2023 Events

November

NOVEMBER 1 – RETCC: EPA Webinar Opportunity for Tribal College & University Students

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is partnering with the Indian Health Service (IHS) to host a webinar for Tribal College and University students on November 1, 2023 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET. Come learn about EPA and IHS’ role in protecting human health and the environment and exciting and rewarding career opportunities in or near Indian country and throughout the U.S. Click HERE to register.

NOVEMBER 3 – RETCC: Introduction to Research Data Repositories: Finding a Home for Your Data

Join RETCC on November 3 between 10-12 pm EDT for a webinar on Research Data Repositories. Have you recently found yourself in the process of submitting a manuscript for publication, only to be confused by a request to upload your data to a repository for public access? Have you applied for grant funding that specifies data sharing as one of the terms of award? This workshop will introduce the topic of data repositories – what they are, what they should be used for, and how to find an appropriate one for your data. We will also introduce the Dryad Data Repository, NC State’s local solution for data sharing. Click HERE for more information.

NOVEMBER 3 – Human Health Exposure Analysis Resource (HHEAR) Webinar

The Human Health Exposure Analysis Resource (HHEAR) is hosting a series of webinars on several topics important to exposomics, a rapidly evolving approach in the contemporary biomedical sciences, which involves characterizing the totality of exposures and their effects on our health since conception.

The twelfth webinar in this series will take place Thursday, November 9, at 3 p.m. ET. Carolyn Mattingly, PhD, of North Carolina State University and Antony Williams, PhD, of the Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, United States Environmental Protection Agency, will discuss how biomedical knowledge bases can help us understand the link between environmental exposures and health.

Knowledge bases are an essential resource in exposomics research. In this webinar, Dr. Carolyn Mattingly and Dr. Antony Williams will discuss how knowledge bases such as the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database and The EPA Computational Toxicology (CompTox) Chemicals Dashboard can be utilized for advancing exposomics research. Click HERE to register.

NOVEMBER 6 – RETCC: NC State 3MT Competition

An 80,000 word thesis would take 9 hours to present. Your time limit…3 minutes. Your prize…up to $1,000. The 9th annual Three Minute Thesis competition will take place on Nov. 6 at the Duke Energy Hall in Hunt Library from 3-5 pm. Click HERE for more information.

NOVEMBER 7 – FRTR Fall 2023 General Meeting: Recent Advances in PFAS Characterization Technologies

Webinar: 8:00AM-5:00PM EST. The science and technology of site characterization for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has advanced in the five years since FRTR last addressed the topic in 2018. Federal agency budgets for PFAS remediation have grown substantially during this time. As a result, site characterization efforts such as Remedial Investigations, as well as early response actions, are underway at many Federal facilities. Funding for field-scale projects to further advance PFAS characterization technology and methodologies also has increased substantially. Click HERE for more information.

NOVEMBER 7 – Special Seminar on PFAS by Dr. David Lampert

Dr. David Lampert from the Illinois Institute of Technology on Tuesday, November 7 from 9:15-10:00 am EST. Please join us in 3301 Fitts-Woolard Hall. Dr. Lampert will be presenting on Approaches for Assessment and Remediation of PFAS-Contaminated Sites. The widespread existence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment represents an emerging issue due to their stability, bioaccumulation potential, and risks to human and ecological well-being. Areas where PFAS have been released into the environment now pose bioaccumulation risks. One approach for risk reduction is to contain the contamination in-situ to prevent exposure. This presentation will present ongoing research into the efficacy of PFAS remediation using sediment capping technologies and other research analyzing PFAS migration from contaminated groundwater to surface water. Click HERE for the zoom link.

NOVEMBER 8 – RETCC: PFAS and Diabetes: Links via the Human Metabolome

Join RETCC between 12-1 pm EST for PFAS and Diabetes: Links via the Human Metabolome. Dr. Dania Valvi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health and the Co-director of the MS in Epidemiology program at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Her research is focused on the impacts of the exposome on the initiation and progression of metabolic diseases in childhood and adulthood. Her longitudinal cohort studies leverage novel ‘omics’-based approaches ( e.g., exposomics, metabolomics, genomics) to advance the understanding of disease mechanisms, gene-environment interactions, and the identification of biomarkers for the early detection of environmental disease in multiethnic populations. Click HERE to register and for more information.

NOVEMBER 8 – Tools for PFAS Site Characterization: Session III – Standards, Passive Sampling, and Modeling of PFAS

The NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) is sponsoring a Risk e-Learning webinar series, hosted by CLU-IN, focused on research efforts to develop tools for sampling, monitoring, detecting, and characterizing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. The three-part series will feature SRP-funded researchers and collaborators whose research focuses, in part, on understanding the distribution and fate of PFAS in the environment. The final session in this series will include federal and SRP researchers featuring useful resources that can aid in site characterization, such as PFAS reference materials, libraries, and passive samplers. Click HERE for more information.

