2024 Events

October

October 1-2 – 9th Annual NC BREATHE Conference

Durham, NC, In-person. The 9th Annual NC BREATHE Conference, presented by CleanAIRE NC, aimed to explore the relationship between environmental health and human well-being. Explore the connection between air quality, climate change, and health equity through conversations with community leaders, health professionals, and policymakers. Learn how communities are finding innovative solutions and advocating for clean air and healthy environments for all. This conference was your chance to connect, gain knowledge, and make a real difference. Click HERE to learn more.

October 1 – RETCC: Workshop – Preparing for Academic Job Interviews

10:00-11:00 am EDT, In-person. 3361 Fitts-Woolard Hall. This workshop was lead by Dr. Meagan Autry, Director of Professional Development, Civil and Environmental Engineering. Are you on the academic job market this fall? Join us for a workshop and learn how to prepare for the interview process.

October 2 – RETCC/DMAC: Working with Multiple Datasets in Pandas (Python Open Lab 2)

1:00-3:00 pm EDT, Virtual workshop. This series provided an introduction to core concepts for working with data in Python using the pandas data analysis library and an opportunity to apply these concepts in an open, supported environment. In this lab we covered common methods for loading, combining, and preparing different types of datasets for analyses with pandas. Click HERE to learn more.

October 4 – NIEHS Office of Fellows’ Career Development Recruitment Fair

2:00-3:30 pm EDT, Virtual meeting. This afternoon event introduceed students and prospective fellows to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), an institute that is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Participants had the opportunity to learn about the research happening at NIEHS, hear about available positions from research groups below, and network with current fellows, staff, and principal investigators. Click HERE to learn more.

October 4-5 – GenX Exposure Study Field Collection Event – Pittsboro

Pittsboro, NC, In-person, Old Ag. Building, 1192 U.S. Hwy 64 West Business. The GenX Exposure Study team collected their next round of samples. The study team collected blood and urine samples, height and weight data, and questionnaire data from participants. This was a great opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students and program trainees to get practical field experience. Click HERE for more information about the GenX Study.

October 8 – NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology Webinar

12:00-1:00 pm EDT, Webinar. Whether you’re considering applying for the PRFB this year or in the future, this informational webinar followed by a Q&A session will help you navigate the process of submitting for NSF biology fellowships. This webinar featured an explainer of the funding opportunity, tips and insight into applying to the NSF, as well as general grantsmanship guidelines and advice that will be helpful for any grants you might write in the future. This webinar was available for all and it is heavily encouraged that current postdocs and interested graduate students attend. Click HERE to learn more.

October 8 – From Research to Real-World Impact: Transitioning to Careers in Animal Health

12:00-1:00 pm EDT, Zoom. Industry Insights is a series of talks led by A2i industry partners to provide you the opportunity to build your network, explore career opportunities that connect to your graduate degree, and prepare for a successful transition to industry. Click HERE to register.

October 8 – Student Opportunities with Oak Ridge National Laboratory

12:00-1:30 pm EDT, In-person, Talley Student Union, Room 3285. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) campus liaison William Jenks was at the Talley Student Center in Room 3285 on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 to share a slice of pizza and information about internships, collaborations and job opportunities. We also had a hybrid option if you were unable to attend in person. Click HERE to learn more.

October 10 – RETCC: AI Powered Citation Management

10:00-12:00 pm EDT, In-person. East Learning Lab B 2113, DH Hill Library. Learn how to manage your research library, discover new citations, create bibliographies, and cite in-text automatically using the free tools Zotero and Research Rabbit. In this workshop, we explored the integration of AI into the research process, getting hands on experience using these tools to streamline the management and discovery of citations. Click HERE for more information.

October 10 – US Department of Health and Human Services-Wide Virtual Career Fair

1:00-4:00 pm EDT, Virtual event. Whether you’re a recent graduate, seasoned professional, or looking to make a career change, the Health and Human Services (HHS)-Wide Virtual Career Fair provided you with a unique opportunity to explore career paths across HHS’ agencies and offices. Representatives from across HHS shared information about career opportunities and positions available in HHS’ OpDivs and StaffDivs. Click HERE to learn more.

October 10 – SRP RT/CE Monthly Webinar

2:00-3:00 pm EDT, Webinar. This month’s webinar was focused on gathering feedback for the redesign of the SRP website, which we aimed to make more user-friendly and engaging. Your input was crucial in ensuring the website meets your needs and provides easy access to SRP-related information. We began by discussing the Who We Fund pages and shared mockups of our initial ideas before the meeting. However, we welcomed feedback on the entire website.

October 14-18 – 2024 Water & Health Conference

Chapel Hill, NC, In-person. The annual UNC Water and Health Conference reflected the Water Institute’s commitment to improving public health by achieving universal access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) services that are safe, affordable and sustainable. The conference provided a curated space where policymakers, practitioners and researchers gathered to review the evidence, interrogate the science and improve old and develop new approaches to expanding WaSH access and services.  Click HERE to learn more.

October 16 – RETCC/DMAC: Data Wrangling with Pandas (Python Open Lab 3)

1:00-3:00 pm EDT, Virtual workshop. This series provided an introduction to core concepts for working with data in Python using the Pandas data analysis library and an opportunity to apply these concepts in an open, supported environment. In this lab we covered common methods for cleaning and preparing datasets for analyses with Pandas such as filtering, aggregation, and joins. Click HERE to learn more.

