Superfund Research Program

George collects information from a North Carolina property owner about his well water. George and the UNC SRP team emphasize outreach to rural and under-resourced communities. (Photo courtesy of Andrew George)

As the community engagement coordinator at the University of North Carolina at Chapell Hill (UNC) Superfund Research Program (SRP) Center, Andrew George, Ph.D., is educating rural communities about the health risks of drinking well water contaminated with metals. He also relies on partnerships with community organizations across North Carolina to help under-resourced communities test their wells for free.

“We engage the community in participatory science — we don’t just parachute in and disappear with the research,” George said. “We focus on environmental justice areas that need help, and we communicate our research findings to the community. That’s part of our formula.”

To learn more, see the Grantee Highlight featuring George and his work.