NOVEMBER 9 – RETCC: Research Data Management 101

Join RETCC on November 9 in the ITTCLab 1B in DH Hill Library between 1-4 pm EDT for a webinar on Research Data Management. Managing your data and other research projects is an integral skill for researchers, but rarely taught in graduate curricula. Starting a research project is a daunting prospect and many of the decisions you make will have a significant effect on the final quality of your research products. This workshop will provide a framework to understand the decisions that need to be made during the course of a research project. We will provide guidance on best practices and tools available to help you more efficiently manage your research. At the end of the workshop you will create an initial working plan for managing your data you can use for your own research. Click HERE for more information.

NOVEMBER 17-19 – GenX Exposure Study Event – Wilmington, NC

The GenX Exposure Study team will be collecting their next round of samples throughout the Fall. The study team will collect blood and urine samples, height and weight data, and questionnaire data from participants. This is a great opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students and program trainees to get practical field experience. Click HERE for more information.

NOVEMBER 20 – RETCC: Functional Toxicology to Understand Superfund Relevant Chemicals Seminar

Dr. Chris Vulpe will giving a seminar between 4-5 pm EST on Functional Toxicology to Understand Superfund Relevant Chemicals. Dr. Vulpe’s group uses systems level approaches in eukaryotes from yeast to people to identify the functional components that respond to and modulate the consequences of environmental stressors. Most recently, his laboratory is utilizing genome wide and targeted CRISPR screens to understand the mechanisms of toxicity of environmental chemicals, chemotherapeutics, and other exogenous stressors. His group uses functional, genomic, and genetic approaches to provide insight into mechanisms of toxicity in diverse model systems including human models such as human cell culture, organoids, and rodents, as well as ecologically relevant organisms such as Daphnia magna. Click HERE for more information.

NOVEMBER 27 – The Six Classes Concept for Healthier Products, People, and Planet

Arlene Blum, PhD, with the Green Science Policy Institute will be giving a seminar between 12:45 -1:45 pm EST on Tackling Toxics for Healthier Products, People, and Planet. Rather than addressing the tens of thousands of chemicals in everyday products one at a time, the Six Classes approach educates decision makers in government and business about six chemical families containing many of the hazardous substances commonly found in consumer products. Arlene Blum and the Green Science Policy Institute developed this approach so that better choices of chemicals can contribute to healthier products, regrettable substitutions can be avoided, and human and ecological health are protected. Learn how the Institute’s scientific research, policy work, and communication strategy has contributed to preventing the use of flame retardants, PFAS and other harmful chemicals in products worldwide. Click HERE for more information.

NOVEMBER 27 – RETCC: From Science to Policy Workshop (from the CLEAR SRP Center)

The Center for Leadership in Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR) is pleased to invite the campus community to a workshop, “From Science to Policy,” on November 27, from 1 to 2:30 pm EST. The workshop is free and will be both in-person and via Zoom. To register, visit HERE.

CLEAR is a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences center dedicated to understanding and mitigating adverse birth outcomes and serious developmental health problems that have been associated with exposure to volatile organic chemicals. CLEAR aims to provide new methods for assessment, testing and mitigation to help reduce toxic exposures and improve health outcomes, and offer important training for doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows.

NOVEMBER 27 – Breaking Trail: Mountains and Molecules

Duke Energy Hall at 4 pm. Arlene Blum, biophysical chemist, author, and mountaineer has led successful expeditions to Annapurna I and Denali, and walked 2000 miles across the Great Himalaya mountains of Bhutan, Nepal, & India. Her scientific research and policy work with the Green Science Policy Institute protects human health and the global environment from toxic chemicals in everyday products. In this illustrated talk, Blum shares her favorite images and dramatic stories of her climbs of remote and beautiful high peaks as well as scientific research and policy work to reduce the use of harmful chemicals for healthier people and planet. Before her talk, you might want to preview her memoir Breaking Trail: A Climbing Life and the Institutes strategy for a healthier world. Click HERE for more information.

NOVEMBER 29 – PFAS, Sociodemographic Factors and Implications for Communities and Environmental Justice Webinar

On November 29, 2023 at 1 PM ET, the AAAS EPI Center is hosting a panel of experts to discuss the scientific evidence of PFAS exposure and sociodemographic factors, impacts to communities, and the implications for environmental justice. As awareness continues to grow around the negative health effects from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), researchers are working to advance understanding of which communities are most at risk. People may be exposed to different types of PFAS through different routes of exposure including PFAS contaminated drinking water, workplaces, and even diet. In some cases, these exposures may originate from contamination at airports, military sites, industrial facilities, landfills, or wastewater treatment plants. Recent studies have shown that exposure to PFAS can vary with sociodemographic factors, and understanding these factors can help in assessing risk and better addressing community needs. Click HERE to register.

October

OCTOBER 2 – RETCC: Partnering with Tribal Communities to Address Environmental Health Concerns

Rae O’Leary, MPH, RN (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa) and Jill Kessler, MS (Itazipco Lakota) from Missouri Breaks Industries Research, Inc. will be presenting, Partnering with Tribal Communities to Address Environmental Health Concerns. Click HERE for more information.