October 16 – RETCC/DMAC: Exploratory Analysis with Pandas (Python Open Lab 4)

1:00-3:00 pm EDT, Virtual workshop. This series provided an introduction to core concepts for working with data in Python using the Pandas data analysis library and an opportunity to apply these concepts in an open, supported environment. In this lab we covered common exploratory analysis methods such as calculating summary statistics and aggregating and grouping data using pandas. Click HERE to learn more.

October 16 – Health and Human Services (HHS) Webinar: Resume Writing for Federal Jobs

3:00-4:00 pm EST, Webinar. HHS hosted a webinar on federal resume writing to equip job seekers with the knowledge and skills needed to craft strong federal resumes. The webinar shared valuable tips on ways candidates can effectively highlight their skills and experiences so that their resumes stand out during the federal application process. Click HERE to learn more.

October 17 – Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program “Cluster Conversations” Event

8:45-10:00 am EDT, In-person, Raleigh Founded, Partners I Building, Centennial Campus. “Cluster Conversations” is a series which spotlights the Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program. Each month, members of one of the program clusters join the senior vice provost for University Interdisciplinary Programs, for an informal conversation about the exciting work being done within their cluster – currently, and with an eye to the future. Jane Hoppin (Project 1) will be speaking on the Environmental Health Science Cluster. Click HERE to learn more.

October 18-19 – GEM GRAD Lab/ Future Faculty and Professional Symposium

Raleigh NC, In-person, Talley Student Union. North Carolina State University was thrilled to announce a unique, combined event bringing together GEM’s GRAD Lab and Fellow & Future Professionals (FFP) Program! The FFP Symposium was an immersive program designed to equip graduate students and postdocs with the essential skills, knowledge, and networks needed to excel in academic and professional careers. Participants gained insights into faculty roles, industry leadership, and entrepreneurship through workshops, panels, and networking opportunities, preparing them for diverse career paths in academia and beyond. Click HERE to learn more.

September

September 4 – RETCC: Fall 2024 Trainee Meeting

3:30-5:00 pm EDT, Zoom meeting. SRP Trainees are invited to attend the Trainee Meetings as part of their Superfund experience.

September 5 – RETCC/DMAC: Beginning R

10:00-12:00 pm EDT, Virtual workshop. R is a language and computing environment for statistical analysis and graphics that is free and open-source. R is useful for many purposes, including statistics, data science, and applications in engineering, sciences, and other academic fields. This workshop will walk through the R Studio user interface, an introduction to R programming, and an exploration of the wide range of applications for R available through external packages. While Beginning R it is not a pre-requisite for other R workshops, we advise participants who wish to familiarize themselves with basic R concepts to take Beginning R before enrolling in more advanced R courses. Click HERE to learn more.

September 6 – Write for Your Reader

10:00-11:00 am EDT, In-person, 5119 Jordan Hall. An abstract revision workshop for environmental academics. Click HERE to learn more.

September 11 – Leveraging Zebrafish as a Model to Study Maternal-to-Zygotic Transition and Dorsoventral Patterning as Targets of Developmental Toxicants

12:00-1:15 pm EDT, In-person and Zoom, Field Auditorium, (rm 1112) Grainger Hall, Duke University. In this presentation, I spoke about part of the research going on in my lab for the past 1.5 years, studying impacts of flame retardant tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) on early development, using zebrafish as a model. Our studies show that TBBPA exposures result in pre-pluripotent developmental delays and subsequent disruption of dorsoventral patterning- an event that establishes the embryonic axis. The talk covered our work encompassing TBBPA-induced impacts on maternal-to-zygotic transition and our efforts to interrogate the role of histone acetylation and P300 histone acetyltransferase protein as a primary target of TBBPA and developmental delays. The talk also covered studies on dorsoventral patterning, interrogating the modes of action driving TBBPA-induced “ventralization” phenotypes. I specifically spoke about bone morphogenetic protein signaling as well as transcription factors and cell adhesion proteins involved in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition as specific targets of TBBPA across developmental time points. Click HERE to learn more.

September 11 – Drinking Water Quality in Rural Alaska: Addressing Socioeconomic Challenges from Molecular Level Insights

3:00-4:00 pm EDT, In-person and Zoom, 3301 Fitts-Woolard Hall. This presentation focused on water quality results from a recent study of drinking water in homes that receive hauled water from a groundwater sourced water treatment system in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region of Alaska. The first part of the talk addressed the challenges associated with operating and delivering water in these remote communities, the water quality challenges experienced, and the performance of the drinking water processes. The second part of the talk exploreed mechanisms associated with contaminant removal in precipitating systems. Finally, the presentation explored the role of climate change in delivering infrastructure in the Arctic and what climate adaptation looks like in communities that are on the melting tundra with regard to water delivery. Click HERE to learn more.

September 11 – GenX Exposure Study In Person Community Meetings – Pittsboro

6:30-8:00 pm EDT, In-person, Chatham County Agricultural & Conference Center. The GenX Exposure Study group hosted an in person meeting to discuss the results of the 2023 sampling specific to each community. We discussed the Pittsboro community’s blood PFAS levels from our 2023 sampling and dedicate time for Q&A at the end. All were welcome to attend this free, in-person event. Click HERE to learn more.

