Core I
Core II
Core III
Core IV
COEP
Administrative
Core
Facility Cores
Center Homepage
Center of Excellence at EOHSI
Research at EOHSI's NIEHS Center
The NIEHS Center for Environmental
Health Sciences, under the direction of Michael A. Gallo, Ph.D. and Kenneth
R. Reuhl, Ph.D., is the scientific engine that drives the research of
EOHSI. This past year, Dr. Reuhl replaced C.S. Yang, Ph.D. who served
as Deputy Director for the past five years. Dr. Yang continues as a key
advisor to the Center leadership. The NIEHS Center is one of only two
NIH-Designated Centers of Excellence in New Jersey, the other being the
Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Center members are funded from NIH, EPA,
DOD, DOE, NSF, State Agencies and the private sector. This broad base
of funding is healthy for a matrix center such as this one, and it serves
as a model for other NIEHS centers throughout the U.S. Senior scientists
continue with their well established programs, and junior faculty are
using the Center's Pilot Project Program to initiate work that has lead
to a remarkable increase in peer-reviewed federal funding. The four research
cores and the Community Outreach and Education Program (COEP) have recruited
new faculty bringing new expertise to the Center over the past year.
Four major initiatives have been supported by the Center over the past year: proteomics/ microarray/bioinformatics; diet and cancer prevention; toxicogenomics (susceptibility to disease through gene-environment interaction) and Biostatistics. The NIEHS Center has partnered with the Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) to purchase equipment and staff a microarray laboratory, develop biostatistics and continue to support our imaging facility and the nucleic acid sequencing facility. Several Center members are interacting with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigators on campus to better understand the roles signal transduction and structural biology play in the understanding of toxic responses involving gene-environment interactions. The Center provided Pilot Project funding to establish a susceptibility markers program that encompasses researchers from several Cores. The thrust of this program is to understand the role gene-environment interaction plays in susceptibility and disease manifestation. In addition, the Pilot Project Program initiated funding in proteomics under the direction of Paul Thomas, Ph.D. and behavioral toxicology under the direction of George Wagner, Ph.D.. Dr. C. S. Yang has established a Program Project on diet and cancer prevention that utilizes several of the Core Facilities of the Center and involves many Center members.
George Lambert, M.D. and Dr. Kenneth Reuhl received a very favorable review on a new effort to establish an NIEHS/EPA Center of Excellence on Child Health and the Environment. This Center is made up of members of the NIEHS Center and will focus on the role(s) of the environment and autism. When funded this will be the second NIH Center in the State affiliated with our NIEHS Center; the other being the CINJ.The facility cores continue to grow in activity and expertise through partnering and leveraging Center dollars with other facilities on campus. The Center has expanded its facility cores in molecular genetics/nucleic acid sequencing and DNA microarray under Terri Kinzy, Ph.D., K.V. Chin, Ph.D. and Suzie Chen, Ph.D.. Biostatistics and bioinformatics have been strengthened with the addition of Joe Shih, Ph.D.. A new confocal microscope has been added to the Imaging Core, and a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer and 2-D Gel technology have been added to enhance our efforts in analytical chemistry and proteomics under Dr. Paul Thomas and Brian Buckley, Ph.D. and Peter Lobel, Ph.D. of the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine (CABM).
The NIEHS Center had an excellent year with its members continuing their research programs and taking on new initiatives. A few of these highlights are listed below in the Core descriptions.
Core I researchers under the Direction of Drs. Suzie Chen and Paul Thomas emphasize the theme of the core which is "Environment-Gene Interactions. " The scientific goal of this Core is to understand the molecular role played by toxicants in disease. It aims to study and identify genes and proteins involved in cellular responses to environmental toxicants; to characterize alteration of expression of genes resulting from host responses to environmental factors; to identify important genetic polymorphisms and their functional significance associated with environmental response genes; and to use model systems for elucidation of functionally important environmental response genes.