OCTOBER 3 – Revitalizing Rural Communities: Addressing Contaminated Sites Using the NEW Investment Playbook

Rural community residents and leaders often wish to revitalize their downtowns but do not know where to start or how to pay for the needed planning and infrastructure to move development forward. Written through the lens of rural Appalachia, the revitalization approaches described in the Downtown Revitalization Playbook can be used by small communities across the United States. Rural downtowns often include properties with contaminant concerns, including brownfields and Superfund sites. Click HERE for more information.

OCTOBER 6 – Tools for PFAS Site Characterization: Session I – Novel Analytical Chemistry Approaches

The NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) is sponsoring a Risk e-Learning webinar series, hosted by CLU-IN, focused on research efforts to develop tools for sampling, monitoring, detecting, and characterizing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. The three-part series will feature SRP-funded researchers and collaborators whose research focuses, in part, on understanding the distribution and fate of PFAS in the environment. The first session will feature SRP-funded investigators working on innovative methods to classify and/or quantify PFAS compounds. Click HERE for more information.

OCTOBER 13-15 – GenX Exposure Study Event – Fayetteville, NC

OCTOBER 16 – RETCC: Nnamdi Osakwe is Presenting at the Environmental, Water Resources, and Coastal Engineering Seminar Series

Nnamdi Osakwe, Trainee, will be presenting at the Environmental, Water Resources, and Coastal Engineering Seminar Series. Nnamdi will present on Building an Integrated Framework for Environmental Health Modeling: An Environmental Integrity Framework (EIF) Use-Case. Studying the relationship between unique environmental exposures and diseases at varying geographic levels is essential for addressing environmental health/justice needs. The Personalized Environment and Genes Study (PEGS) provides an opportunity to explore the relationship between environmental exposures and diseases with a rich source of self-reported health outcomes and exposure (ExHO) data on thousands of participants. We leverage PEGS data using our novel Environmental Integrity Framework (EIF) to identify key environmental stressors affecting communities at various geographic levels (GLs). We used dimensionality reduction techniques to select stressors per GL. We also leveraged visualization tools to display these stressors across GLs. EIF selected fewer indicators from the set of ExHO data, improving the interpretation of relevant stressors per GL. We also generated visualizations that enhanced our interpretation and identification of relevant (shared and distinct) stressors across GLs. EIF highlights the importance of localizing environmental health screening in targeting relevant stressors impacting communities.

OCTOBER 16 – RETCC: Talk on Writing F31/32 Style Fellowship Grants

Dr. Mike Humble will present a talk at UNC (with a virtual option) on applying for NIH individual fellowships targeted at PhD graduate students and postdocs and we’re excited to additionally invite your trainees to attend. Dr. Humble is a NIEHS PO, working specifically with fellowships, like the F31 and F32, so this provides a great opportunity for trainees to gain insights into the fellowship grant process and ask questions from an individual who has a long history in working with these types of proposals. The talk will be delivered either in person in 3116 Mary Ellen Jones on the UNC campus or via Zoom from 2-3pm. Click HERE for more information.

OCTOBER 17 – RETCC: Writing Research Article Intro

Writing Research Article Introductions (by Dr. Meagan Autry). Tuesday, October 17 from 4-5pm. Via Zoom (click link to join).

OCTOBER 20 – Tools for PFAS Site Characterization: Session II – PFAS Sources and Mapping

The NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) is sponsoring a Risk e-Learning webinar series, hosted by CLU-IN, focused on research efforts to develop tools for sampling, monitoring, detecting, and characterizing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. The three-part series will feature SRP-funded researchers and collaborators whose research focuses, in part, on understanding the distribution and fate of PFAS in the environment. The second session will highlight case studies featuring SRP research to understand PFAS sources and to predict fate and transport. Click HERE for more information.

OCTOBER 23-24 – 2023 Center for PFAS Research Annual Symposium PFAS – Current Knowledge and Applications for Agricultural Production

The 2023 Center for PFAS Research 2nd Annual Symposium will focus on the theme of PFAS: Current Knowledge and Applications for Food Production. The symposium will allow participants to exchange scientific information and discoveries while also discussing PFAS contamination in agricultural systems, transport into crops and livestock, remediation, policy, and emerging issues of PFAS. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about new skills and technologies that may influence the scientific direction, management strategies, and supply chain sectors of PFAS contamination and solutions. Click HERE for more information.

OCTOBER 27 – Global Environmental Health and Environmental Justice Symposium

In this symposium, speakers presented research in the areas of global environmental health and discuss avenues to improve environmental justice. Throughout the presentations and during the panel discussion, the speakers will shed light on lessons learned and future considerations to optimize research in ensuring environmental justice.

This event was *FREE* to attend and open to all. Click HERE for more information and the agenda.

OCTOBER 27-29 – GenX Exposure Study Event – Pittsboro, NC

September

SEPTEMBER 1 – FLUOROS 2023

FLUOROS 2023 is an international symposium on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substance–PFAS and will be held in Idstein, Germany on August 31 – September 1, 2023. Click HERE for more information.