September 12 – RETCC/DMAC: Data Cleaning with R

10:00-12:00 pm EDT, Virtual workshop. Often one of the most time-consuming aspects of doing research is cleaning your data. This workshop provided participants with an overview and hands-on practice using data cleaning functions in R, specifically from the Tidyverse set of packages (https://www.tidyverse.org/). Topics included loading data, subsetting, filtering, creating new columns, merging data, stripping out unwanted characters, reshaping data, and by-group processing. This hands-on workshop was most suited to participants who have some prior familiarity with R. Click HERE to learn more.

September 12 – NIH/NIEHS Monthly RT/CE Webinar

2:00-3:15 pm EDT, Zoom meeting. This month’s webinar featured a speaker from the American Association for the Advancement of Science Center for Scientific Evidence for Public Issues, who presented on aiding policy makers in using scientific findings when creating policy and legislation. 

September 13 – NIH Environmental Justice Scholars Program

11:00-12:00 pm EDT, Webinar. The Environmental Justice (EJ) Scholars Program aims to build NIH capacity to advance environmental justice research, programs, and resource experts. This was an informational webinar for interested applicants. Click HERE for more information.

September 17 – RETCC/DMAC: Elements of Visualization Design

10:00-12:00 pm EDT, Virtual workshop. This workshop introduced core design elements based on accepted best practices grounded in visualization research. Tools for color and chart selection were presented and participants gained practice doing a visualization ‘make over’. Click HERE to learn more.

September 17 – GenX Exposure Study In Person Community Meetings – Gray’s Creek Community

6:00-8:00 pm EDT, In-person, Gray’s Creek Community Building. This in person meeting discussed the results of the 2023 sampling specific to each community. We discussed the Gray’s Creek community’s blood PFAS levels from our 2023 sampling and dedicate time for Q&A at the end. All were welcome to attend this free, in-person event. Click HERE to learn more.

September 18 – RETCC: AI in STEM Research

3:30-5:00 pm EDT, In-person. 3103 Fitts-Woolard Hall. In this workshop, we explored the evolving role of AI in research, with a focus on the rise of Generative AI and its impact on STEM fields. We discussed your perspectives on AI in research and higher education, followed by an introduction to key campus and library resources, then wrapped up the session with a spotlight on AI-powered tools that can enhance your research. Tyler Kroon was the guest speaker. Click HERE for more information.

September 19 – RETCC/DMAC: Data Visualization with R

10:00-12:00 pm EDT, Virtual workshop. This workshop provided an introductory overview and hands-on practice with making data visualizations with R, a statistical computing language. Topics covered included an overview of visualization packages, including ggplot2, ggvis, plotly, leaflet, and others, as well as considerations for creating publication-quality graphics using R.  The hands-on activity consisted of creating a few visualizations using R in the RStudio development environment. Click HERE to learn more.

September 24-25 – Opportunities In Population Health Research in Native Communities to Advance Health Equity

10:00-6:00 pm EDT, Virtual workshop. This workshop brought together a multi-disciplinary panel of researchers whose expertise focuses on American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) health to assess current and future opportunities in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic diseases, including heart and lung diseases, sleep disorders, cancer, and diabetes, as well as their related risk factors within AI/AN communities. Native community members also participated to ensure their unique perspectives and experiences are reflected in the discussion. The workshop identified key research gaps, opportunities for culturally centered programs, and barriers to progress. It also proposed future research directions, highlight strategies to enhance research capacity, and explore community-engaged participatory research strategies in alignment with Tribal customs, culture, and laws. Click HERE to learn more.

September 25 – Public Meeting on the Development of an Enhanced Systematic Process for FDA’s Post-Market Assessment of Chemicals in Food

12:30-4:30 pm EDT, Zoom meeting. The FDA hosted a public meeting to share the agency’s enhanced systematic process for post-market assessment of chemicals in food and hear stakeholder perspectives on this proposal. This information helps inform our thinking and further the development of the process. Click HERE to learn more.

September 25 – RETCC/DMAC: Reading, Exploring, and Writing Data with Pandas (Python Open Lab 1)

1:00-3:00 pm EDT, Virtual workshop. This series provided an introduction to core concepts for working with data in Python using the Pandas data analysis library and an opportunity to apply these concepts in an open, supported environment. In this lab we covered an introduction to the Pandas library, including methods for reading, exploring, and writing various data formats such as tab-delimited files, Excel files, and JSON files with Pandas. Click HERE to learn more.

September 26 – RETCC/DMAC: Low Code Data Analysis with MATLAB

2:00-3:30 pm EDT, Virtual workshop. You learned how you can analyze and model data using interactive tools in MATLAB. Through live demonstrations and examples, you saw how you can solve many steps in a data analysis workflow without writing any code yourself. The interactive tools then generated the MATLAB code you needed to programmatically reproduce your work. This session was targeted for those who are new to MATLAB. However, experienced MATLAB users also benefited from the session as the presenter covered new tools, tips and tricks from the latest releases of MATLAB. Click HERE to learn more.

