Environmental Factor

NIEHS Spotlight

Panel discusses multiple benefits of federally funded research

Moderated by journalist Rose Hoban, a panel of area scientists joined U.S. Rep. David Price for a discussion of the many benefits resulting from federally funded science.

NIEHS employees honored with NIH Director's Awards

Twenty-five NIEHS employees were among the 378 individuals recognized for exemplary service at the 2011 NIH Director's Awards ceremony Aug. 2 in Bethesda, Md.

Trainees form backbone for EHP teacher workshops

During the planning process for the most recent EHP teacher workshops, Bono Sen, Ph.D., turned to an often untapped source of teaching talent at the Institute.

Poster session marks high point for summer interns

The 2011 NIH Summer Internship Program at NIEHS marked the culmination of eight to twelve weeks of sustained effort in NIEHS labs with the annual poster session July 28.

NTA showcases private sector career building

The NIEHS Trainees Assembly hosted a Quintiles Open House event July 25, to help young scientists better understand what is available in the private sector.

Olden leads school to accreditation

Thanks in great part to the leadership of Ken Olden, Ph.D., City University of New York will welcome its first class to the fully accredited School of Public Health this fall.

Postdoctoral fellow launches career as a scientific coordinator

Jana Stone, Ph.D., left NIEHS July 29 for the post of scientific coordinator at the Duke Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy Center for Systems Biology.

Arizona grantee honored for mentoring

NIEHS grantee Patricia Hoyer, Ph.D., was honored with the 2011 Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR) Trainee-Mentoring Award.

NIEHS ethics program nominated for excellence award

The NIEHS Ethics Program is being recognized by the U.S. Office of Government Ethics for its highly successful Ethics Day event May 25 in Rodbell Auditorium.

Researcher links economic recession with growing minority health disparities

Scientists and administrators from NIEHS were treated to an informal discussion of recent research with one of the field's foremost experts, Irene Dankwa-Mullan, M.D.

NIH seeks new ideas for Common Fund Programs

NIH leadership is reaching out to internal and external scientists and stakeholders for ideas about new research programs for 2013, to be supported by its Common Fund.

Superfund awards support early-career researchers

The KC Donnelly Externship Award Supplement supports SRP trainees pursuing translational and transdisciplinary opportunities.

SRP celebrates an important milestone

In August, the Superfund Research Program issued the 200th edition of the SRP Research Briefs, celebrating nearly 15 years of disseminating cutting-edge scientific findings.

Postdocs receive Gordon Conference travel awards

Three NIEHS/NTP postdocs received travel awards and the chance to present posters of their work at the Gordon Research Conference Aug. 7-12 in Andover, N.H.

NIEHS seeks director of clinical research

NIEHS is accepting applications through Sept. 30 from senior investigators qualified for a tenured appointment as director of its Clinical Research Program.

 Back to top

Inside the Institute

Goal exceeded, as NIEHS Feds Feed Families drive concludes

Volunteers at NIEHS collected a record volume of non-perishable food, infant products, and hygiene items, during the 2011 Feds Feed Families food drive.

NIEHS mentoring makes summer special for Hispanic intern

From her first contact with NIH up to her last day at NIEHS Aug. 12, summer intern Yasmin Crespo-Mejias enjoyed the support and encouragement of quality mentors.

Remembering Joe Wachsman

Friends and colleagues at NIEHS were saddened to hear of the death of Joe Wachsman, Ph.D., July 10 in Denver, following a brief illness.

 Back to top

Science Notebook

Birnbaum speaks at Dioxin 2011

NIEHS/NTP Director Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., was a featured speaker at two sessions during the weeklong Dioxin 2011 in Brussels, Belgium.

Mardis discusses current genomic technologies and cancer models

Elaine Mardis, Ph.D., co-director of The Genome Institute at Washington University in St. Louis, presented a seminar on "Genomic studies of mouse models of human cancer."

Fellow wins WSA award for research excellence

Postdoctoral fellow Anne Lai, Ph.D., has been selected to receive one of two NIH Women Scientist Advisors Scholar Awards presented this year.

Fuchs discusses replication past DNA damage

Robert Fuchs, Ph.D., shared his research about mechanisms of replication past damaged DNA, during his talk Aug. 1 at NIEHS.

Study identifies role of mold in asthma development

University of Cincinnati scientists found mold exposure during a critical window of development was associated with a three-fold greater risk for asthma later in childhood.