SEPTEMBER 1 – (RETCC) Seminar: Environmental Toxicology for Environmental Quality

Please join us on Friday, September 1, for the first seminar in the Duke Integrated Toxicology & Environmental Health Program’s Fall 2023 Series! Frannie Nilsen, PhD, of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, will present “Environmental Toxicology for Environmental Quality” on Friday, September 1, 12:00-1:15 pm Eastern. In this presentation, Dr. Frannie Nilsen will give an overview of the field of environmental toxicology’s distillation process for environmental regulation and protection. She will include some of the projects that she is involved with that were either designed to support regulatory development or are part of the enforcement of environmental regulations. Click HERE for more information.

SEPTEMBER 7 – PFAS Monitoring Approaches at PFAS-Impacted Sites

SEPTEMBER 8 – Emergence of PFAS as an Environmental Toxicant

University of Rhode Island’s STEEP program will be hosting a lecture on the Emergence of PFAS as an Environmental Toxicant. This lecture will address the delay of crucial information about perfluorinated alkylate substances (PFAS) toxicity and the implications for human health. Recent research has identified adverse effects at lower and lower exposures. While most companies have stopped producing two forms of PFASs— perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)—the chemicals persist in the environment, and new forms of PFASs are raising concerns. The emergence of PFAS illustrates crucial weaknesses of our chemicals control. This event will be livestreamed via YouTube.

SEPTEMBER 8-10 – GenX Exposure Study Event – Wilmington, NC

SEPTEMBER 12 – Toxicology/CHHE Seminar: Mónica Ramírez-Andreotta

Please join Toxicology and CHHE on Tuesday September 12, 2023 at 4:00 pm in the Toxicology Building, room 2104 for a special seminar by Mónica Ramírez-Andreotta, The seminar is entitled “Participatory Research and Design for Environmental Health and Action”. This event is co-sponsored by Environmental Justice Group. Click HERE for more information.

SEPTEMBER 14 – 2023 North Carolina Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting

This meeting’s theme of “Mountains to Coast: The State of Toxicity in North Carolina” will provide insight into toxicological issues that are of particular concern in North Carolina. Meeting attendees will have the opportunity to consider the impact of these areas of toxicity on human health across the state and discuss how we can better leverage different methods and approaches to improve the well-being of North Carolinians. Location: RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC. Click HERE for more information.

SEPTEMBER 14 – ITRC PFAS Introductory Training

This training will include emerging science on PFAS, including topics such as Properties of PFAS, Fate and Transport, Sampling and Analysis, and Treatment Technologies. The technical presentations will be focused on those who are relatively new to PFAS. The training will last approximately 90 minutes and include time for questions. Click HERE for more information.

SEPTEMBER 17-19 – Science Communication Workshop and PANWAT meeting

The OSU and LSU RETCC’s are partnering to offer a unique opportunity for ALL SRP RETCC Trainees to participate in a one-day Science Communication Workshop and also attend the Fall 2023 PANWAT meeting. The combined event will also offer many networking and presentation opportunities for trainees, as well as a mentoring event. Click HERE for more information.

SEPTEMBER 18 – RETCC: 3MT Preparation

Writing Your Talk for the Fall 3MT Competition (Dr. Meagan Autry). Monday, September 18 from 2-3pm in FWH 3361. This workshop is for those interested in competing in the Graduate School’s fall 3MT competition, to be held on Nov. 6 this year.

SEPTEMBER 20 – Rachel Carson’s Legacy in North Carolina: Science Communication and Environmental Justice Advocacy

Please join CHHE and OUIP on Wednesday September 20, 2023 at 3:30 pm in the Plant Sciences Building, Seminar rooms ABC for a special seminar by President and CEO of the Rachel Carson Council Dr. Robert K. Musil,”Rachel Carson’s Legacy in North Carolina: Science Communication and Environmental Justice Advocacy”. This event is co-sponsored by the Office of University Interdisciplinary Programs and CHHE. Click HERE for more information.

SEPTEMBER 21 – Free screening of documentary Burned – Protecting the Protectors

The Libraries will be screening the documentary Burned – Protecting the Protectors tomorrow night (Thursday, September 21) at 7:00 p.m. in the Hill Library auditorium (West Wing, 2nd floor). Burned tells the true story of how the spouse of a firefighter revealed significant exposure to forever chemicals (PFAS) affecting the fire community.

Following the film (29 minute runtime), we are honored to be joined by the film’s director, Elijah Yetter-Bowman, as well as NC State’s Dr. R. Bryan Ormond, assistant professor at NC State’s Textile Protection and Comfort Center, and Katy May, co-director, Center for Human Health and the Environment and Director, Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, for a discussion and Q&A.

The screening is free and open to the public and we hope you will help us by sharing it with others who may be interested. Click HERE for more information.