September 30 – CCEE Seminar Series – Damian Helbling: Managing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Semiconductor Wastewater: Occurrence, Source Tracking, and New Materials for PFAS Capture From Wastewater

12:45-1:45 pm EDT, Virtual and In-person, 3301 Fitts-Woolard Hall. As part of the CCEE seminar series, Damian Helbling from Cornell was invited to give a presentation on novel PFAS sorbents. Click HERE for more information.

August

August 5 – RETCC: Retreat 3MT Info Session

12:00-1:00 pm EDT, Zoom meeting. Information session for students preparing for their 3 minute thesis.

August 6 – Gen-X Exposure Study Webinar

6:00-8:00 pm EDT, Live Webinar. The GenX Exposure Study team invited everyone to join their free virtual webinar. Our team: discussed the most recent PFAS blood results from the communities of Pittsboro, Fayetteville, and the Lower Cape Fear River Basin. and dedicated time for questions at the end. Click HERE for more information.

August 8-9 – NCSU PDU’s NIH Summer Writing Workshop

9:00-12:00 pm EDT, In-person. Poulton Innovation Center, Centennial Campus. New to NIH proposals? Whether this is your first grant, or you’ve had a decade of support from NSF, if you’re new to NIH this workshop is for you. This summer grant writing workshop for faculty will help you find funding opportunities, navigate proposal requirements and engage with relevant program officers. Plus, NC State’s Proposal Development Unit (PDU) will offer tips and tricks for developing more competitive proposals for NIH’s peer review system. Click HERE to learn more.

August 8 – Federal Facilities Online Academy: Role of Superfund Performance Measures

1:00-3:00 pm EDT, Live Webinar. Role of Superfund Performance Measures was a two-hour webinar course that identified the role of performance measures, including environmental indicators, how to justify their status, and how to achieve an under-control status at Superfund sites. Click HERE to learn more.

August 21 – RETCC: Retreat 3MT Practice

3:30-5:00 pm EDT, In-person. 3301 Fitts-Woolard Hall. Practice session for students preparing for their 3 minute thesis.

August 26 – PFAS Management Strategies in the United States, European Union, and Australia

10:00-12:00 pm EDT, Live Webinar. The management of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is an issue of global concern. Across the world, countries are developing their own methods and approaches to managing PFAS. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) has partnered with the Common Forum on Contaminated Land for this webinar to highlight PFAS policy, actions and guidance in the United States Superfund Program, select countries within the European Union (EU), and Australia. The purpose of this webinar was to provide information on PFAS management approaches in the US, EU, and Australia to encourage knowledge transfer and information exchange to increase the awareness of how PFAS is being managed in different parts of the world and what research is telling us about the destruction and disposal of PFAS. Click HERE to learn more.

August 27 – Toxicology Graduate Program Speaker Series

4:00-5:00 pm EDT, Virtual event. The Toxicology Graduate Program Speaker Series hosted Ashley Connors, trainee in Jeff Yoder’s lab. She gave a presentation on “Exploring the impacts of PFASs on immune and developmental endpoints”. Click HERE for more information.

August 28 – RETCC/DMAC: Introduction to Programming with Python

1:00-3:00 pm EDT, Virtual workshop. This workshop series introduces fundamental concepts of programming through the Python programming language. By the end of the hands-on series, you’ll have a core understanding of variables, data types, control flow, functions, and basic data structures. You will know enough to write basic scripts and explore other features of the language. This series is appropriate for those with little or no programming experience. Each session will include hands-on activities, and there will be time at the end for questions. Registration includes all three workshops. You cannot register for individual workshops. Click HERE to learn more.

August 28 – CHHE Mini Retreat

2:00-6:00 pm EDT, In-person. Talley Student Union, Piedmont Ballroom. The Center for Human Health and the Environment (CHHE) hosted their mini retreat co-lead by David Collier and Fred Wright. CHHE seeks to understand how human health is impacted by environmental factors and how to reduce adverse impacts. Click HERE for more information.

August 29 – SRP Center Mini Retreat

9:00-12:00 pm EDT, In-person. 3301 Fitts-Woolard Hall. This mini retreat focused on our trainees and community partners. Trainees delivered 3 minute thesis presentations and had opportunities to meet/interact with Center members and several of our community partners.

July

July 19 – SPAN Summer 2024 Webinar

2:00-3:30 pm EDT, Live Webinar. Student/Postdoc/Alumni Network (SPAN) Summer 2024 Webinar. During this call, we focused the conversation on center updates. It had been a while since we’ve heard from all of our centers, so we asked that each center prepare 2-3 slides with updates to share with the group. 

July 23 – Evaluating and Integrating Cumulative Environmental Impacts in Superfund Human Health Risk Assessments

3:00-4:30 EDT, Live webinar. Superfund uses a risk-based decision framework to assess and manage human exposure to a release and the threat of a release in the environment from pollutants and contaminants. The risk assessment process quantifies the baseline risk from route of exposure (e.g., inhalation, ingestion, etc.) and the toxicity (e.g., cancer and noncancer). Furthermore, when information such as toxicity is not available, the risk assessment may provide a qualitative assessment to inform the risk manager towards a protective remedy. An important aspect is identifying at-risk populations that may be more susceptible to adverse health outcomes due to their vulnerability and sensitivity (e.g., children). However, Superfund has not issued national guidance on how to incorporate or consider concurrent exposure to factors such as psychosocial stress, racial/minority status, low-income and food insecurity, which have been shown to modify risks from chemical releases for at-risk communities. Executive Order 12898 requires EPA to identify and address, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of its programs, policies and activity on minority and low-income populations to the greatest extent possible. This webinar provided an overview of the following topics: superfund risk assessment, chemical stressors, non-chemical stressors, Environmental Justice, screening tools, and superfund site case studies.  Click HERE for more information.

