The PEPH grantee highlights feature engaging stories about NIEHS-funded researchers, community partners, young investigators, and other collaborators who are working to address environmental public health issues. Featured individuals share their personal stories and how innovative tools, education, capacity building, and community-university partnerships are empowering communities to address environmental health issues and promote health.
2025
- Abby Mutic, Ph.D., M.S.N., C.N.M. and Nathan Mutic, M.S., M.A.T., M.Ed. – Innovating Environmental Health Communication
- Mary Crocker M.D. – Protecting Kids From Wildfire Smoke: How Research Informs Practice
- James Stafford, Ph.D. and Michael Rountree, Ph.D. – An Education in Epigenetics: Improving Students’ Environmental Health Knowledge
- Ayca Erkin-Cakmak, M.D., MPH, and Ana Maria Mora, M.D., Ph.D. – Researchers Trace Health Effects of Early-life Exposure to Pesticides and Other Pollutants
- Liliana Aguayo, Ph.D. – Helping Families Make Heart-Healthy Choices
2024
- Marilyn Howarth, M.D. – Lending a Doctor’s Perspective to Community Environmental Health
- Nancy Cardona-Cordero, Dr.P.H. – Protecting Puerto Rican Communities by Uncovering Cancer Risks
- Carrie Leach, Ph.D. – Bridging the Gap Between Seniors, Science, and Technology
- Kim Cecil, Ph.D., Patrick Ryan, Ph.D., and Kimberly Yolton, Ph.D. – Teaming Up to Investigate Children’s Environmental Health
- Laura Senier, Ph.D. – Promoting Public Health Through Community Collaboration
- Jamie Donatuto, Ph.D. – Connecting Cultures: Conducting Research in Tribal Settings
- Galen Newman, Ph.D. – Using Spatial Analytics to Address Flooding and Contamination in Fence-Line Communities
- Andrew George, Ph.D. – Forging Partnerships to Reach and Empower Rural Well Water Users
- Ashlee Fitch – Advancing Healthy Workplaces, Communities Through Solidarity and Training
2023
- Kathleen Vandiver, Ph.D. – Building Environmental Health Literacy Across Generations and Communities
- Max Aung, Ph.D. – Tackling Environmental Exposures in Communities
- Jennifer Richmond-Bryant, Ph.D. – Combining Environmental and Social Sciences to Address Community Air Quality Concerns
- Kelly Pennell, Ph.D. – From Pipes to People: Addressing Vapor Intrusion and Water Contamination
- Denae King, Ph.D. – Joining Forces with Communities to Address Health Disparities
- Allison Patton, Ph.D. – Modeling Traffic-related Pollution, Promoting Health
- Linda McCauley, Ph.D., R.N. – Integrating Nursing and Environmental Research to Promote Community Health
- Mallery Quetawki – Using Art to Improve Environmental Health Literacy Among Indigenous Tribes
- Kevin Lane, Ph.D. – Applying Spatial Analysis to Air Pollution Research
- Joseph Hamm, Ph.D. – Fostering Trust-Building to Promote Environmental Health
2022
- Jamaji Nwanaji-Enwerem, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.P. – Combining Medicine, Environmental Research, and Policy to Reduce Health Disparities
- Andrij Holian, Ph.D. – Uncovering Mechanisms of Lung Injury to Improve Public Health
- Cynthia Curl, Ph.D., and Carly Hyland, Ph.D. – Teaming Up to Protect Agricultural Communities in Idaho
- Yoshira ‘Yoshi’ Ornelas Van Horne, Ph.D. – Putting Communities at the Center of Exposure Science Research
- Molly Kile, Sc.D. – Conducting Community Participatory Research Across Continents
- Karletta Chief, Ph.D. – Partnering with Tribal Communities to Protect Water from Pollution and Weather-Related Hazards
- Kathleen Gray, Ph.D. – Improving Environmental Risk Communication Through Interdisciplinary Collaborations
- Gary Adamkiewicz, Ph.D. – Using Housing as an Opportunity to Improve Health
- Celia Chen, M.S., Ph.D. – Leveraging Partners Across Disciplines and Continents
- Jennifer Carrera, Ph.D. – Joining Forces With Communities to Bridge Gaps in Public Health