SEPTEMBER 26 – Toxicology Seminar Series – Graham Peaslee

Dr. Graham Peaslee, Professor – Physics and Astronomy at the University of Notre Dame, will be the guest speaker and will give a seminar on: “Development of a Rapid Screening Method for PFAS in Drinking Water and Consumer Products”. The Toxicology Seminar Series is sponsored by a NIEHS T32 training grant “Molecular Pathways to Pathogenesis in Toxicology’. TGSA Career Exposures, includes a chance for all students to meet with the speaker. Click HERE for more information.

SEPTEMBER 28 – “Identifying Stakeholders” Graduate Student Training Workshop

This graduate student training workshop is designed for students with interest in contributing to interdisciplinary teams that seek solutions to wicked problems, such as climate change. Many wicked problems are situated in socio-ecological systems in which decisions affect groups and individuals in diverse and distinct ways. As such, deriving solutions must include consideration, if not explicit inclusion, of these diverse stakeholders. Employing a climate solutions context, this workshop will provide students with hands-on training to consider the interrelated dimensions within stakeholders analysis and stakeholder identification. Registration is limited to 30 graduate students. Click HERE to register.

SEPTEMBER 28 – 2023 SciREN Triangle Researcher and Educator Open House

Registration is now open for the IN-PERSON 2023 SciREN Triangle Researcher and Educator Open House on Thursday, September 28th, 2023 from 6:00-8:30 PM! This year SciREN will be at the North Carolina Science Museum in Downtown Raleigh. After two years of virtual events, we are really excited to be holding an in-person event! If you have never been involved in SciREN, we are an organization that helps researchers from the Triangle area create lesson plans based on their research and share them with local K-12 educators. Our annual networking event facilitates connections between local scientists and educators with the goal of maximizing exposure to STEM subjects and applied science in the classroom. Please register HERE.

SEPTEMBER 29 – RETCC: Rip Apart a Data Management Plan Workshop

This workshop offered by the Libraries will discuss the basic elements of data management plans, using real examples to demonstrate best practices. The workshop will include hands-on practice improving data management plans in the science and social sciences. You will have opportunities to share your questions and frustrations on writing and executing data management plans, and to get feedback from librarians and peers. Click HERE for more information.

August

AUGUST 11-13 – GenX Exposure Study Event – Wilmington, NC

AUGUST 24 – Developing and Demonstrating PFAS Passive Samplers

The Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) is hosting this webinar related to PFAS monitoring. This SERDP and ESTCP webinar focuses on DoD-funded research efforts to develop and demonstrate PFAS passive samplers. Specifically, investigators will discuss the development and performance of prototype of anion exchange membranes as passive samplers for PFAS, as well as the development of the Sentinel passive sampler and its use for groundwater, surface water, and stormwater monitoring in accordance with EPA 1633. Click HERE to register.

AUGUST 30 – EPA Tools and Resources Training Webinar Series: Methods and Information to Support the Development of Aquatic Life Criteria for PFAS

EPA’s Office of Research and Development hosts a free webinar series, typically held on a quarterly basis on the last Wednesday of the month from 2 to 3 p.m. ET, to share current research activities and results. Through innovative science and engineering, EPA’s researchers are developing cost-effective, sustainable solutions to 21st century complex water issues. The scientific results and innovative technologies developed support EPA’s mandate to protect the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of our Nation’s water resources, and to ensure safe drinking water and water systems. Click HERE for more information.

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 1 – FLUOROS 2023

FLUOROS 2023 is an international symposium on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substance–PFAS and will be held in Idstein, Germany on August 31 – September 1, 2023. Click HERE for more information.

July

JULY 6 – Dissertation Defense, Krystal Taylor, Ph.D. Candidate, Pharmacology and Toxicology

Join Krystal Taylor (Project 2 Trainee) for her Dissertation: Quantifying the impact of PFAS Exposure on B Cell Development and Antibody Production. Click HERE for more information.

JULY 18 – Evaluating Plant Uptake of Chemical Contaminants in Crops Grown Near Urban Gardening Sites for Human Health Risk Assessment

This webinar provides an assessment of the potential exposure routes, plant uptake pathways, and remediation practices of chemicals contaminants found in crops grown in urban gardening sites. This report will focus on both inorganic and organic pollutants that are considered contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) by the U.S. EPA. The presence of several trace elements and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in urban soil media were analyzed on the state-level to quantify the potential contamination risk associated with plant uptake mechanisms by crops commonly grown throughout the various regions of the U.S. CECs exposure routes in urban agriculture (UA) scenarios and associated human health risks are assessed. This report also serves to provide potential remediation methods for polluted urban soils, with an emphasis on affordability, accessibility, and sustainability of the methods. Click HERE to register.

June

JUNE 1 – PFAS Analytic Tools

The PFAS Analytic Tools make it easier to evaluate the collective PFAS information from 11 different databases – the application integrates these datasets into an interactive, web-based software. Users can filter data by PFAS or geographic area, explore application charts and maps, or download and open the files to explore the data. Consolidating all these data sources in one searchable platform will help the public, researchers, and other stakeholders better understand potential PFAS sources in their communities, including potential exposure pathways in communities with environmental justice concerns. This training webinar will provide an overview of the PFAS Analytic Tools and a tutorial on how to use them. Click HERE for more information.