The major focus of this core includes: identification and functional significance of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). This area is the focus of J.Y. Hong, Ph.D. Dr. Suzie Chen, using insertion of DNA constructed a transgenic mouse that developed early onset, spontaneous melanoma. The initial insertion of genomic DNA was thought to confer adipogenesis. However, do to insertional mutagenesis a 70 kb stretch of host DNA was deleted by insertion of the transgene. Dr. Chen has identified a significant molecular marker that is associated with the spontaneous malignant melanoma in this mouse. Hers is the first demonstration of such a marker in an animal model. The laboratory of Dr. Paul Thomas has focused on characterization of the P450 3A family of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes. The P450 3A family is responsible for the metabolism of over 50% of drugs and xenobiotics that have been examined. Dr. Thomas has developed antibodies that distinguish several rat and human forms of the protein. In addition, Dr. Thomas has taken the lead in founding and nurturing the new proteomics effort in the Center.
Dr. Brian Buckley is the Co-Director of the Chemical Analysis Facility Core whose goal is to provide chemical analysis expertise and instrumentation for Center investigators. The new initiatives that have developed within the Core, are centered around the sequencing and identification of proteins by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry . A new LC Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer (HPLC/ITMS) was recently purchased, that will be dedicated to protein sequencing analysis. The Core has also begun to explore the feasibility of identifying bacteria, by thermal hydrolysis and methylation of the cell's lipids using GC/ITMS (chemotaxonomy). Drs. Buckley, Lobel and Thomas initiated the utilization of proteomics-based mass spectrometry in the Center.
Dr. Suzie Chen's studies involve the characterization of genes involved in cell growth and differentiation. She has shown that specific DNA fragments induce a variety of fibroblast cells to undergo adipocyte differentiation. Dr. Chen, in collaboration with Dr. Reuhl of Core III, is using the transgenic mice as a model system to study the etiology, progression, metastasis, and treatment of melanoma. The aim is to develop a "marker" which could be used clinically in the early detection of melanoma development.
The research focus of Dr. Khew Voon Chin is on the development of drug resistance in cancer and the novel signaling mechanisms mediated by the regulatory subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Dr. Chin has shown that the development of drug resistance may be associated with the genetic alterations of tumor suppressors and oncogenes during tumorigenesis.
Dr. Jun-Yan Hong focuses his research activities on the functional characterization of genetic variants of human cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6) and of human 06-alkylguanine DNA-alkyltransferase (AGT). Dr. Hong has established a program in examining the prevalence and functional significance of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Cytochrome P450 genes. This research is aimed at differentiating susceptibility to disease based on molecular population markers..
Terri Goss Kinzy, Ph.D. joined Core I this past year. She has been pursuing the function of the Translation Elongation Factor 1 complex in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Her laboratory has demonstrated the suitability of this system as a model for metazoans by functionally complementing the essential catalytic subunit of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor , eEFlBa, with the human protein in vivo. Additionally, they have determined the structure of eEFlA with the catalytic fragment of eEFlBa. This fundamental research is a key addition to the Center and its goal to understand the role of stress in cellular toxicity.
Dr. George Lambert has studied the effects of chemicals on reproduction and development in animals and humans including the capacity of pregnancy and lactation to imprint cytochrome P450 isozymes. He is also studying the effects of these environmental chemicals in these cohorts on sexual development and reproduction. He is presently enlarging his studies to include examining the effects of intrauterine exposure to these chemicals on sexual maturation and reproductive function in young adults. Drs. Gallo (Core II), and Lambert developed yeast strains with the estrogen receptors and , and the progesterone receptor coupled to reporter genes for use as a tool to screen exposure to hormone mimicking (primarily estrogen-like) chemicals in the environment.
Dr. Peter Lobel's research focuses on studies of lysosomes and associated human genetic disorders (e.g. Tay-Sachs disease) where loss of function of a single lysosomal enzyme can lead to lysosomal storage of lipids and subsequent severe health problems including neurodegeneration, progressive mental retardation, and early death. Dr. Lobel has pioneered novel protein-based approaches to identify the molecular basis for lysosomal storage disorders of unknown etiology and has used these approaches to identify the disease genes in late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (LINCL) and Niemann-Pick Type C2 disease (NPC2).
