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Deepwater Horizon Research Consortia

Program Lead

Claudia L. Thompson, Ph.D. (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/dert/sphb/staff/thompson/index.cfm)
Branch Chief

Tel (919) 541-4638
Fax (919) 541-4937
thomps14@niehs.nih.gov

Program Description

When the Deepwater Horizon Gulf oil spill occurred in 2010, NIEHS immediately deployed staff to the Gulf region to ensure that cleanup workers were adequately trained. The Institute also began supporting research aimed at understanding the health effects of the oil spill.

NIEHS is leading the five-year, $25.2-million Deepwater Horizon Research Consortia program, which created community-university partnerships aimed at addressing the health effects stemming from the oil spill. Findings from this trans-NIH program will help improve community preparedness and response to disasters and minimize disaster-related health impacts such as stress, exposure to contaminants, and diet changes.

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, Tulane University, University of Florida, and University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston are participating in the program. This network of institutions is partnering with more than a dozen community organizations to ensure that research relates directly to the needs of local communities in the Gulf Coast region.

NIEHS research and training will help communities and institutions in the Gulf Coast and around the country understand how to be prepared for disasters and how to limit any negative health effects related to disasters.

Participating Institutions

• Louisiana State University
  • Response to Oil Spill 
• Tulane University
  • Deepwater Horizon Research Consortia 
• University of Florida
  • Healthy Gulf Healthy Communities 
• University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston
  • UTMB-Led Researchers Awarded $7.85 Million For Gulf Oil Spill Study 
  • BP's Deepwater Horizon Disaster: Update 12 

Additional Program Contacts

Symma Finn, Ph.D. (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/dert/sphb/staff/finn/index.cfm)
Health Science Administrator

Tel (919) 541-4258
finns@niehs.nih.gov

Allen Dearry, Ph.D. (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/about/od/advisor/dearry/index.cfm)
Scientific Officer

Tel (919) 541-3068
Fax (919) 316-4911
dearry@niehs.nih.gov

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