JUNE 4-8 – 71st ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics

The American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) is sponsoring the 71st ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics on June 4-8, 2023 in Houston TX. This event aims to promote and disseminate knowledge and is attended by more than 6,500 scientists. Over 3,000 papers are presented as posters and talks that focus on advancement of techniques and instrumentation in mass spectrometry, as well as fundamental research in chemistry, geology, forensics, biological sciences and physics. Click HERE for more information.

JUNE 21 – EPA Tools and Resources Training Webinar Series: Chemical Risk Assessment for PFAS in Biosolids

EPA’s Office of Research and Development hosts this bimonthly public webinar series to provides in-depth overviews and step-by-step tutorials on popular EPA science-based models and tools. In addition, the EPA Tools and Resources Webinar Series translates EPA research and shares research resources and information that are useful, practical/applied and available to meet stakeholders’ research needs. Click HERE for more information.

May

MAY 2 – Environmental Data Management (EDM): Best Practices for Achieving and Maintaining Quality within Environmental Data Management

The ITRC Environmental Data Management Best Practices Team (EDMBP Team) prepared a series of guidance documents and case studies on best practices for all phases of EDM to address the need for guidance on managing large stores of environmental data. Environmental data management (EDM) is a broad field that encompasses all aspects of environmental research and regulation, from habitat studies and wildlife management plans to health advisories and remediation of hazardous waste sites. Click HERE for more information.

MAY 4 – Burned: Protecting the Protectors Film Screening

The Community Engagement Core and their Partners invite you to the Burned: Protecting the Protectors film screening. This film dives into the decades of occupational exposure to PFAS that firefighters have encountered in their personal protective gear. This will include scenes from the 2022 PFAS conference as well! This event is being held in the WRAL Theater at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. To RSVP for this event, click HERE.

MAY 10 – NCSU’s RETCC, in coordination with URI’s STEEP RETCC Joint Trainee Meetings

NCSU’s RETCC, in coordination with URI’s STEEP RETCC, are holding several joint trainee meetings. A typical meeting lasts approximately one hour and two trainees present 20 min talks with time for questions. There are several benefits for attendees, including of course an opportunity to network with other trainees and postdocs from STEEP; learn about potential areas of collaboration, and new technologies; and, of course, an opportunity to practice giving talks in a friendly setting, and receive feedback from folks not directly involved in their specific area but with potentially valuable insights nonetheless. The zoom link can be found HERE.

MAY 12 – SRP Progress in Research Webinar: Session III — Environmental Justice and Emerging Contaminants

This Progress in Research webinar series will showcase research from 11 new and renewed Multiproject Center grantees, funded by SRP in 2022. These awards were made as part of the P42 grant solicitation RFA-ES-20-014. In the four-part series, awardees will highlight their research projects, accomplishments, and next steps. Click HERE for more information.

MAY 15-17 – Models for Sustainable and Inclusive Data Science Consulting and Collaboration in Higher Education Workshop Series

Funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the NC State Data Science Academy (DSA) and NC State Libraries are partnering with the Academic Data Science Alliance (ADSA) to lead the Models for Sustainable and Inclusive Data Science Consulting and Collaboration in Higher Education workshop series. This series will focus on mechanisms for delivering data science research support via consulting and collaboration models, as well as developing policies and discussing infrastructure that supports robust, inclusive and sustainable practices. Click HERE for more information.

MAY 17 – AWMA RTP Chapter Meeting

Double Feature on Field-Scale Demonstration of PFAS Leachability Following In Situ Soil Stabilization and PFAS in Landfill Leachate and Treatment with Foam Fractionation. Dr. Johnsie Lang serves as a technical expert at Arcadis in Raleigh, NC. Her primary research areas include solid waste, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), and harmful algal blooms (HABs). She has authored over a dozen peer-reviewed publications and participated in research funded by National Science Foundation (NSF), Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP), the Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC), Hinkley Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, and various industrial sponsors. She received her doctoral degree from North Carolina State University (NCSU) with a dissertation demonstrating a national estimate for PFAS release from U.S. municipal landfills in leachate and PFAS release with time from carpet and clothing in model anaerobic laboratory-scale landfill reactors. Dr. Lang has extensive expertise in assessment and monitoring of PFASs in solid, gas phase, and aqueous samples. Her ORISE postdoctoral fellow at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) resulted in a deep understanding of various analytical methods used to measure emerging contaminates in the environment. She has proficiency in examining the fate and transport of recalcitrant pollutants in the environment. Recently, Dr. Lang has focused her efforts on developing a method for removing residual PFASs from fire suppression systems during foam transition. She regularly assists with interpreting and evaluating data collected from field studies on PFASs. In addition, she serves as a technical advisor on several site investigations for PFAS at US Army installations and assists various industrial and commercial clients to understand PFAS impacts at their facilities. This event will be in-person and via zoom. The zoom link can be found HERE.

