 7, 2021

Angela Gutierrez, Ph.D., of the University of Kentucky SRP Center shared her journey from SRP trainee to NIEHS small business innovative research grant to develop new strategies to remove contaminants from water.

Morello-Frosch is a professor in the School of Public Health and the Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management at the University of California (UC), Berkeley. She leads the Community Engagement Core at the UC Berkeley SRP Center. (Photo courtesy of the UC Berkeley SRP Center)
Linking Chemical and Nonchemical Mixtures to Health Disparities
Grantee Spotlights - February 5, 2021

Rachel Morello-Frosh, Ph.D., conducts research to understand how social factors, such as inequality and psychological stress, interact with environmental chemical exposures to influence disparities in the health status of different groups.

FAIR principles
Annual Meeting Satellite Workshops Boost Collaboration
Grantee Spotlights - February 1, 2021

Two workshops, held December 16 as part of the first NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) virtual annual meeting, provided forums to delve into data science issues and showcase innovative remediation and detection technologies.

Photograph of Mike Aitken
Remembering Mike Aitken, Esteemed SRP Scholar and Mentor
Grantee Spotlights - October 9, 2020

Michael (Mike) Aitken, Ph.D., professor emeritus of Environmental Sciences and Engineering at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, passed away September 19 after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Aitken served as a project leader and integral part of the UNC Superfund Research Program (SRP) Center for more than 20 years.

Angela Slitt, Ph.D.
SRP Grantees Part of the Conversation on PFAS
Grantee Spotlights - September 3, 2020

A new virtual seminar series is providing an opportunity for researchers to share information on per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The first session of the series, which kicked off on July 31 and included more than 400 participants, featured Angela Slitt, Ph.D., of the NIEHS-funded University of Rhode Island Superfund Research Program Center.

Metals Epigenetics Symposium poster
Symposium Brings Together Metals and Epigenetics Experts
Grantee Spotlights - July 21, 2020

In a virtual symposium, NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) grantees and colleagues shared research findings and discussed leveraging data to learn how metal exposures can lead to epigenetic changes.

Dora Taggart
Moving Monitoring Tools from the Lab to the Marketplace
Grantee Spotlights - June 8, 2020

NIEHS SRP small business grantee Microbial Insights is taking the next steps to commercialize its tools that monitor the break down of environmental contaminants. The company was one of 23 small businesses selected to participate in the 2020 Innovation Corps (I-Corps) at NIH, an eight-week intensive program that teaches researchers how to accelerate commercialization of their products.

U.S. maps showing locations of returning certers at Louisiana State University, University of Kentucky, University of Arizona, Oregon State University, University of Iowa, and Northeastern University, as wel as University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Harvard University, Baylor College of MEdicine, North CArolina State University, and University of Alabama at Birmingham.
SRP Welcomes New and Returning Multiproject Centers
Grantee Spotlights - April 24, 2020

The SRP welcomes 11 new and returning multiproject Centers. SRP Centers consist of several projects and cores, designed to address research questions that contribute to the Center's overall research focus. These NIEHS-funded grants are the mainstay of the program, where transdisciplinary teams of scientists and engineers working in different fields tackle complex but targeted problems in environmental health.

Bill Suk, Prarthana Shankar, Zunwei Chen, and Shuai Xie
2019 Annual Meeting Celebrates Trainees
Grantee Spotlights - December 11, 2019

The Superfund Research Program (SRP) Annual Meeting, held November 18 – 20 in Seattle, brought together SRP researchers, trainees, administrators, and partners to share findings and discuss research and training. The meeting centered on "Data to Knowledge to Action" and emphasized how fundamental research has stimulated knowledge translation, training, and prevention and intervention activities. SRP is a program of NIEHS.

Jitka Becanova, Ph.D., standing in front of her poster
SRP Presented New Research at PFAS Meeting
Grantee Spotlights - September 9, 2019

Superfund Research Program (SRP) grantees from around the country gathered August 12 - 15 to discuss per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry's North America Focused Topic Meeting in Durham, North Carolina.

Researchers at the University of New Mexico study how dust from abandoned uranium mines travels in the environment and affects human health.
SRP Research Highlighted at Drought Summit
Grantee Spotlights - July 16, 2019

Danielle Carlin, Ph.D., program administrator with the Superfund Research Program (SRP), presented drought-related research from SRP Centers during the National Drought & Public Health Summit in Atlanta, Georgia, June 17.

Ivan Rusyn, Ph.D.
Rusyn Receives Inaugural University Professorship, Names it After K.C. Donnelly
Grantee Spotlights - June 19, 2019

Ivan Rusyn, Ph.D., director of the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Superfund Research Program (SRP) Center, became one of the first five TAMU faculty members to be awarded the title of University Professor. This honor recognizes scholars who have demonstrated significant accomplishments in their field. Rusyn specializes in analyzing the combined effects of multiple chemicals on human health and leads the TAMU SRP Center, which focuses on addressing exposure to mixtures during environmental emergency-related contamination events.

Steven Chow, Michelle Lorah, Edward Bouwer, and Heather Henry
SRP Represents at International Battelle Symposium
Grantee Spotlights - June 5, 2019

Superfund Research Program (SRP) researchers were on hand at the Battelle Fifth International Symposium on Bioremediation and Sustainable Environmental Technologies to discuss advances in green and sustainable approaches to clean up hazardous waste sites. The conference provided a forum for sharing research results, practical experiences, and opportunities in the field, including advances in bioremediation, or the cleanup of contaminants using microorganisms.

Jerry Schnoor, Ph.D
Jerry Schnoor Receives 2019 ACS Award for Innovative Plant-Based Cleanup Advances
Grantee Spotlights - May 2, 2019

Jerry Schnoor, Ph.D., a University of Iowa Superfund Research Program (SRP) Center project leader, received the American Chemical Society (ACS) Award for Creative Advances in Environmental Science and Technology during the ACS Spring 2019 National Meeting, held March 31 - April 4 in Orlando, Florida.

Gardiner collects water samples
STEEP Highlighted in Nature News Feature
Grantee Spotlights - February 20, 2019

University of Rhode Island Superfund Research Program (SRP) Sources, Transport, Exposure, and Effects of PFASs (STEEP) Center researchers were featured in a story in Nature about their efforts to measure poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in water and to understand their movement in the environment and impacts on human health.

Monica Ramirez-Andreotta, Ph.D.
Ramirez-Andreotta Receives 2019 AAAS Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science
Grantee Spotlights - February 14, 2019

Monica Ramirez-Andreotta, Ph.D., assistant professor in the department of soil, water, and environmental science at the University of Arizona (UA), is the winner of the 2019 Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science, presented by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Ramirez-Andreotta is the leader of the UA Superfund Research Program (SRP) Center Research Translation Core and Training Core.

Robert Wright speaking to an audience.
SRP Researchers Share Findings at Exposome Conference
Grantee Spotlights - January 28, 2019

Current and former Superfund Research Program (SRP) researchers described their work and learned from others as part of the New York City Exposome Symposium Nov 2 - 3. The symposium delved into innovative approaches in exposomics, the study of how the complex mix of nutritional, chemical, and social environments shapes human health throughout the lifespan.

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