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February 9, 2024 (Issue 241) |
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Presenting at SOT? Let SRP Staff Know!
Let SRP staff know if your trainees or investigators plan to present at the Society of Toxicology (SOT) Annual Meeting, to be held March 10-14 in Salt Lake City, Utah. If applicable, please include poster numbers, dates, and times. Please submit each of your center’s consolidated information to srpinfo@mail.nih.gov by February 28.
Low-Cost Technology Cleans Up Contaminated Sites
An updated SRP Public Health Impact story describes a technology, developed with funding from SRP, that can immobilize and degrade polychlorinated biphenyls in aquatic environments. Activated carbon in the form of specialized pellets binds to PCBs and reduces their bioavailability or uptake by fish and other aquatic organisms.
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NIEHS SRP News Stories
Take a moment to read about some of our colleagues' latest activities in this month's Environmental Factor, the NIEHS newsletter:
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Grant Recipients Create Framework to Report Back Environmental Health Results: NIEHS-funded researchers, including Julie Brody of the PROTECT SRP Center, have created a new framework to help scientists responsibly share study findings about potential exposures to participants.
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Zebrafish Represent Key Piece to Toxicology Puzzle: In an interview, Robyn Tanguay, director of the Oregon State University (OSU) SRP Center, discusses how zebrafish can reveal important insights into environmental exposures and the ways they affect biology.
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Scientific journeys: From Preventive Medicine to Environmental Health Sciences: Director of the Columbia SRP Center, Ana Navas-Acien, described her journey to uncover the link between exposure to metals and cardiovascular disease, and the interdisciplinary nature of environmental health.
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Culinary-inspired Technique Removes Arsenic from Water: NIEHS-funded researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health SRP Center developed a new approach, inspired by a cooking technique, to improve the ability of carbon-based filters to remove arsenic from drinking water.
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New Microscope Helps Count Zebrafish Cells: Using a newly developed microscope, North Carolina State University (NCSU) SRP Center researchers have optimized a rapid method to count labeled cells in zebrafish larvae.
Visit the SRP page for more stories about the program:
University of New Mexico Featured in the News
Johnnye Lewis, former director of the University of New Mexico (UNM) SRP Center, was featured in Scientific American for her work on abandoned mines on tribal lands with Indigenous research partners.
ABC news interviewed UNM researcher Chris Shuey about contamination from nuclear arms development in Native American lands and how Indigenous communities and their groundwater are at risk of contamination. Shuey and fellow UNM researcher, Teracita Keyanna, were also interviewed by ABC news to discuss Navajo Nation members’ concern about adverse health effects that may be linked to contaminants in their land.
Diabetes Care published UNM SRP Center's Artist in Residence, Mallery Quetawki's, original painting, "Adulthood," as the cover artwork for Volume 46 Issue 12. The journal also featured her story as a Zuni artist-in-residence on their About the Artist section of the magazine.
Hoppin Talks PFAS
Jane Hoppin, researcher at the North Carolina State University (NCSU) SRP Center, discussed her study on people living near the Cape Fear River Basin and their exposure to PFAS with CityView Magazine. Hoppin was also quoted in an Atlanta News First article about further PFAS testing after a study revealed blood levels higher than the national median in residents of a town in Georgia.
Lohmann Interviewed in the Media
Rainer Lohmann, director of the University of Rhode Island (URI) SRP Center, was featured on PBS to discuss persistent organic pollutants, the current regulatory landscape, and what individuals can do to limit exposure. Lohmann was also interviewed by Vermont Public Radio to discuss PFAS in landfill leachate treatment.
University of California, Berkeley Scientist Discusses Wastewater Transformation
NPR featured David Sedlak, researcher at the University of California (UC), Berkeley SRP Center, to discuss California’s plan to transform wastewater into drinking water.
TAMU Researcher Interviewed on Threats to Public Health Workers
Jennifer Horney, researcher at the Texas A&M University (TAMU) SRP Center, was featured in the Medical Press to discuss her longitudinal study on personal and political threats to public health workers across the first 12 months of the COVID-19 pandemic response.
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Studying VOCs and Vascular Inflammation
This month we spoke with Breandon Taylor, a trainee at the University of Louisville SRP Center who is mentored by Sanjay Srivastava.
What is the focus of your research at the UNM SRP Center?
My studies are aimed to examine the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which volatile organic compound (VOC) exposure regulates vascular inflammation, especially in atherosclerosis, the leading cause of most cardiovascular disease and stroke.
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How did you become interested in this work?
I’ve always had a keen interest in the natural sciences and how the world around us shapes human health. We are exposed to many chemicals throughout our daily lives, and unfortunately many impoverished communities are disproportionately subject to this. I really became interested in this work when I realized that my contribution through research could provide a positive impact to the wellbeing of my community, as well as others on a larger scale.
Tell us about the poster award you received at the latest SRP Annual Meeting and what it meant to you.