MAY 18 – SERDP/ESTCP Webinar Assessing Ecological PFAS Exposure and Effects

This webinar will feature DoD-funded research efforts to assess ecological PFAS exposure and effects. First, Dr. David Moore (U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center) will present results from a multi-generational study of the effects of low-level PFOS exposure on zebrafish. Second, Dr. Christine Custer (USGS) will present research on the potential effects of PFAS on a model avian species. Click HERE for more information.

MAY 19 – SRP Progress in Research Webinar: Session IV — Chemical Exposures Across the Life Course

MAY 26 – Duke Toxicology & Environmental Health Seminar: Identifying neurological targets of PFAS toxicity

Please join us for a special bonus seminar in the Duke Integrated Toxicology & Environmental Health Program’s Spring 2023 Series! Jason Cannon, PhD, Purdue University, will present “Comparative biology approaches to identify neurological targets of PFAS toxicity” on Friday, May 26, 11:00 am -12:15 pm Eastern. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are prominent public health concerns that have received much attention for adverse systemic health outcomes. Yet, impacts on the nervous system remain poorly understood. Using a variety of in vitro and animal model systems, Dr. Cannon and his research team have identified cell-type specific neuropathology and dysfunction possibly mediated by specific mitochondrial targets. Comparative analyses across a phylogenetic range of species suggest potential relevance to mental health disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Click HERE for the zoom link.

April

APR 6 – Student Post-Doc/Alumni/Network (SPAN) webinar

Student Post-Doc/Alumni/Network (SPAN) webinar has been scheduled for Thursday, April 6th from 12:00 – 1:30 PM EDT. During this call, Jacob Prichard (NIEHS Contractor) and Carolina Medina (NIEHS Public Health Analyst) will lead the group in a demonstration of the NIEHS Database called CareerTrac. Please note that VERY SOON the NIEHS CareerTrac database will be allowing SRP Trainees to enter their own professional development information into CareerTrac (e.g., publications, awards, positions, honors, etc.)

Note: this webinar is open to all SPAN Leadership Committee Members, SRP Trainees, and SRP P42 Center Administrators, and we highly encourage you all to attend! Click HERE to add this to your calendar.

APR 6 – Environmental Data Management (EDM): Best Practices for Exchanging Environmental Data

APR 6 – NC State Bioinformatics Research Center – Bioinformatics Seminar Series: “Understanding and Identifying the Most Susceptible: Modern uses of electronic health records and epigenetics in environmental health”

Dr. Cavin Ward-Caviness from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be giving a seminar on April 6 at 1:30 PM via Zoom. As an expert in environmental health and air quality research, Dr. Ward-Caviness’s talk promises to be both informative and engaging. Two open questions in environmental health are what are health risks for those most susceptible to exposures and are there molecular biomarkers of susceptibility? Answering these questions can help us to inform those with unique susceptibilities to environmental exposures of their risks and also rapidly identify who is at risk and whether interventions to reduce risks are working. Click HERE for more information.

APR 13 – Introduction to Open Access Publishing

In this workshop, you’ll learn about the recent conversations surrounding open access and the potential benefits of open publishing. We will outline the current models of open access publishing in the academic journal world, along with the various publisher agreements the Libraries have in place to assist NC State authors. We’ll spend time looking for open-access journals in participants’ fields, and determine if NC State has any agreements in place with those publishers. Additionally, the librarians will discuss open access book publishing options, and discuss the partnership with OpenStax which makes high-quality open access textbooks available to anyone at NC State. Click HERE to register.

APR 13 – ITRC PFAS Introductory Training

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large and complex class of anthropogenic compounds whose prevalence in the environment are an emerging, worldwide priority in environmental and human health. The ITRC PFAS Team, formed in 2017, has prepared readily accessible materials to present PFAS information to stakeholders, regulators, and policy makers. The PFAS team represents a diverse cross-section of expertise and experience working on PFAS. Click HERE for more information.

APR 18 – CHHE & Toxicology Special Seminar: (Spatial) Scales of Justice: Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Participatory Sciences

CHHE & Toxicology will present a special seminar by Dr. Caren Cooper. Dr. Cooper is a University Faculty Scholar and Associate Professor of Forestry and Environmental Resources at NC State University. Dr. Cooper’s “current projects use geospatial analytics to discern large-scale patterns across the natural and built environments to gain insights into the ecology, evolution and conservation of birds, as well as expose racial and economic inequities in environmental hazards and in the representativeness of environmental data itself.” Additionally, Dr. Cooper is a part of the Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program in Leadership in Pubic Science, with a major focus on developing the Citizen Science Campus. Click HERE to learn more.

APR 19 – What You Need To Know About Deceptive Publishers

In this workshop you’ll learn about the deceptive tactics employed by predatory publishers. These organizations exploit authors by asking for large publishing fees while providing little editorial oversight, often skipping peer review entirely. Participants will leave knowing how to avoid predatory publishers and conferences when doing information research, what to look out for when searching for a place to publish, and how the academic & research communities are addressing this issue. Click HERE to register.