UC grantees' lab-on-a-chip detects toxic heavy metals in humans

An ongoing NIEHS-funded study at the University of Cincinnati examining the health effects of manganese on children will soon have a new tool at its disposal.

Highest levels of flame retardant chemicals reported in California pregnant women

A team of scientists reported very high levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and their hydroxylated metabolites among California pregnant women.

Superfund webinar showcases trainees

The Superfund Research Program aired the final installment in its 2011 Trainee Webinar Series Aug. 16, featuring two of its outstanding young environmental engineers.

NIEHS investigator links UV exposure and aging to cataracts and macular degeneration

Joan Roberts, Ph.D., suggests that the aging process itself, in conjunction with excessive UV exposure, plays a major role in the onset of cataracts and macular degeneration.

Study suggests nutritional supplements could one day prevent skin cancer

A new study found that decreased levels of a known tumor suppressing protein led to an increased risk for ultraviolet-induced, non-melanoma skin cancer in mice.

Understanding how embryonic stem cells work

A new NIEHS-funded paper explains how two seemingly opposing mechanisms in embryonic stem cells actually work together in a unique cellular collaboration.

NTP researcher wins poster award at conference in Germany

NTP scientist Scott Auerbach, Ph.D., took home top poster honors at the OpenTox 2011 InterAction Meeting for his work on bioinformatics and disease informing assays.

This month in EHP

An image of burning forestland serves as a fitting backdrop for the feature news story in this month's EHP, "Fields and Forests in Flames: Vegetation Smoke and Human Health."

2012 NIH Director's Award programs funding opportunities

In August, NIH announced that it is welcoming proposals for the 2012 NIH Director's Pioneer Award and New Innovator Award programs through early October.

Upcoming bioinformatics conference at Friday Center

The third Toxicogenomics Integrated with Environmental Sciences Conference will take place Sept. 15-16 at the UNC William and Ida Friday Center in Chapel Hill.

 Back to top

Extramural Research

Extramural Papers of the Month

• Discovery of the seventh and eighth bases of DNA
• Autism and prenatal vitamins
• Microparticle delivery increases efficacy of doxorubicin in treatment of mesothelioma
• Genetic map of African-Americans will aid the study of diseases

Intramural Research

Intramural Papers of the Month

• Rodent model examines Parkinson's progression
• Cadmium induces transcription without calcium mobilization
• CAR mediates the activation of Sult1e1 gene by the garlic extract diallyl sulfide
• A novel mechanism that may underlie learning and memory

 Back to top

Calendar of Upcoming Events

• Sept. 1-2, in Rodbell Auditorium, 8:30a.m.-5:00p.m. - National Advisory Environmental Health Sciences Council meeting
• Sept. 7-8 (offsite event), Sheraton Iowa City Hotel, Iowa - Engaging Communities to Advance Environmental Health Policy PEPH Workshop: Engaging Policy and Decision Makers
• Sept. 8-9, in Rodbell Auditorium, 8:30a.m.-5:00p.m. - Workshop to examine the interactions between environmental exposures and infectious agents
• Sept. 13, in Executive Conference Room, 12:00-1:00 p.m. - Receptor Mechanisms Discussion Group, featuring Joyce Goldstein, Ph.D., topic TBA
• Sept. 13-16 (offsite event), Doubletree Hotel in Portland, Ore. - 8th International Phytotechnology Society Conference, "Putting Plants to Work Where We Live, Labor, Breathe, and Play"
• Sept. 15-16 (offsite event), at the William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education in Chapel Hill, NC - Third International Toxicogenomics Conference, "Toxicogenomics Integrated with Environmental Sciences (TIES)"
• Sept. 22, in Rodbell Auditorium, 11:00a.m.-5:00 p.m. - NC Society of Toxicology Fall Meeting
• Sept. 23, in Rodbell Auditorium, 1:00-2:00 p.m. - National Postdoc Appreciation Day

View More Events: NIEHS Public Calendar

 Back to top

The Environmental Factor is produced monthly by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/), Office of Communications and Public Liaison. The content is not copyrighted, and it can be reprinted without permission. If you use parts of Environmental Factor in your publication, we ask that you provide us with a copy for our records. We welcome your comments and suggestions. (bruskec@niehs.nih.gov)