Dr. Paul E. Thomas, Co-Director of Core I and the Director of the Proteomics and Antibody Facility Core, has established a novel Proteomics Core for the Center that combines protein biochemistry with the identification of the functional significance of specific isozymes of the cytochrome P450 superfamily. This past year Dr. Thomas has focused on the regulation of the P450 3A family of isozymes. The 3A family has been shown to be important in metabolism and elimination of a large number of pharmaceuticals and xenobiotics.
This past year, Jay A. Tischfield, Ph.D. joined Core I. His primary research interests have included studies of both somatically heritable and transient genetic changes in somatic cells that predispose to disease in humans. In addition, he has been engaged in several large projects whose ultimate goal is the identification of genes that have major contributions to complex oligogenic disorders. He has shown that the major mechanisms for Loss of Heterozygosity (LOH) in normal cells are mitotic recombination followed by point mutation. Thus, he is investigating genes (e.g., Tp53, TGFB2, Msh2) and environmental agents that may affect these processes.
Core II, Environmental Effects on Signal Transduction under the direction of Jeffrey Laskin, Ph.D. and Marion Gordon, Ph.D. focuses on areas of investigation related to how xenobiotics modulate or interfere with cellular signal transduction processes. The unifying research theme of the Core is the elucidation of the mechanisms by which xenobiotics interfere with cellular signal transduction processes. Understanding altered signaling pathways has led to new ideas that are potentially useful for preventing toxicity and may lead to improved methods for evaluating risked from chemical exposure.
Research areas range from examining the interaction of xenobiotics with cell surface receptors and membrane proteins, to studying receptor-associated protein kinases, transcription factors, and interaction of metabolites with DNA. Specific areas of investigation include: the analysis of mechanisms by which: xenobiotics alter membrane receptors; xenobiotic transporters and multidrug resistance proteins operate; oxidants induce alterations in signaling pathways utilizing protein kinases and phosphatases; reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen intermediates affect cellular signaling; polyamines modulate cellular signaling; xenobiotics-induce alterations in transcription factors; xenobiotics interact with DNA; and xenobiotics alter cell cycle control. The highlights of research with specific chemicals include: the findings that carbon tetrachloride is a potent activator of specific collagens in rat hepatocytes; ozone treatment of rats stimulates the formation of pulmonary nitric oxide; silica induces alterations in matrix gene expression; the chemical photosensitizer psoralen inhibits epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase activity in skin cells; the potent environmental toxin dioxin interacts with the transcription factor NF-KB for biological activity; and stimulates nitric oxide production.
Dr. Marion Gordon has established a research program in collagen biology, building on her expertise and collaboration with Manuel Koch of Harvard Medical School, Mass. General Hospital. She has discovered 3 new collagens (types XX, XXIII, and XXIV). Dr. Gordon's laboratory has also been examining hypertensive arteries for the expression of EMMPRIN, a molecule that induces matrix degrading metalloproteinases. Her results have shown that EMMPRIN is up-regulated in arteries where the hypertension is relieved, allowing remodeling to occur. In addition, they have found that the vascular endothelial cells, which are vital to the recovery process, make a splice variant of EMMPRIN that has never before been identified.
Donald Gerecke, Ph.D. works on the role of FACIT collagens in pulmonary hypertension, in bleomycin induced lung fibrosis, and in carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis. FACIT collagens sit on the surface of collagen I fibrils, and prevent fibril growth. His hypothesis is that FACIT collagen type XIV is used biologically to maintain the specific diameters of collagen fibrils, so as to provide proper tissue resiliency. He has shown that collagen XIV is reduced in hypertensive arteries and in liver with progressive fibrosis.