Receiving the award for best biomedical research poster presentation at the 2023 SRP Annual Meeting was a very humbling and rewarding experience. It is particularly satisfying and motivating to learn that leaders in the field appreciated my research.
What factors have contributed most to your growth as a researcher throughout your time as an SRP trainee?
I’ve really appreciated the intellectual and material resources, especially the cutting-edge technologies, available at the University of Louisville Superfund Research Center for my project. Additionally, my K.C. Donnelly externship experience at Louisiana State University (LSU) accelerated my independence and growth as a developing researcher.
What is one piece of advice that you have for other SRP trainees?
Challenge yourself and be enterprising. Great things can come from your willingness to bounce ideas off of your mentors and peers.
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Land Use and Onsite/Offsite Determinations
The “Determining Land Use and Onsite/Offsite Determinations” webinar course provides an overview of land use determinations under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. The webinar will be held February 20, 1:00-3:00 PM ET.
Novel Research on In-Situ PFAS Adsorptive Technologies
This webinar, taking place February 22 at 1:00 PM ET, will feature research efforts to develop adsorptive technologies for PFAS removal and immobilization.
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Prenatal Benzene Exposure May Have Sex-Specific Effects on Gene Expression in Zebrafish
Prenatal exposure to the environmental contaminant benzene may have dose- and sex-dependent effects on several gene pathways in the brain and gonads, or sex organs, of adult zebrafish, according to research partly funded by SRP at Wayne State University. Because zebrafish and humans share certain genes, these findings may point to ways that prenatal benzene exposure affects humans.
First, the team immersed zebrafish embryos in water with low or high levels of benzene. They also placed a control group in water without benzene. After five days, they rinsed all embryos with water and allowed them to grow past sexual maturity in a tank of water. Next, the team extracted brain and gonad tissue from five male and five female fish from the control and experimental groups.
The researchers sequenced RNA from the tissues to analyze the zebrafishes’ transcriptome, the set of all RNA molecules coded by an organism’s genome. By comparing transcriptomes, they could determine if prenatal benzene exposure increased or decreased the expression of certain genes.
The team found that exposure to benzene during development affected the expression, or activation, of certain genes related to neurological development and disorders, reproductive ability, and cancer outcomes in both male and female zebrafish, regardless of benzene exposure level.
Within the low-benzene group, males showed more genes expression changes in gonad tissue, while females had more gene expression changes in brain tissue. However, in the high-benzene group, males demonstrated more gene expression changes than females in gonad and brain tissue alike.
The findings indicate that sex-dependent effects are associated with benzene exposure, even at low environmental levels, according to the authors. The study may also provide insight into long-term effects of benzene on human health and disease, they added.
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LSU Researcher Awarded Grant
LSU SRP Center researcher Dwan Vilcins was awarded a National Health and Medical Research Council 2023 Ideas Grant to continue studying the lung function impacts of environmentally persistent free radicals that penetrate homes.
UC Berkeley Trainee Named in Forbes 30 under 30
UC Berkeley SRP Center trainee, Iemaan Rana, has been recognized on Forbes 30 under 30 (Science), 2024 North America for her research on environmental determinants of health.
UNM Researcher Awarded
Katherine Zychowski, a researcher at the UNM SRP Center, was awarded the UNM-HSC Junior Faculty Research Excellence 2023 award for her research on air pollution, dust, and inflammation.
NCSU Trainee Receives Honorable Mention
NCSU SRP Center trainee, Hannah Starnes, received a Graduate Honorable Mention award for the College of Sciences Student Excellence Awards.
MIT SRP Director Wins Award
Bevin Engelward, director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) SRP Center, received the Hollaender Award, one of only two faculty awards given by the Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society. This award recognizes outstanding contributions in the application of the principles and techniques of environmental mutagenesis and genomics to the protection of human health.
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Undergraduate Research Education Program to Enhance Diversity in the Environmental Health Sciences
What: Support educational activities that encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, to pursue further studies or careers in research.
Funder: NIEHS
When: Applications are due February 14.
Short Courses to Promote the Broad and Rigorous Use of Common Fund Data
What: Supports educational activities that complement or enhance the training of a workforce to meet the nation’s biomedical, behavioral and clinical research needs. This funding opportunity will support educational activities with a primary focus on courses for skills development and mentoring activities.
Funder: NIH
When: Applications are due February 14.
21st Annual People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) National Student Design Competition
What: Develop and demonstrate solutions to environmental and public health challenges of people across the U.S., including those in small, rural, Tribal, and underserved communities. P3 highlights the use of scientific principles in creating innovative technology-based projects that achieve the mutual goals of improved quality of life, economic prosperity and environmental protection.
Funder: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
When: Applications are due February 21.
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship
What: Enable promising predoctoral students to obtain individualized, mentored research training from outstanding faculty sponsors while conducting dissertation research in scientific health-related fields. The proposed research training must reflect the candidate’s dissertation research project and is expected to clearly enhance the individual’s potential to develop into a productive, independent research scientist.
