Project Summary (2013-2021)

Naturally occurring and anthropogenic pollutants adversely affect human health and ecosystems worldwide. Knowledge from health-related research is not utilized to its maximum potential unless it is effectively communicated in an understandable manner to health professionals, government regulatory agencies, industry and other stakeholders. The MSU Research Translation Core (RTC) believes that effective bidirectional communication between research scientists and end users of research findings improves the research being conducted by scientists, provides more relevant information for regulatory agencies, enhances the overall benefits of this research and will ultimately lead to the best possible solutions to existing complex environmental problems.

The MSU RTC serves as a bidirectional bridge for disseminating information, technology-transfer and coordinating educational activities between the MSU Superfund Program, which is focused on the toxicology and environmental fate of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds (DLC), and key regional stakeholders. These stakeholders that have been tasked with finding solutions and responding to issues surrounding environmental contamination by dioxin and dioxin-like compounds within the Michigan Tri-Cities include the Michigan Department Environment Quality (MDEQ), Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA), United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Region 5, the Sediment Management Working Group (SMWG) and the Midland and Flint Regional Campuses of Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. This aforementioned consortium of stakeholders provides a unique opportunity for scientists from government, industry and academia to work together on solutions to complex environmental problems surrounding dioxin and DLC presently facing the state of Michigan.

Toward this end, the RTC will use well-established communication tools, through partnerships with government and industry, by transferring technology to external stakeholders, and by providing educational resources to key stakeholders.

Knowledge from health-related research is not utilized to its maximum potential unless it is effectively communicated in an understandable manner to health professionals, government regulatory agencies, industry, the community, and other stakeholders. The Research Translation Core facilitates the flow of information between basic-science being conducted by the MSU Superfund Program and key stakeholders to minimize the health hazards of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds to humans and the environment.