Superfund Research Program
October 2024
As director of the NIEHS-funded Superfund Research Program (SRP) Center at Louisiana State University (LSU), Stephania Cormier, Ph.D., has prioritized research on the health effects of environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFR), a type of air pollutant. EPFRs are created through burn events, like wildfires or the burning of hazardous waste at Superfund sites.
“For the past 24 years, I’ve been dedicated to understanding how different environmental stressors, particularly air pollution from combustion-derived particulate matter, affect us as we age,” Cormier said.
In addition to dire effects on the lungs generally, Cormier and colleagues have found that exposure to EPFRs increases illness severity and death from COVID-19 specifically. They also found that gestational EPFR exposure may contribute to obesity.
The LSU SRP often pursues research prompted by communities living near Superfund sites in Louisiana, then collaborates with community members. Cormier and her colleagues listen to the communities’ needs, conduct research to address their concerns, then share research findings, so community members can make informed decisions to protect their health.
Read this NIEHS Story of Success to learn more about Cormier and her research.