The laboratories of Debra Laskin, Ph.D. have been investigating the role of macrophages and inflammatory mediators in hepatotoxicity induced by the analgesic, acetaminophen and pulmonary toxicity of inhaled ozone. Using pharmacologic and transgenic approaches, they have demonstrated that macrophages contribute to tissue damage in both of these models, and that reactive nitrogen intermediates including nitric oxide and peroxynitrite are major inflammatory mediators involved in the pathogenic process. A second major discovery is that heat shock protein 60 (HSP 60) is a key endogenous mediator of nitric oxide production by resident macrophages and of tissue injury following acetaminophen or ozone treatment of mice. HSP 60 is rapidly upregulated in these tissues after toxicant exposure. Moreover, HSP 60 effectively stimulates nitric oxide production by macrophages. Furthermore, macrophage nitric oxide production and toxicity are markedly reduced in mice expressing a mutated receptor for HSP 60, the Toll-Like Receptor-4 (TLR-4). Experiments are being carried out to test the hypothesis that HSP 60 contributes to toxicity by stimulating the release of proinflammatory cytokines from resident tissue macrophages and by synergizing with these mediators to induce nitric oxide production.Thresia Thomas, Ph.D. explores cellular and molecular mechanisms of cell growth by endogenous hormones and exogenous toxicants and develops novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. A major goal of the Thomas laboratory is to elucidate the role of polyamines in signal transduction leading to cell growth and cell death. This research has led to the identification of a series of polyamine analogs with anti-proliferative effects on breast cancer cells. A major environmental concern for the past several decades involve the 'endocrine disruptors', a term used for the many environmental contaminants with similarities to estradiol in structure or function. In collaboration with Drs. Gallo and Yanan Tian, Dr. Thomas investigated alterations in the transcription of ER by dioxin. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), they demonstrated transcriptional suppression of ER by dioxin, thereby providing a mechanistic explanation for the down-regulation of ER in dioxin-treated animals Additionally the Thomas labporatory has made exciting progress in elucidating the contribution and mechanism of estradiol metabolites in breast cancer incidence. Dr. Thomas has recently initiated experiments on the mechanism of estrogenic action using the microarray based gene expression profiling. This study is being conducted in collaboration with Dr. K. V. Chin of the Cancer Institute of New Jersey as well as Dr. Gallo. The purpose of this study is to generate a microarray based assay for the determination of estrogenic potency.
Core III , Neural and Developmental Toxicology, under the direction of George Wagner, Ph.D. and Renping Zhou, Ph.D. is the focus of mechanistic research in neural and developmental toxicology in the Center. The specific goals of Core III are to characterize the degree to which distinct regions of the nervous system exhibit a differential sensitivity to certain environmental toxicants; to identify the critical periods during nervous system development when these compounds exert their most potent effects; to elucidate the molecular and cellular changes which occur during development which are responsible for the enhanced sensitivity to toxicants; to examine the degree to which this developmental and regional sensitivity to toxicants might relate to or serve as models for human neurological disease or behavior impairment; and most importantly, to provide, on a collaborative basis, the expertise, facilities and training to investigators outside the Core for the examination of molecular, cellular, morphological and functional endpoints in neurotoxicological studies.
Emanuel DiCicco-Bloom, Ph.D. joined the Core this past year. His research has focused on mechanisms regulating the generation of distinct neuronal populations during brain development, and defining the role of both stimulatory and inhibitory extracellular factors. To study these issues, Dr. DiCicco-Bloom has used model systems composed of neuronal precursors examined as virtually pure populations of isolated in cell culture, or as specific brain regions localized to proliferative tissue zones.
Frederick C. Kauffman, Ph.D. has been active in the area of neural metabolism and biochemistry for many years, and has worked extensively on disruption of energy metabolism by neurotoxic chemicals. His recent research has been aimed at elucidating the role of sulfation and desulfation of neurosteroids in brain. Herbert E. Lowndes, Ph.D. is studying the responses of the nervous system to toxic chemicals. Early studies were directed towards understanding the physiological bases of the neurological impairments following neurotoxic exposure, particularly deficits contributing to altered sensory-motor and spinal reflex function.
