Regulatory Science in Environmental Health and Toxicology

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PROJECT DESCRIPTION Regulatory Science in Environmental Health and Toxicology This proposal is to continue the T32 program in “Regulatory Science in Environmental Health and Toxicology” at Texas A&M University. Funds are requested to support eight pre-doctoral (Ph.D. candidates) and two post- doctoral trainees in the existing highly integrated degree-granting Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology program. Our goal remains to prepare trainees to function as independent researchers and/or practitioners in a multidisciplinary setting, by providing training in mechanistic research and risk assessment with a focus on scientifically sound, risk-based regulatory evaluations of the effects of drugs and other chemicals on human health and the environment. To achieve this goal, didactic and research experiences are offered by a team of 20 outstanding investigators who specialize in mechanistic toxicology, community engagement, exposure assessment/environmental chemistry, public policy, epidemiology, biomedical engineering, and data science and modeling. Recruitment is conducted through traditional external advertisement and professional societies, as well as from a number of existing Texas A&M programs that offer research experience for undergraduates, and public health and toxicology masters-level traineeship. Pre-doctoral trainees undertake two laboratory rotations in their first year in the program and follow a structured core academic curriculum that includes basic and advanced toxicology, histopathology, pharmacology, biostatistics and research ethics, combined with courses in risk assessment and exposure assessment. In the second year, additional specialized training is offered through elective courses that further prepare trainees for careers in research and/or public health practice. Distinctive features of the program are (i) a strongly encouraged hands-on summer externship through a broad and diverse network of state and federal governmental regulatory agencies, companis and non- governmental organizations; and (ii) a series of special programs in the form of boot camps and special workshops on a wide range of trainee-selected topics (scientific writing, presentation, interview skills, disaster research and data science). Following the first two years, trainee support for both pre- and post-doctoral fellows shifts to their mentor’s or independent funding. All mentors have strong records of competitive support from Federal, State and other sources and this group of mentors is exceptionally well balanced with respect to relevant scientific expertise, sex and academic career level. Graduates from the program are highly successful in academia, and sought-after by employers in the industry, governmental agencies and other professional settings. Our trainees improve public health protection through innovative and rigorous mechanistic research and risk assessment practice in support of rigorous scientific evidence-based regulatory decision-making.