This Superfund Research Program (SRP) Progress in Research webinar series highlights promising research from SRP Centers awarded grants in 2017. In this session, awardees from University of Louisville, University of New Mexico, and University of Washington will describe their research projects, accomplishments, and next steps.

The University of Louisville SRP Center studies the cardiometabolic effects of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) that are of high relevance to human health. Center researchers are conducting studies to unravel critical pathways of toxicity of VOCs found at Superfund and related sites. Center researchers are also creating new technologies to detect VOCs at low levels in air to enable future exposure assessment activities.

The University of New Mexico Metal Exposure and Toxicity Assessment on Tribal Lands in the Southwest SRP Center (UNM METALS) focuses on risk reduction for Native Americans exposed to hazardous metals mixtures from abandoned uranium mine waste. UNM METALS emphasizes site-specific physical, mineralogic, and biogeochemical properties of the waste that alter immune function and DNA repair in tribal populations. They are also developing and testing novel cost-effective metals immobilization and removal strategies to reduce exposure risks in ways compatible with tribal culture.

The University of Washington SRP Center is investigating the mechanisms and ramifications of metal neurotoxicity in humans and aquatic species. They are developing biological markers predictive of exposure, neurotoxic injury, and genetic determinants that underlie susceptibility to cadmium and manganese. They are also exploring the biogeochemical factors that govern the fate of metals, such as arsenic, in the environment.

Presenters:

Sanjay Srivastava, Ph.D., University of Louisville (sanjay@louisville.edu or 502-852-5834)
Sanjay Srivastava, Ph.D., is a professor at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He directs the University of Louisville SRP Center, which focuses on the effects of volatile organic chemical exposure on cardiometabolic disease as it relates etiologically to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and fatty liver disease. His research focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of atherosclerosis, the effects of new and emerging tobacco products on vascular toxicity and inflammation, and cardiometabolic toxicity of volatile organic compounds. Srivastava received his Ph.D. from Lucknow University in India and did a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

Aruni Bhatnagar, Ph.D., University of Louisville (aruni@louisville.edu or 502-852-5966)
Aruni Bhatnagar, Ph.D., is a professor in the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He directs the University of Louisville Diabetes and Obesity Center and leads the University of Louisville SRP Center Research Translation Core. The major focus of his research is to elucidate the mechanisms by which oxidative stress affects cardiovascular function. In particular, he is interested in the role of lipid peroxidation as a contributor to myocardial ischemic injury and atherosclerosis. His research interests also include cardiovascular toxicity of environmental aldehydes. Several ubiquitous pollutants such as gasoline vapor, car exhaust, smoke, and smog contain significant amounts of reactive aldehydes. Similar aldehydes are also generated during the metabolism of pollutants such as butadiene, vinyl chloride and allylamine and cardiotoxic drugs such as cylcophosphamide and adriamycin. These aldehydes are related, in structure and toxicity, to those generated endogenously during lipid peoxidation. Thus, his work on the lipid peroxidation-derived aldehydes bears significance for understanding the cardiovascular effects of environmental aldehydes. Bhatnagar received his Ph.D. from Kanpur University in India and completed a fellowship at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

Jay Turner, Washington University in St. Louis (jrturner@wustl.edu or 314-935-5480)
Jay Turner, Ph.D., is a professor and vice dean for education at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Engineering and Applied Science. As part of the University of Louisville SRP Center, he leads a project to examine the spatiotemporal variability of volatile organic compounds in urban residential neighborhoods, Superfund sites, and industrial areas. His research focuses on air quality characterization and management with emphasis on field measurements and data analysis to support a variety of applications in the atmospheric science, regulation and policy, and health studies arenas. Turner is a 2003 recipient of WashU's Distinguished Faculty Award. He is a five-time recipient of the School of Engineering and Applied Science Professor of the Year Award and in 2013 he received the inaugural Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching. Turner is past president of the American Association for Aerosol Research (AAAR). He currently serves on the United States Environmental Protection Agency chartered Science Advisory Board and chairs the Science and Technological Achievement Awards Committee.

Johnnye Lewis, Ph.D., University of New Mexico (jlewis@cybermesa.com or 505-272-4853)
Johnnye Lewis, Ph.D., is professor at the University of New Mexico (UNM). She directs the UNM SRP Center focused on risk reduction for Native Americans exposed to hazardous metals mixtures from abandoned uranium mine waste. She has an extensive track record of research funding and publications in the areas of inhalation toxicology and neurotoxicology, as well as community outreach activities, environmental justice, and community education. Lewis received her doctorate in Pharmacology from the University of Manitoba, in Winnipeg, Canada in 1989 subsequent to her M.S. in Psychology from the University of Victoria, Canada in 1976 and her B.S. in Psychology from Miami University in Ohio in 1970.

Jose Cerrato, Ph.D., University of New Mexico (jcerrato@unm.edu or 505-277-0870)
Jose Cerrato, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the department of civil, construction, and environmental engineering at the University of New Mexico. As part of the University of New Mexico SRP Center, he leads a project focused on developing cost-effective remediation strategies that immobilize metals and prevent degradation of community water sources. Cerrato's research interest is related to biogeochemical processes at the interface of water and energy that affect the cycle of metals and radionuclides in the environment. He leads the E-H₂O Research Group which applies spectroscopy, microscopy, aqueous chemistry, and molecular biology tools for the study of complex environmental interactions. Dr. Cerrato was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Washington University in St. Louis. He has been a recipient of the OAS- LASPAU-Fulbright Scholarship, National Science Foundation (NSF) Integrative Graduate Education Research Traineeship (IGERT), Oak Ridge Associated Universities Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award, the University of New Mexico Faculty of Color Research Award, and the NSF CAREER Award.