Sally Meiners, Ph.D. is conducting research to understand how the growth and regeneration of central nervous system neurons is modulated by interactions with extracellular matrix molecules, in particular the extracellular matrix molecule tenascin-C. Oleg Mirochnitchenko, Ph.D. is another new member of the Core. He has been interested in the important role for reactive oxygen species in numerous pathological conditions. Dr. George Wagner's major area of research has been the use of animal models of autism and Parkinson's disease. Specifically, he has been interested in characterizing the neurochemical and behavioral consequences following exposure to dopaminergic toxicants in developing and aging rats and mice. He has also examined sex-related differences in sensitivity to these compounds. Recently, his laboratory has taken a significant turn toward functional genomics by the study of the neurobehavioral effects of genetic alterations in mice, especially in the context of behavioral toxicology. Together with Dr . Zhou, this work focused on the development of brain dopamine neurons demonstrating that one of the most important signals required for activation of the Eph family of axon guidance molecules is brain dopamine itself. Specifically, it was demonstrated that neonatal lesions of brain dopaminergic pathways depleted brain dopamine and caused a corresponding decrease in the expression of Eph1 receptor. Conversely, it was demonstrated that neonatal or prenatal activation of brain dopamine caused an increased expression of Eph1. Taken together, these observations indicate that the neurotransmitter dopamine is essential for the expression of the Eph1 expression and that early exposure to toxins and toxicants could alter the growth and targeting of developing dopaminergic neurons. This may be very important for the understanding of the behavioral abnormalities of humans exposed early in life to such compounds.
Dr. Renping Zhou's major area of research is in understanding how the nervous system develops and how toxic compounds affect this process. Dr. Zhou's laboratory has shown that growth factors and receptors belonging to the Eph family play critical roles in the development of multiple neural system, including the hippocampus, the midbrain dopaminergic pathways, and the spinal cord neural circuits. These molecules interact with each other, directing the projection of axons to the correct targets, mostly through repulsive interactions. His studies on the development of the midbrain dopaminergic pathways showed that the Eph family receptors and ligands are likely to be key regulators in the development of distinct dopaminergic pathways, responsible for brain reward, addiction, and Parkinson's disease. This research may lead to a better understanding of how dopaminergic neural circuits form and help to design treatment approaches using neural transplantation for Parkinson's research.
The research portfolio of Core IV, Exposure Analysis and Health Effects Research Core includes pharmacokinetic modeling studies, biological markers of inhaled or dermally absorbed volatile organics, the bioavailability, bioaccessibility of metals or radionuclides within the digestive system, and population based human exposure and epidemiological studies. The research explores relatively broad or specific mechanisms of exposure. It also examines exposure-response relationships in individuals and populations at risk, or in sentinel animal systems. Core IV is directed by Paul Lioy, Ph.D. and George Rhoads, M.D., M.P.H. During this past year, Glenn Greene Ph.D., MD, MPH and Mark Robson, Ph.D., MPH, joined the Core
The themes of the Core include: Children and Specific Adult Populations: Exposure and Epidemiology; Controlled Exposure/Clinical and Health Effects Studies; and Models: Exposure and Dose and PBPK. The genera1 purpose of the Core and its members is to conduct research on the theory and methods required to understand human health outcomes derived from exposure to environmental contaminants. The specific aims are to: conduct environmental exposure and environmental epidemiological studies; conduct clinical studies of physiological and psychological predictors and outcomes from exposures; develop models of exposure and dose to a toxicant that is received by a target population of individuals, or by an organ system; and Develop and employ physical, chemical and biological markers of exposure and effect.
A major research activity in Core IV is interventions and exposure analyses for pesticides and metals in homes. These studies have demonstrated the importance of household dust as a potential point of contact for residents with significant quantities of pesticides or lead. The mechanisms of exposure are highly dependent upon the types, duration, and frequency of contact with either chemical. This past year, for example, the New Jersey Assessment of Cleaning Techniques (NJACT) Study which is led by Drs. Rhoads, Zhang and Lioy is continuing to evaluate different methods that were applied to household cleaning in order to reduce children's exposure to residential lead dust. Testing was done in 127 homes that had children with elevated blood lead levels. The practical method the researchers proposed involved using household vacuums and detergents. It was as effective as the method recommended by the Department of Housing and Urban Planning in cleaning hard floors, windowsills, wells, and carpets. This finding suggests that thorough cleaning is a key to interim control of lead exposure, regardless of use of vacuum cleaners or detergents.