July 22-25 – RETCC: 2024 Science Policy Boot Camp

In-Person, Multiple locations around North Carolina’s Triangle area, including Raleigh, Durham and Research Triangle Park (RTP). This was a four-day deep dive into state-level policy making with practitioners, leading experts in science policy, communication, and engagement. The 2024 boot camp included open participation, hands-on learning activities, and signature events including a science policy hack-a-thon. Click HERE for more information.

June

June 7 – Hannah Starnes – Dissertation Defense Seminar

3:30 pm EDT, In-person and zoom, Toxicology Building, Room 2104, Centennial Campus. Hannah Starnes (Project 3 Trainee) presented her dissertation defense of A New In Vitro and Machine Learning Framework for Characterizing Albumin Binding Across the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Chemical Landscape. Click HERE for more information.

June 10-12 – 2024 National PFAS Conference

Ann Arbor, MI, In-person. Three days of powerful talks! This conference is held every other year with a unique focus on the social, scientific, political, economic, and environmental health issues raised by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). We examined both ubiquitous exposures in consumer products and discrete historic and recent contamination discoveries in drinking water and soil around the world. In partnership with academic institutions and the National PFAS Contamination Coalition, each conference brings together some of the nation’s leading scientists, government agency professionals, community-based organization leaders, national and regional environmental advocates, journalists, and lawyers to examine the most pressing issues related to PFAS exposures, health effects, and building greater accountability from responsible parties. Click HERE for more information.

June 12-14 – Multi-omics Bootcamp

8:00-5:00 pm EDT, Virtual Workshop. A 3-day virtual workshop on multi-omics analysis offered by Columbia University. The Multi-omics Boot Camp was a three-day intensive boot camp of seminars and hands-on sessions to provide an overview of concepts and methods used to analyze multiple omics data in observational studies. Specific topics included integrating germline genetic, gene expression, and exposomic data, gene-environment interaction, mediation, and polygenetic risk scores for assessing risk, estimating subgroups, and selecting relevant features. Click HERE to learn more.

June 13 – ITRC PFAS Beyond the Basics: PFAS Treatment Technologies Training

1:00-3:00 pm EDT, Live Webinar. This training class built on the earlier information for treatment technologies presented in the PFAS 101 CLU-IN training. It provided more in-depth information regarding considerations for implementing integrated PFAS treatment technologies and remediation strategies. This training introduced the concept that achieving site remedial objectives will likely necessitate the implementation of multiple treatment technologies and remediation strategies (i.e., an integrated remedial strategy). Specifically, this training used a hypothetical conceptual site model to frame the discussion of remedial approaches for PFAS impacted source area soil, source area groundwater, and more dilute groundwater plumes. The training concluded with a discussion of select field implemented and developing disposal and destructive technologies for managing treatment residuals. Click HERE to learn more.

June 20 – How Are Institutions Transformed to Foster Cultures of Inclusive Excellence?

1:00-3:00 pm EDT, Virtual seminar. The final NIH Scientific Workforce Diversity Seminar Series (SWDSS) event of the 2023­–2024 season will focus on strategies to enhance inclusion and create a culture of equity within the scientific workforce at academic institutions as well as methods for assessing culture change. Panelists will discuss the benefits of inclusive excellence in the scientific workforce and barriers that institutions face in fostering inclusive cultures. This virtual seminar will also share principles of inclusive practices that can be adopted by other academic institutions across the biomedical, social, and behavioral research enterprise. Click HERE for more information and to register.

May

May 3 – SRP Progress in Research Webinar Series: Emerging Technologies in Occupational Health and Safety Training and Education – Session II

1:00-3:00 pm EDT, Live Webinar. The NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) hosted their 2024 Progress in Research webinar series showcasing federally-funded researchers developing curricula and educational programs focused on emergent technologies in the sphere of occupational health and safety. Over the three sessions, presenters will highlight their research projects and accomplishments – included in this group of researchers were SRP’s Occupational Health and Safety Training Education Programs on Emerging Technologies grant recipients. Click HERE for more information.

May 7 – NIEHS Virtual Workshop on Emerging Contaminants and Issues of Concern (ECIC) – Day 2

10:00-2:00 pm EDT, Virtual Workshop. The NIEHS convened a free two-day virtual workshop on Horizon Scanning to proactively identify and improve responses to emerging contaminants, emergencies, and issues of concern. Horizon scanning activities engaged experts in conversations to predict responses or capabilities that may be needed; scoping typically consists of compiling bits of information and working with a stakeholder to satisfy their needs.

Day two featured collaborative round-table discussion and workshop time to address these two questions, and to outline key needs and features for a community of practice. This collaborative half-day will lay the groundwork for building an inter-agency, interdisciplinary community of practice for horizon scanning. Click HERE for more information.

