Center for Appalachian Research in Environmental Sciences

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PROJECT SUMMARY – Overall The University of Kentucky Center for Appalachian Research in Environmental Sciences (UK-CARES) will build on our early successes, capitalize on lessons learned, and enhance our mission through a dual focus on better understanding exposure pathways and emerging environmental health threats and optimizing research translation. Our Mission is to focus on exposure pathways to better match with community concerns and to emphasize research translation. Our Values reflect strong, multidirectional community-academic partnerships, with a renewed commitment to meaningful processes, procedures, and policies that respect and promote diversity, equity, and inclusivity. Responsible conduct of research is at the foundation of our Center, appreciating the essential value of rigorous and reproducible multidisciplinary team science. Our goals are to (a) advance multidisciplinary environmental health science (EHS); (b) analyze organic contaminants and trace- elements; (c) cultivate early-stage stage and established investigators; (d) learn with and from the community, helping to inform and translate our research; and (e) build science communication skills with investigators and community partners to boost research translation. We will advance EHS across the translational spectrum around three highly integrated science themes informed by residents of rural Appalachia: 1) Health Impacts of Waterborne Contaminants (WATER); 2) Health Impacts of Indoor and Outdoor Airborne Contaminants (AIR); and 3) Emerging Environmental Health Threats (EMERGING THREATS). The central hypothesis is that exposure to established contaminants via environmental exposure pathways (e.g., water, air) and emerging environmental health threats, combined with lifestyle and societal risk factors, contributes to the disproportionately high incidence of chronic diseases and health disparities in rural Appalachia. UK-CARES draws on a strong and diverse base of EHS and community-engaged research to meet the needs of communities in rural Appalachia. We will support and mentor investigators so they can reach the translational milestones in research: (1) asking fundamental questions; (2) applying and synthesizing; (3) implementing and adjusting; (4) moving ideas to practice; and (5) creating impact. In short, UK-CARES will leverage its resources to enhance EHS at UK while also reducing health risks and disparities in rural Appalachia. An Integrated Health Sciences Facility Core, Analytical Chemistry Core for Environmental Sciences, and Community Engagement Core are integral to this effort, as these cores will provide dedicated support in analytical chemistry, trace-elements analysis, biospecimen management, and bioinformatics and bridge Center and community priorities. The Pilot Project Program supports developing research and new scientific directions, advancing the careers of scientists interested in tackling challenging environmental health questions. UK- CARES will positively impact rural Appalachia through collaborative EHS designed to generate and disseminate new knowledge and translate research to inform clinical decision making and policy development.