In a study being funded by EPA and Dow Agro, Drs. Natalie Freeman and Paul Lioy are studying children's residential exposure to pesticides after residential crack and crevice application of a commonly used household pesticide. This study tracks the changes in pesticide exposure of nine toddlers from before a single routine pesticide application through a period of four weeks following application. Environmental samples, hand rinses from children, clothing and toy dosimeters, and biomarkers of exposure are being analyzed for chlorpyrifos. In addition, videotaped observations of the children in the home are obtained to characterize the children's activities and identify specific contacts with environmental surfaces from which environmental samples are obtained. As part of an EPA STAR grant, Dr. Stuart Shalat and Dr. Freeman are studying the role of activity patterns on 60 infants and toddlers exposure to pesticides. The study is being completed in Rio Bravo, a colonnia on the US/Mexico border. In this study, the primary source of residential pesticides is agricultural use near the homes, and secondarily from residential uses. The collection of environmental samples, hand rinses, biomarkers of exposure, and videotaped observations are similar to the post application study described above. In the Rio Bravo study the children are followed over four growing seasons which will allow researchers to monitor exposure to different pesticides depending on season and crop rotation and observe developmental changes that occur in these children that may influence their exposure.
Dr. Joanna Burger has found that the consumption patterns and levels of mercury in fish from the Savannah River in South Carolina are such that African Americans are exposed to higher contaminant loads than whites, and some individuals consume far more than the allowable limits. Evaluation of lead mercury and cadmium in the feathers of Common Terns from Barnegat Bay (NJ) indicate that cadmium and lead decreased from 1971 to 1999. However, Mercury levels have begun to rise, perhaps in response to energy deregulation and atmospheric deposition.
Led by Drs. Jim Zhang and Paul Lioy, a series of experiments was conducted to investigate the potential for secondary aerosol formation in indoor air as a result of the reaction of ozone with d-limonene, a compound commonly used in air fresheners. Measurable particle formation and growth occurred almost exclusively in the 0.1 - 0.2 um and 0.2 - 0.3 um size fractions in all of the experiments. The results of this study were published in the December 2000 issue of Environmental Health Perspectives, show a clear potential for significant particle concentrations to be produced in indoor environments as a result of secondary particle formation via the ozone-limonene reaction. Since people spend the majority of their time indoors, secondary particles formed in indoor environments may make a significant contribution to overall particle exposure. This study provides data for assessing the impact of outdoor ozone on indoor particles.
Drs. Howard Kipen and Nancy Fiedler continue their ground breaking work on Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS). MCS is viewed by many as a completely psychogenic phenomenon. Researchers tested odor perception in subjects with MCS, and found no difference in odor thresholds to olfactory (phenylethyl alcohol, PEA) and trigeminal (pyridine) stimuli when compared to asthmatic and healthy normal control groups. While MCS subjects reported many more unpleasant symptoms after exposure to the PEA, in a dose-response fashion, all groups reported similar levels of symptoms to the unpleasant pyridine. Thus, MCS subjects, while reporting heightened responses compared to controls, do not respond indiscriminately to nasal stimuli.
In the Spring of 2001 , Dr . Greene, received a five-year Mentored Patient Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23), from the NIEHS, for investigations of Nasal Responses to Airborne Environmental Chemicals. His research plan focuses on adverse symptomatic responses associated with low-level exposures to environmental chemicals, a phenomenon which recent epidemiological evidence suggests may affect 616% of the U.S. population and may lead to significant morbidity and economic loss. These responses have been associated with conditions ranging from chemical sensitivity (CS) to Persian Gulf War Illnesses and have been reported in communities near sources of pollution or following chemical releases. Little is known about specific mechanisms of action that may be involved, and few controlled experiments have been performed. Involvement of the olfactory system has often been assumed but has not been demonstrated experimentally. He wants to elucidate potential toxicological mechanisms contributing to the symptomatology of CS and to use those results to design therapeutic or preventive interventions.