May 9 – Toxicology Program Symposium

12:30-7:00 pm EDT, Hunt Library. This was a great opportunity to connect and for students to receive training in communicating their science. The keynote speaker was Dr Emma Hinkle, an alumnus of NC State, who is a Senior Medical Writer and dedicates much of her spare time to educating the public about science and ethics. This year, each student who gave an oral presentation was provided with feedback from all members of the audience (faculty, staff and students) through a simple form that could be completed in real time – so we all had an important part to play!

May 9 – ITRC PFAS Beyond the Basics: Topics on PFAS Biosolids: Sources, Transport, and Management of PFAS Surface Releases Training

1:00-3:00 pm EDT. Live Webinar. This training class built on the earlier information for introductory PFAS topics presented in the PFAS 101 CLU-IN training. The ITRC PFAS Beyond the Basics class provided more information related to potential sources of PFAS in biosolids, implications of PFAS associated with land-applied biosolids, vadose zone fate and transport processes that likely govern biosolids releases, treatment/disposal options for PFAS-impacted biosolids, and regulatory considerations. Click HERE for more information.

May 17 – SRP Progress in Research Webinar Series: Emerging Technologies in Occupational Health and Safety Training and Education – Session III

12:00-2:00 pm EDT, Live Webinar. The NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) hosted their 2024 Progress in Research webinar series showcasing federally-funded researchers developing curricula and educational programs focused on emergent technologies in the sphere of occupational health and safety. Over the three sessions, presenters highlighted their research projects and accomplishments – included in this group of researchers were SRP’s Occupational Health and Safety Training Education Programs on Emerging Technologies grant recipients. Click HERE for more information.

May 19-22 – 18th International Congress: Combustion By-Products and Their Health Effects

Durham, NC, In-person. The International Congress on Combustion By-Products and Their Health Effects (also known as “The PIC Congress”) provided a unique platform for discussion between chemists, engineers, toxicologists, and biomedical researchers regarding the most pressing issues related to combustion pollutants and their associated health impacts. Combustion-derived pollutants are recognized as one of the primary causes of environmental degradation and human health effects. The first PIC Congress was organized in 1990 at the National Institute of Health facility in Bethesda, MD, USA. The Congress is now a biennial event held in international locations such as Germany, Sweden, China, and South Korea.  In 2022 it was held in the United Kingdom and in 2024 Duke University was excited to host the 18^th International Congress in the United States. Click HERE for more information.

May 21 – FRTR Spring 2024 General Meeting: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to Optimize Site Remediation

8:00-4:45 pm EDT, Live Webinar. The FRTR 2024 Spring General Meeting provided an opportunity to share progress and results of recent AI/ML projects providing advanced contaminant plume characterization and predictive modeling, and improved cleanup efficiency. The meeting highlighted site-specific case studies where AI/ML has substantially enhanced remedial decisions, remedy implementation and performance monitoring, and reduced needs for extensive sampling. Discussions during the meeting sought to provide remedial project managers and technical staff with information and best practices for deploying AI/ML technology. Click HERE for more information.

May 21 – ITRC Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC) Identification Framework Training

1:00-3:00 pm EDT, Live Webinar. In 2023, the ITRC Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC) Framework was published to help environmental regulatory agencies and other stakeholders identify, evaluate, and manage CEC’s while acknowledging uncertainties in their environmental fate and transport, receptor exposure, and/or toxicity. Such an approach can be conducive to improved allocation of regulatory response resources and provide a foundation for communicating potential risk to stakeholders. Click HERE for more information.

May 23 – ITRC PFAS Beyond the Basics: PFAS Fate and Transport, Site Characterizations and Source ID Training

1:00-3:00 pm EDT, Live Webinar. This training class built on the earlier information for fate and transport and site characterization presented in the PFAS 101 CLU-IN training. It provided more in-depth information for fate and transport, site characterization, source identification and some introductory information on environmental forensics. These topics were presented along with options and a framework for data visualization. This training focused largely on PFAS fate and transport in groundwater. The goal was to provide detailed information about the inputs practitioners can use to develop a robust conceptual site model to help understand fate and transport at PFAS sites, and how to gather evidence of multiple sources. Click HERE to learn more.

April

April 5 – Data Science and Environmental Health Science Research Symposium

8:30-6:00 pm EDT, Hunt Library-Duke Energy Hall. The Data Science and Environmental Health Sciences Research  symposium provided expert knowledge on state-of-the-art approaches in Data Science as applied to Environmental Health Research. This symposium promoted current research activities in Population Genomics, Genomic Driven New Approach Methodologies and Environmental Health Disparities and addressed approaches to handling “big data”. This meeting aimed to foster collaborative discussions through an interdisciplinary forum and advance the application of new methods in Environmental Health Science Research. Click HERE to lean more.

April 5 – SPAN Webinar: Special Career Panel-Government Sector

12:00-1:30 pm EDT, Webinar. During this call, we invited Ashley Vargas, Ph.D., Deputy Director of the Division of Extramural Research and Training at NIEHS and Miori Harms, Uranium Mine Reclamation Coordinator for the New Mexico Environment Department, to be part of a career panel focused on the government sector. This career panel series will span several sessions over the year as we are hoping to highlight professionals from various employment sectors, showing the breadth of opportunities post-training.

