Grantee Research Project Results

2002 Progress Report: Developing Competitive Environmental Research in Arkansas

EPA Grant Number: R829417E01
Title: Developing Competitive Environmental Research in Arkansas
Investigators: Kennedy, Richard H.
Current Investigators: Melchert, Russell B. , Kennedy, Richard H.
Institution: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Current Institution: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences , Loyola University - New Orleans
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: May 24, 2002 through May 23, 2004 (Extended to May 23, 2005)
Project Period Covered by this Report: May 24, 2002 through May 23, 2003
Project Amount: $250,000
RFA: EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) (2001) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: EPSCoR (The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research)

Objective:

The objective of this research project is to promote the competitiveness of environmental science and engineering (S&E) research in Arkansas. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency–Environmental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (U.S. EPA-EPSCoR) Office will accomplish this objective by supporting and monitoring the Science and Engineering Environmental Research (SEER) project funded as part of the Arkansas EPSCoR award, and by developing and implementing a Web site that focuses on environmental S&E efforts in Arkansas. The office will ensure that state-matching funds are acquired and distributed appropriately, and will provide administrative support for budgetary issues, reports, and periodic review of SEER progress. In addition, the Program Director will identify additional sources of funding for environmental research. The progress of the SEER project will be monitored based on scientific presentations and publications, trainees involved, and applications submitted to federal agencies for continued support. With respect to the Web site, it will be available on the Arkansas Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) Home Page. This site will list investigators’ research interests, research services available in the state, information about scientific meetings and opportunities for funding, and current findings by EPA-related projects in our state.

Progress Summary:

Much of the time and effort spent by the Program Director (Dr. Kennedy) during Year 1 of the project was redirected because of unanticipated needs. First, because of the economic climate, state support for matching funds was not available. Thus, the match had to be obtained from the institutions (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences [UAMS] and University of Arkansas, Fayetteville) to provide the necessary funding for both the SEER and Strategic Improvement Plan (SIP). This was somewhat of an unexpected expense for the campuses, and additional meetings and communications were required to identify and secure the support. In addition, the Principal Investigator of the SEER project (Dr. Gilbert) moved from UAMS to Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Institute. This required negotiation of an additional Memorandum of Agreement as well as extra time and effort in discussions regarding matching funds and indirect costs. These issues have been addressed, and future effort for administration should be no greater than originally proposed.

Dr. Kennedy also was asked by the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority to present information regarding the EPA-EPSCoR Program to the state legislators. A poster describing progress to date was developed and presented. This was not a lobbying activity, but rather, it was presented periodically as a method of keeping our legislature aware of the important research being conducted by state colleges and universities.

As described in the application, the ACES Home Page was implemented (http://www.uams.edu/aces/ Exit ) during the year. Progress on this project was somewhat delayed because of time spent by Dr. Kennedy on the issues discussed above, and because of turnover in personnel. Eszter Jacob, the coordinator who originally designed the Web site, left the institution and was replaced by Katherine Priest. After learning the necessary skills for Web site management, Katherine moved on to another administrative assistant position on campus. Nonetheless, the Web site is available, and we are attempting to analyze its utility. Initial response by environmental S&E personnel in the state has been marginal, but efforts to enhance awareness and the usefulness of the Web site will be increased once the personnel issue is addressed.

Finally, the office has monitored the progress of the SEERproject, and Dr. Kennedy continues to search for additional sources of support that can be used to enhance our competitiveness in environmental S&E.

Future Activities:

There are no anticipated changes in the objectives and anticipated outcomes for this project. We will continue to monitor the progress of the SEER project, and the office will ensure that Year 2 of the project's funds are distributed appropriately. In addition, efforts will be made to increase investigator awareness and utilization of the ACES Home Page.

Supplemental Keywords:

alternative disinfection methods, autoimmunity, bioindicator, biomarker, chemical byproducts, diagnostic tool, disinfection byproducts, DPBs, drinking water system, drinking water treatment, ecological risk assessment, environmental risks, exposure, human exposure, south central, Arkansas, AR., Health, RFA, Scientific Discipline, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, Geographic Area, Water, POLLUTANTS/TOXICS, Health Risk Assessment, Risk Assessments, State, Environmental Chemistry, Drinking Water, Water Pollutants, ecological risk assessment, water quality, environmental risks, human exposure, bioindicator, drinking water system, exposure, drinking water treatment, other - risk assessment, Arkansas, autoimmunity, chemical byproducts, disinfection byproducts, diagnostic tool, disinfection byproducts (DPBs), human health risk, biomarker

Relevant Websites:

http://www.uams.edu/aces/ Exit

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

2003 Progress Report

Final Report