The Center's Community Outreach Education Program (COEP) builds on the broad experience of several members of the Center. The COEP under the continued direction of Dr. Audrey Gotsch and Laura Hemminger has expanded to new heights and is the exemplar for COEPs throughout the NIEHS family of Centers. The COEP focus is to improve the environmental health literacy of youth and educators, and assist communities to identify and address environmental health issues of concern to its residents and provide health care providers with short training courses that address environmental health issues. The overall goals of the COEP are to provide accurate, unbiased information about environmental health risks based on state-of-the-art research with specific links to the research conducted by Center investigators; develop school-based programs to enhance K-9 curricula in environmental health; develop educational tools that help people make health promoting decisions about the environment, individually and at the workplace, school or community level; and provide training for health care professionals and workers to upgrade competencies related to environmental health.
In 2000, the second year of training was conducted under the NIEHS Center COEP's ToxRApTM Education and Training Program (TETP). The NIEHS Center COEP is collaborating with nine (three per year) Resource Education Training Centers (RETC). The workshops enable classroom teachers to educate students to evaluate environmental health problems using a risk assessment framework and the principles of toxicology, exposure assessment and industrial hygiene. In addition, this program focuses on increasing student awareness of toxicology as a scientific discipline and career while enhancing classroom implementation of national science education standards.
The NIEHS Center COEP/SWEHSC also completed the TOxRApTM Network, a four year train-the-trainer initiative. Approximately 800 teachers and 20,000 students benefited from this program, representing 27 school districts and educational organizations from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina. Oregon, and South Carolina; an additional 350 teachers may be reached in upcoming workshop opportunities.
The Environmental Health Sciences Training and Education Program (EH-STEP) was initiated in 2000 with funding from the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand upon the success realized during TETPs first year of implementation. This three-year grant is funded under NCRR's Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) Program. EH-STEP focuses on disseminating the complete, three-part ToxRAPTM curriculum series as well as additional environmental health sciences curricula and increasing the number of teachers and students reached from TETP . The overall goal of EH-STEP is to enhance science and math education in K -12d1 grade classrooms and improve students' scientific literacy with the dissemination of EHS curricula through teacher professional development initiatives provided by RETCs.
In 2000, support from NIEHS was received to fund the SUC2ES2 Students Understanding Critical Connections between the Environment, Society and Self) program. SUC2ES2 represents a partnership between COEP and the Woodbridge Township (NJ) School District. SUC2ES2 is one of only nine projects nationwide selected to receive funding under the NIEHS Environmental Health Science as Integrative Context for Learning-NIH initiative. Over the next seven years, SUC2ES2 will impact approximately 11,000 students and 180 teachers in the Woodbridge Township School District.
The NIEHS Center COEP received an Administrative Supplement from NIEHS in 2000, for a new project, "Training Teachers, Reaching Students: The Spanish Bilingual ToxRAPTM Initiative." The goal of this program is to improve the quality of environmental health sciences (EHS) education in K-6 Spanish bilingual classrooms in New Jersey. In addition, this initiative aims to increase Spanish-speaking students' scientific literacy by disseminating award-winning, culturally appropriate and innovative EHS curricula through professional development programs for bilingual teachers. This one-year initiative will partner COEP with at least three New Jersey .school districts, ultimately enhancing the capacity of 80 K-6th grade bilingual teachers to deliver EHS education in their classrooms. In turn, approximately 1,500 Spanish-speaking students will learn to reduce their exposure to potential pollutants, as well as gain basic education skills.
| For more information about the EOHSI International Health Center, contact: Maudie Woods, woods@eohsi.rutgers.edu Phone: 445-4161 |
|
 |
Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, 170 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854 Phone: 732-445-0200 For additional information contact webmaster@eohsi.rutgers.edu |
Updated on Wednesday, June 19, 2002