Research Experience and Training Coordination Core (RETCC)

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT - RESEARCH EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING COORDINATION CORE The major scientific theme of the University of Rhode Island (URI)-led STEEP (Sources, Transport, Exposure and Effects of PFAS) Center is to provide solutions to aid the NIH Superfund Research Program (SRP) in addressing emerging per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), reducing human exposure, training, and engaging affected communities. The STEEP Research Experience and Training Coordination Core (RETCC) will provide pre- and post-doctoral level trainees with resources and opportunities to become skilled scientists/engineers, equipped to address various aspects of emerging contaminants, specifically the scientific, remediation, community, and translational facets of PFAS. To do so, STEEP has assembled a competent group of scientists, engineers, and professionals from URI, Harvard University, and Silent Spring Institute. RETCC will capitalize on the multi-institutional strengths of the STEEP team, centered on emerging contaminants, and proposes innovative and interdisciplinary training activities. In STEEP II, all trainees will participate in at least one of four new Trainee Action Centered Teams In Communities (TACTIC), focused on: (i) high-school pedagogy, (ii) research translation; (iii) science-policy support; and (iv) community engagement and outreach. The four STEEP research projects involve seven PIs/senior investigators and RETCC will maintain 10-12 fully supported graduate students as primary STEEP predoctoral trainees throughout the grant cycle. Additional graduate students will be supported as secondary STEEP trainees using Center funds for a total of 25 graduate trainees. In addition, two STEEP fellowships supporting students from underrepresented groups will be added through the URI Graduate School Minority Program (see “Institutional Commitment”). These graduate trainees are expected to be engaged fully in our rigorous and engaging interdisciplinary training activities (see “Proposed Training”). STEEP II also expects to support 4-6 postdoctoral trainees over the entire five-year funding period. Overall, STEEP II will provide a rich interdisciplinary training experience that brings together trainees from diverse scientific fields, including oceanography, public health, pharmacy, engineering, biostatistics, and computer science, empowering them to be change makers and problem-solvers. STEEP II trainees will be the next generation of scientists in hazardous substance research who can advance public policy, regulatory science, chemistry safety, and human health protection.