APR 19 – Models for Sustainable and Inclusive Data Science Consulting and Collaboration in Higher Education Workshop Series

APR 20 – Fundamentals of Crafting a Scientific Article + What Journal Editors are Looking For

You will learn the fundamental components of a scientific article; the role of journal editors, reviewers and publishers; practical tips for crafting an article including how to organize a manuscript, prepare figure and tables, write a compelling discussion and a clear conclusion; ethical standards and best practice; tips to make your article reach the required audience; and guidance on what to avoid. Click HERE to register.

APR 28 – SRP Progress in Research Webinar: Session I — Emergencies and Emerging Contaminants

March

MAR 2 – US EPA 2023 National Fish Forum – Week 1

The EPA will be hosting the 2023 National Fish Forum, on Human Health and Contaminants in Fish – Week 1. This is a free virtual conference with poster sessions. The event will be held between 12:00 pm-5:30 pm EST. You can learn more and register for the event HERE.

MAR 7 – US EPA 2023 National Fish Forum – Week 2

The EPA will be hosting the 2023 National Fish Forum, on Human Health and Contaminants in Fish – Week 2. This is a free virtual conference with poster sessions. The event will be held between 12:00 pm-5:30 pm EST. You can learn more and register for the event HERE.

MAR 9 – US EPA 2023 National Fish Forum – Week 2

MAR 15 – Models for Sustainable and Inclusive Data Science Consulting and Collaboration in Higher Education Workshop Series

Funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the NC State Data Science Academy (DSA) and NC State Libraries are partnering with the Academic Data Science Alliance (ADSA) to lead the Models for Sustainable and Inclusive Data Science Consulting and Collaboration in Higher Education workshop series. This series will focus on mechanisms for delivering data science research support via consulting and collaboration models, as well as developing policies and discussing infrastructure that supports robust, inclusive and sustainable practices. Click HERE for more information.

MAR 19-23 – SOT 62nd Annual Meeting and ToxExpo

The Society of Toxicology is hosting the SOT 62nd Annual Meeting and ToxExpo in Nashville, TN. This event brings together 5,000+ toxicologists and those working in areas related to toxicology to share the latest science and technology in the field, as well as to make new connections, gather with friends, and engage in mentoring and professional development. You can learn more and register for the event HERE.

February

FEB 1 – EHLC 2023: Sharing Your Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) Data: Metadata, Standards, and Tools

The February 1, 12-5 pm EST workshop is entitled: Spotlight domain-specific resources as well as offer the opportunity to have more open discussions on topics of interest to attendees. To prepare the environmental health sciences research community to meet the upcoming data management and sharing plan requirements, the Environmental Health Language Collaborative (EHLC) is hosting a 3-day virtual workshop on Sharing Your Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) Data: Metadata, Standards, and Tools.

EHLC is a NIEHS-sponsored, community-driven initiative to improve standardization, sharing, and interoperability of environmental health sciences information. You can learn more and register for the event HERE.

FEB 21 – 7th Annual CHHE Symposium

The 7th Annual CHHE Symposium will feature research presentations by guest speakers and CHHE members in the area of Sex Differences in Response to Environmental Exposure. You can learn more and register for the event HERE.

FEB 28 – US EPA 2023 National Fish Forum – Week 1

January

JAN 13 – EHLC 2023: Sharing Your Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) Data: Metadata, Standards, and Tools

The January 13, 12:30-4:30 pm EST workshop is entitled: Set the stage for understanding the purpose and elements of the data management and sharing plan. To prepare the environmental health sciences research community to meet the upcoming data management and sharing plan requirements, the Environmental Health Language Collaborative (EHLC) is hosting a 3-day virtual workshop on Sharing Your Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) Data: Metadata, Standards, and Tools.

JAN 19 – EHLC 2023: Sharing Your Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) Data: Metadata, Standards, and Tools

The January 19, 12-5 pm EST workshop is entitled: Highlight specific resources and tools that support compliance with elements of the data management and sharing plan. To prepare the environmental health sciences research community to meet the upcoming data management and sharing plan requirements, the Environmental Health Language Collaborative (EHLC) is hosting a 3-day virtual workshop on Sharing Your Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) Data: Metadata, Standards, and Tools.

JAN 26 – IPCP webinar: Unwrapping Conflict of Interest in Chemicals and Waste Governance

You are invited to join an IPCP webinar on Thursday, January 26 at 14:30 CET (UTC+1): Unwrapping Conflict of Interest in Chemicals and Waste Governance. This webinar aims to illustrate the role that private interests play in delaying actions that are intended to prevent adverse health impacts from toxic chemicals and waste. This event is timely because it comes before the upcoming negotiations at the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG-1.2) from January 30 to February 3, 2023 to plan the creation of a science-policy panel for the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution (aka an “IPCC for chemicals and waste”). You can learn more and register for the event HERE.