Duke University Program in Environmental Health

Duke University, Durham NC

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Environmental chemicals and stressors are major contributors to disease. Our ability to reduce harm is limited by uncertainties about exposure, poor understanding of the exposures or exposure mixtures that cause health effects and the mechanisms by which they do so, as well as by limited ability to remediate polluted sites and treat diseases. Interdisciplinary expertise is required to rigorously quantify exposure and health effects to assess and manage risk, and to develop novel tools for exposure reduction, remediation of polluted sites, and treatment of disease. The Duke University Program in Environmental Health (UPEH) rigorously prepares students for the complexity of research careers in environmental health by leveraging and integrating the highly complementary disciplinary strengths of Duke’s internationally-renowned Schools of Medicine, Environment, and Engineering, and Departments of Biology and Statistics. The UPEH is a critical, keystone element of Environmental Health research and training at Duke. It makes possible a larger, interdepartmental, transdisciplinary program called the Integrated Toxicology and Environmental Health Program, which was initially created in 1978 in the Duke Medical Center. By supporting predoctoral and postdoctoral training, the UPEH T32 creates a force-multiplying environment that trains many more PhD students and postdoctoral Environmental Health researchers than are supported financially by the T32. Importantly, Duke is fully invested in supporting this training program, offering very extensive support for Environmental Health training that complements the UPEH, and hosting twelve additional major environmental health-related centers and initiatives that enormously enrich the learning environment for our trainees. Finally, while the outstanding Duke UPEH faculty serve as primary advisors for trainees, the Program is further enriched by adjunct faculty and external advisors from our neighboring Research Triangle Park-based institutions such as the NIEHS, US EPA, and RTI, and our sister triangle universities (North Carolina Central University, NC State University, and UNC Chapel Hill). UPEH trainees receive high-quality training including: (1) development of essential research skillsets including content mastery in core disciplinary areas (Environmental Health, Toxicology, Exposure Science, Epidemiology, Environmental Engineering, etc.), quantitative methods (Biostatistics, Exposure Science Modelling, Big Data Analytics, etc.), and training in responsible conduct of research and rigorous and reproducible experimental design; (2) critical and creative thinking, and a research mindset focused on interdisciplinary problem-solving via cutting-edge, innovative research; and (3) knowledge, professional skills, and experiences required to identify and transition into environmental health careers. The UPEH fosters a supportive training environment in which all trainees can prosper, as evidenced by the success of alumni. Modified Section B6 There are no major changes to our proposed Goals and plans. However, there are several minor changes: The creation of an ITEHP (Integrated Toxicology and Environmental Health Program, the umbrella group that the UPEH T32 supports) Student Group. UPEH students have initiated, and received approval for, the formation of a student-led committee that aims to build on and improve culture within the department. Recommended structure and goals of the committee include: community-building aspect in which the committee can plan and execute events; planning two seminars per semester, including speaker selection; “About Me” portion of meeting for students and faculty to learn more about each others’ various backgrounds; participating in applicant recruitment at conferences; and electing a student representative to attend UPEH Executive Committee meetings. Postdoc recruitment. Because moving can be a barrier, we are considering recruiting PhD graduates from geographically proximate institutions like UNC, NC State, NCCU, NIEHS, and EPA where the candidate would not have to move. Oak Ridge National Lab, UT Knoxville, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, and East Carolina will also be included in the recruitment. We are also considering internal candidates. The UPEH Executive Committee agreed to allow an elected student representative from the ITEHP Student Group to attend its meetings, which are typically held one to two times per year. The committee hopes this will provide students with transparency in the decision-making process, insight into actionable items, and an opportunity to learn the innerworkings of running a university PhD program. Due to the success of the writing retreat held in June 2024, the DGS and DGSA plan to host a writing retreat again in the spring. Students will be able to dedicate time to writing or other PhD-related projects and individual consultations with the DGS will be offered. New faculty mentors: We are pleased to welcome three new faculty mentors: Jeseth Delgado Vela, PhD; Jillian Hurst, PhD; Andrew West, PhD.