April 18 – ITRC: PFAS Beyond the Basics: Sampling, Analysis, Surface Water, & Air Occurrence Training

1:00-3:00 pm EDT, Webinar. This ITRC training course built upon PFAS sampling and analysis information presented in the PFAS 101 CLU-IN training. The ITRC PFAS Beyond the Basics class provided in-depth information on preparing for and implementing sampling events. Some detailed information and case studies were presented for sampling surface water and PFAS-containing foam that can form and aggregate at the surface water-air interface. The training included information about PFAS analysis and discusses alternative qualitative analytical techniques. The occurrence of PFAS in air information from the literature for outdoor air, indoor air, settled dust and precipitation was discussed. Click HERE for more information.

April 23 – ITRC: Beyond the Basics: PFAS Human Health, Ecological Effects and Regulations Training

1:00-3:00 pm EDT, Live Webinar. This training class built on the earlier information for introductory PFAS topics presented in the PFAS 101 CLU-IN training. It provided more in-depth information for human health effects, ecological toxicity and ecological risk assessment, PFAS regulations, and AFFF alternatives and replacement. Click HERE to lean more.

April 24 – CEHP-STEEP Joint Trainee Virtual Meeting

11:00-12:00 pm EDT, Virtual Meeting. As many of you know, STEEP investigators and trainees are studying the environmental and human health impacts of PFAS. Thus, STEEP and our Center have a lot in common and these joint meetings are a great opportunity for trainees to discuss their research findings, learn about novel research approaches, and expand their PFAS network.

April 25 – RETCC: Lessons Learned by Engaging Communities Surrounding Superfund

1:00-2:00 pm EDT. Virtual Meeting. Jackie Medcalf became a champion for public health when she discovered that toxic chemicals in her drinking water were making her family sick. She founded the Texas Health and Environment Alliance (THEA) to give others the tools to protect their own health. Since its founding, THEA has worked neighborhood-by-neighborhood to clean up toxic chemicals in Houston and Harris County. During that time, the organization has built a coalition of more than 58,000 residents and influenced more than $122 million in EPA-sponsored cleanup projects.

April 26 – SRP Progress in Research Webinar Series: Emerging Technologies in Occupational Health and Safety Training and Education – Session I

1:00-3:00 pm EDT, Live Webinar. The NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) hosted their 2024 Progress in Research webinar series showcasing federally-funded researchers developing curricula and educational programs focused on emergent technologies in the sphere of occupational health and safety. Over the three sessions, presenters will highlight their research projects and accomplishments – included in this group of researchers are SRP’s Occupational Health and Safety Training Education Programs on Emerging Technologies grant recipients. Click HERE for more information.

April 30 – NIEHS Virtual Workshop on Emerging Contaminants and Issues of Concern (ECIC) – Day 1

9:00-3:20 pm EDT, Virtual Workshop. The NIEHS convened a free two-day virtual workshop on Horizon Scanning to proactively identify and improve responses to emerging contaminants, emergencies, and issues of concern. Horizon scanning activities engage experts in conversations to predict responses or capabilities that may be needed; scoping typically consists of compiling bits of information and working with a stakeholder to satisfy their needs.

Day one focused on articulating the current scope of our abilities and technologies for horizon scanning of emerging contaminants from global, to federal, to state, to community perspectives. We also identified current gaps or weaknesses in those abilities. At the conclusion of Day one, participants were asked to consider what advancements in our abilities need to occur, and what a collaborative directed effort – a community of practice – may look like. Click HERE for more information.

March

March 7 – RETCC: Duke Integrated Toxicology & Environmental Health Program’s Spring 2024 Series

12:00-1:15 pm EST, Livestream. Taylor Hoxie, PhD candidate, Duke University, presented “Assessing Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in the Indoor and Ambient Environment Utilizing Silicone Wristbands”. Research on exposure to PFASs has mostly focused on exposure via contaminated drinking water and food. However, PFASs exposure is not limited to dietary sources. Consumer products and building materials can also serve as sources of PFASs in the indoor and ambient environment.

March 10-14 – SOT 63rd Annual Meeting and ToxExpo

SOT returned to Salt Lake City for the first time in more than a decade for its 63rd Annual Meeting and ToxExpo. The 2024 meeting featureed five days of Featured and Scientific Sessions, poster presentations, and social events, as well as the popular three-day ToxExpo. Click HERE to read more.

March 18 – University Research Symposium

9:30-4:30 pm, Talley Student Union, Piedmont-Mountains Ballroom. The University Research Symposium (URS) was brought to you by the Research Leadership Academy and hosted by the Office of Research and Innovation. Theme: 21st Century Threats to Health | Bright Ideas to Real World Solutions. Leading experts on a vast array of topics spanning human health and food security presented at the event.

March 28 – RETCC: Communicating Science in a Crisis

3:30-4:45 pm EDT, Webinar. One of the world’s foremost oil spill scientists, Chris Reddy, Ph.D., discussed communicating science in a crisis. His recent book, Science Communication in a Crisis: An Insider’s Guide, was created from Reddy’s commitment to make the science behind his work accessible and meaningful to the public. Dr. Reddy shared lessons learned on the front lines of oil spills and other marine disasters — lessons that have application for scientists in all fields who wish to communicate effectively in times of crisis, as well as for journalists, industry professionals, and public servants whose work involves clear, informed crisis communication. Click HERE for more information.