Evan Gallagher, Ph.D., University of Washington (evang3@u.washington.edu or 206-616-4739)
Evan Gallagher, Ph.D., joined the faculty of the University of Washington in 2004 as Sheldon D. Murphy Associate Professor of Toxicology. Gallagher directs the UW SRP Center, a multi-investigator and multi-institutional center funded by NIEHS that addresses the effects of neurotoxic chemicals on ecological and human health. In addition to his SRP activities, he is also an active member of the UW Center for Ecogenetics and Environmental Heath and the UW training grant in Environmental Pathology and Toxicology. Gallagher is a member of the Society of Toxicology as well as the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. He maintains an active research and teaching program focused on chemical injury in aquatic organisms, and using approaches that integrates molecular, biochemical physiological and behavioral endpoints. Accordingly, students and post-docs in Dr. Gallagher's laboratory potentially have the opportunity to work in the areas of comparative toxicology of aquatic organisms, and also using fish models to address the environmental impacts of chemical exposures on human health.

Tom Burbacher, Ph.D., University of Washington (tmb@uw.edu or 206-685-1862)
Thomas Burbacher, Ph.D., is professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the University of Washington where he teaches classes in basic environmental and occupational health. He is the head of the Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences and director of the Infant Primate Research Laboratory at the UW National Primate Research Center. He is also the head of the Developmental Toxicology Research Emphasis Area at the Center on Human Development and Disability (CHDD) and serves as the director of the Research Translation and Community Engagement Cores for the UW SRP Center. Burbacher holds a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the University of Washington. His postdoctoral work included research in Developmental Toxicology in the Environmental Pathology Training Program at the UW. Burbacher's research investigates changes in brain development and function caused by prenatal exposure to neuroactive substances. His research reaches across species, including studies with human populations and a variety of animal models, to enhance a fundamental understanding of toxicants and their role in biological and behavioral development.

Moderators:

Danielle Carlin, Ph.D., D.A.B.T., Superfund Research Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (danielle.carlin@nih.gov or 984-287-3244)
Danielle Carlin, Ph.D., D.A.B.T., is a health scientist administrator with the NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP). Her position consists of providing guidance and advice to grantees applying for SRP Center grants, and serving as the lead liaison between SRP trainees and the various training opportunities offered by SRP. She also oversees the xenobiotic metabolism and asbestos grant portfolios (e.g., R01s). Her current research interests include chemical mixtures, combined exposures, metals, asbestos, and xenobiotic metabolism. Prior to her current position, she was a post-doctoral researcher for four years at the University of North Carolina: two years within the Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics, studying aerosolized drugs/vaccines for treatment and prevention of tuberculosis; and two years within the Curriculum in Toxicology conducting her research at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in Research Triangle Park, N.C., where she studied the toxicological effects of exposure to Libby amphibole asbestos in the rat model. She received her Ph.D. in 2005 from Kansas State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Physiology. She also has a B.S. and M.S. in animal science from New Mexico State University.

Jean Balent, U.S. EPA Technology Innovation and Field Services Division (balent.jean@epa.gov or 202-566-0832)
Ms Balent is on the staff of the EPA's Technology Innovation and Field Services Division where she has worked to collect and disseminate hazardous waste remediation and characterization information since 2003. Ms Balent manages the Clean Up Information Network website and actively supports online communication and collaboration resources available to EPA. She formerly worked with the US Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Engineering Division in the Buffalo District. Ms Balent was also a member of the SUNY-Buffalo Groundwater Research Group where she constructed and tested large scale models of groundwater flow. Ms Balent has also conducted research relating to the Great Lakes, environmental remediation, and brownfields re-development. She holds a Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering from SUNY-Buffalo and a Master's degree in Information Technology from AIU.

Webinar Slides and References:

• Slide Presentation for University of Louisville SRP Center:
  • Adobe Acrobat format (6.47MB/PDF)
  • Microsoft PowerPoint format (9.67MB/PPTX)
• Slide Presentation for University of New Mexico Metal Exposure and Toxicity Assessment on Tribal Lands in the Southwest SRP Center:
  • Adobe Acrobat format (11.1MB/PDF)
  • Microsoft PowerPoint format (16.8MB/PPTX)
• Slide Presentation for University of Washington SRP Center:
  • Adobe Acrobat format (17.3MB/PDF)
  • Microsoft PowerPoint format (17.9MB/PPTX)

Webinar Slides and References:

• Slide Presentation for University of Louisville SRP Center:
  • Adobe Acrobat format (6.47MB/PDF)
  • Microsoft PowerPoint format (9.67MB/PPTX)
• Slide Presentation for University of New Mexico Metal Exposure and Toxicity Assessment on Tribal Lands in the Southwest SRP Center:
  • Adobe Acrobat format (11.1MB/PDF)
  • Microsoft PowerPoint format (16.8MB/PPTX)
• Slide Presentation for University of Washington SRP Center:
  • Adobe Acrobat format (17.3MB/PDF)
  • Microsoft PowerPoint format (17.9MB/PPTX)

Additional Resources:

• University of Louisville SRP Center
• University of New Mexico Metal Exposure and Toxicity Assessment on Tribal Lands in the Southwest SRP Center
• University of Washington SRP Center