Funder: NIH
When: Applications are due April 8.
Multi-sectoral Preventive Interventions that Address Social Determinants of Health in Populations that Experience Health Disparities
What: Supports projects to test prospective multi-sectoral preventive interventions that address social determinants of health in populations that experience health disparities. These research projects will be part of the Multi-Sectoral Preventive Interventions Research Network, which will also include a Coordinating Center.
Funder: NIH
When: Applications are due August 5.
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Data Analysis and Integration for Wearable Silicone Wristband Research
Researchers from OSU utilized data from three studies, including over 600 wristbands, to detail wristband data properties. They discussed considerations in common statistical modeling methods, integration of data from multiple studies, and challenging aspects of machine learning, meta-analysis, and data integration.
Comment on the NIH Strategic Plan for Data Science 2023-2028
The NIH seeks public input on its updated Strategic Plan for Data Science (2023-2028) through a 90-day Request for Information (RFI). The plan aims to leverage healthcare and research data for advancements in biology, clinical treatments, and diagnostics. Stakeholders, including the scientific community and the public, are invited to provide feedback on goals, strategies, partnership opportunities, emerging research needs, and other relevant topics. The complete draft plan is available for review, and voluntary responses reflecting organizational or individual perspectives are encouraged. Respond by March 15.
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 The Education Outreach Team at the UC Berkeley SRP Center hosted an Environmental Health/Justice workshop at McClymonds High School in Oakland on December 7. The workshop for computer science students introduced environmental health and justice concepts, provided hands-on experience using tools such as GIS, helped students learn how to develop research questions, and introduced students to potential career paths. (Photo courtesy of UC Berkeley SRP)
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NIEHS Staff Scientist Position
The Reproduction and Developmental Biology Laboratory is recruiting a staff scientist for the Pregnancy and Female Reproduction Group under Francesco DeMayo. The group uses molecular genetics, bioinformatics, cell culture, and animal models to the molecular mechanisms governing female reproductive tract function during pregnancy.
EPA Postdoctoral Opportunity
EPA’s Ecosystem Condition Branch seeks a postdoctoral fellow. This role will focus on development, enhancement, and operational transition of national models for forecasting freshwater harmful cyanobacteria blooms and seagrass habitat change, combined with emerging remote sensing technologies.
Postdoctoral Position at Stanford University
The Kim Laboratory at Stanford University seeks a post-doctoral research associate with a background in toxicology. The prospective candidate will investigate the genomic basis of coronary artery disease and related complex diseases, with emphasis on identifying mechanism and modifiers of response to known toxicants leading to vascular disease, including tobacco, vaping, and air pollution.
Two Openings with the California Air Resources Board
California’s Air Resources Board is looking for a Climate Investment Outreach Specialist to support the Climate Investments Branch. This team is responsible for implementing the California Climate Investments program.
They are also seeking applicants for a Nature-Based Strategies Technical Lead within the Natural and Working Lands, which leads the integration of natural systems into California’s overall carbon neutrality and climate action efforts.
Department of Transportation Positions
The U.S. Department of Transportation is seeking Environmental Protection Specialists to support their agency, as well as the Federal Highway Administration. Work will involve collaborations with other environmental protection specialists integrating environmental considerations into decision-making processes and preparing environmental documentation regarding proposed actions.
UCLA Seeking Assistant Professor
The UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences is inviting applicants for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position with an emphasis in environmental health policy. They are looking for applicants who utilize community-based participatory approaches, implementation science, and other applied methods to undertake research to reduce the health impacts of environmental exposures and advance environmental justice and health equity.
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Partnerships for Environmental Public Health 2024 Meeting
February 20-22, 2024
Durham, North Carolina
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Affordable and Workforce Housing Development on Former Brownfield Sites
February 26, 2024
Virtual
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Microplastics Webinar
February 27, 2024
Virtual
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Recent Advances in PFAS Characterization Technologies
February 28, 2024
Virtual
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ITRC PFAS Introductory Training
February 29, 2024
Virtual
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Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting & ToxExpo
March 10-14, 2024
Salt Lake City, Utah
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Environmental Data Management (EDM): Best Practices for Achieving and Maintaining Quality within Environmental Data Management
March 19, 2024
Virtual
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Use of Wearables and Sensors for Exposomic, Occupational and Environmental Health Research
April 19, 2024
Mount Sinai, New York
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Need to get in touch with an NIEHS SRP staff member? Check out our Contact Staff page. |
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JOIN THE @SRP_NIEHS KNOWLEDGE NETWORK!
NIEHS uses X (formerly Twitter), a popular social media tool, for information sharing through tweets. Many SRP Centers also have accounts, and it would be great if all participated! Follow @SRP_NIEHS to instantly hear news about the program, noteworthy publications, events, and job opportunities for trainees.
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