February

February 7 – Superfund Redevelopment Program

12:30-2:00 pm EST, Webinar. Hosted by the EPA, this webinar showcased the economic benefits of Superfund Redevelopment for communities across the country. Participants heard about creative strategies used in redevelopment projects in New England and the Mid-Atlantic. They also learned about collaborative approaches that help position sites for reuse and advance local economic development opportunities. This webinar was free of charge and open to the public. Click HERE to for more information.

February 8 – Diversity in STEM Symposium

9:00-2:00 pm EST, Talley Student Union and Zoom. Our theme for this symposium was “Creating a Community of Care.” The event featured sessions on topics related to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and well-being in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The 2024 symposium was offered in-person at Talley Student Union and streaming via Zoom. Admission was free and the event was open to faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, students, alumni and the general public.

February 20 – 8th Annual CHHE Symposium

8:30-5:00 pm EST, Talley Student Union. The 8th Annual Research Symposium: Perinatal Environmental Exposures and Later Life Disease: Biological Targets and Mechanisms. The symposium explored perinatal environmental exposures on later life disease, covering model systems, mechanisms, epidemiology, nutrition and socio- environmental stressors and featured invited speakers and CHHE member presentations on the topic. Dr. Antonia Calafat, with the Centers for Disease Control, was a guest speaker. Click HERE for more information.

February 21 – RETCC Seminar Announcement: The STEEP Challenge of PFAS

12:00-12:45 pm EST, Webinar. URI-STEEP hosted a talk by Prof. Rainer Lohmann, Professor of Oceanography and the Director of STEEP. The title of his talk was The STEEP Challenge of PFAS.

February 22 – 2024 NC PSI BRIDGE Symposium

1:30-5:00 pm EST, Plant Sciences Building. The N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative (PSI) implemented a new professional development opportunity for February 2024:  PSI BRIDGE (Bridging Research Ideas for Greater Extension) Symposium. Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars from any department were encouraged to apply. Industry leaders (Novozymes, BASF, Inari, SAS and Bayer), NC Extension representatives and faculty across the university were in attendance. Click HERE for more information.

February 26 – PCBs: The State of the Science

10:00-11:00 am EST, Zoom. NC State Superfund Research Program (SRP) is part of a national network of Centers that focus on different types of contaminants and environmental health topics. We invited our counterparts in Iowa, who focus explicitly on PCBs, to participate in an open Q&A session by Zoom to help answer questions you might have about the science of PCBs. Click HERE for more information.

February 27 – Toxicology Seminar Series – Jesse Goodrich

4:00-5:00 pm EST, Toxicology Building. Dr. Jesse Goodrich, with the University of Southern California, was the guest speaker and gave a seminar on: ‘Emerging Carcinogens: Using Multiomics to Interrogate the Role of PFAS in Liver Cancer Development.’

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.  To learn more, click HERE.

February 28 – FRTR Presents…Recent Advances in PFAS Characterization Technologies

1:00-3:00 pm EST, Webinar. This webinar included live deliveries of two presentations from the recent FRTR Fall meeting, with updated information: “Best Practices for PFAS Sampling and Evaluation” and “Clean Water Act Methods: Overview of EPA’s CWA PFAS Method Activities”.

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. This webinar allowed PFAS member agencies to share results of recent and on-going PFAS projects that are improving our understanding of PFAS characterization technologies. Click HERE for more information.

February 29 – ITRC PFAS Introductory Training

1:00-3:00 pm EST, Webinar. This training included emerging science on PFAS, and included topics such as Properties of PFAS, Fate and Transport, Sampling and Analysis, and Treatment Technologies. The technical presentations were focused on those who are relatively new to PFAS. The training lasted approximately 90 minutes and included time for questions. Click HERE for more information.

January

January 10 – Advancing the Science of PFAS Mixtures Assessment

3:00-4:30 pm EST, Webinar. Dr. Jason Lambert of the US EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD) presented “Advancing the Science of PFAS Mixtures Assessment” that discusses features of a draft “Framework for Estimating Noncancer Health Risks Associated with Mixtures of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).” The framework was developed by the US EPA ORD and Office of Water.

January 16 – Toxicology Seminar Series – Jane Hoppin

4:00-5:00 pm EST, 2104 Toxicology Building. Dr. Jane Hoppin, Professor – Biological Sciences at NC State University, was the guest speaker and gave a seminar on: “The IARC Process of Evaluating Potential Carcinogens: Recent Findings for PFOA and PFOS”.

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. To learn more, click HERE.

January 23-25 – The Science of PFAS: Chipping Away at the Details

7:30-5 pm EST, Sheraton Raleigh Hotel. The research around per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) continues to inch forward through the talents of all sectors working together to find answers and develop solutions. A&WMA continues this premier conference to bring together scientists, researchers, academics, practitioners, regulators, and the regulated community to further the conversation on the current state of PFAS science and solutions for the future. Click HERE for more information.