Grantee Research Project Results

2003 Progress Report: Developing Competitive Environmental Research in Arkansas

EPA Grant Number: R829417E01
Title: Developing Competitive Environmental Research in Arkansas
Investigators: Melchert, Russell B.
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, 2003 through May 23, 2004
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 goal of this Strategic Improvement Plan (SIP) is to promote the competitiveness of environmental science and engineering (S&E) research in Arkansas. The Arkansas 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 provide administrative support for budgetary issues, reports, and periodic review of the progress of the SEER project. In addition, the program director will work to 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. The Arkansas Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) Web 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(s) (Dr. Kennedy and subsequently Dr. Melchert) during the first 2 years of this project were redirected because of unanticipated needs. First, as a result of the economic climate, state support for matching funds was not available. The match, therefore, had to be obtained from the institutions (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences [UAMS] College of Medicine, UAMS College of Pharmacy, and the University of Arkansas– Fayetteville) to provide the necessary funding for both the SEER and the 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 the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Institute. This required additional negotiation as well as extra time and effort in discussions regarding matching funds and indirect costs. All of these issues have now been addressed.

Dr. Kennedy also was asked by the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority to present information regarding the Arkansas EPA-EPSCoR program to the state legislators in 2003. A poster describing the progress-to-date was developed and presented. This is not a lobbying activity, but rather is 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 ). Progress on this project, however, was 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 page, 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. In addition, Dr. Kennedy left the UAMS for a position at another institution effective August 1, 2004. Nonetheless, the 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 site will be increased if an appropriate coordinator can be identified and trained in a time-effective manner.

Finally, the office has monitored the progress of the SEER project, and Dr. Melchert will continue 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 goals and anticipated outcomes for this SIP. The progress of the SEER project will continue to be monitored, and the office will ensure that second year funds are distributed appropriately. In addition, efforts will be made to increase investigator awareness and utilization of the ACES Home Page.

Supplemental Keywords:

south central, Arkansas, AR, environmental science and engineering, Science and Engineering Environmental Research, SEER, alternative disinfection methods, autoimmunity,, 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

2002 Progress Report

Final Report