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The Virtual Environmental Microbiology Center - A Social Network for Enhanced Communication between Water Researchers and Policy Makers
Citation:
Mistry, J. H., F. S. HAUCHMAN, M. R. RODGERS, AND N. ASHBOLT. The Virtual Environmental Microbiology Center - A Social Network for Enhanced Communication between Water Researchers and Policy Makers. Presented at American Society for Microbiology 109th General Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, May 17 - 21, 2009.
Impact/Purpose:
Not Available
Description:
Effective communication within and between organizations involved in research and policy making activities is essential. Sharing information across organizational and geographic boundaries can also facilitate coordination and collaboration, promote a better understanding of technical and policy issues, and avoid duplication of effort. To enhance communication within the environmental microbiology community, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the Environmental Science Connector (ESC) (http://portal.epa.gov/ESC ), a web-based communication tool that can bring together people with diverse interests and expertise to share information on a wide range of environmental microbiology topics. It also provides a convenient means for EPA scientists to manage projects, interact with project collaborators through message boards, and participate in real-time web based seminars. The ESC is being used to bring the environmental microbiology community together to share information on a variety of topics. Using the ESC as a platform, a virtual seminar series has been launched to allow subject matter experts in the fields of environmental microbiology and microbial ecology to openly discuss state-of-the-science research topics with network members, further fostering a sense of community and exchange of ideas. In addition, the ESC is providing a focal point for intra-governmental communication and collaboration on several specific research topics, including sample preparation for waterborne pathogens, the development of graywater guidance and microbial risk assessment.