Brown's Program
Accomplishments
Accomplishments
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Brief Summary of Major Accomplishments
Two major accomplishments during the initial three years of funding (April 2005 through March 2008) for each project and core are presented.


PROJECT 1: Mechanism of Toxicant-induced Testicular Sensitization
Kim Boekelheide, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Elucidation of phenotypic signatures and the cell-type dependence of enhanced
    and attenuated responses following co-exposure to testicular toxicants

  • Initiation of gene array studies to identify adaptive changes in molecular
    pathways that are precursors to the enhanced and attenuated co-exposure-induced
    responses


Project 2: Toxicity Of Metallic Nanoparticles And Carbon Nanotubes
Agnes Kane, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Developed a major program in nanotoxicology, including a focus on the mixed
    toxicity of metals mobilized from carbon nanotubes

  • Initiated mechanistic studies to evaluate the physicochemical parameters and
    epigenetic pathways responsible for toxicity of metallic nanoparticles


Project 3: Genetic Stress and Toxicant-induced Pregnancy Disruption
Surendra Sharma, M.B.B.S., Ph.D.
  • Established an experimental model to support the hypothesis of coupling of
    genetic stress and toxicant-induced perinatal and postnatal anomalies

  • Delineation of novel pathways targeting aquaporins (water channels) and
    angiogenesis at the maternal-fetal interface


Project 4: Biological Dosimetry of Hexavalent Chromium
Anatoly Zhitkovich, Ph.D.
  • Identified a critical role for vitamin C in exacerbating chromium toxicity

  • Found that co-exposures of Ni(II) and Cr(VI) or Cd(II) and Cr(VI) have
    strongly synergistic biological effects


Project 5: Development of Novel Electrochemical Techniques for Heavy Metals Removal and Remediation
Joseph Calo, Ph.D., P.E.
  • Successfully applied spouted particulate electrodes to electrowinning, leading
    to the development of a novel cyclic Combined Electrowinning/Precipitation
    (CEP) System for the removal of complex heavy metal mixtures from aqueous
    solutions at low concentrations

  • Developed novel electrosorption/electrodesorption techniques to enhance
    adsorption rates, capacities, and regeneration of certain porous adsorbents
    for the removal of heavy metals at ppb levels


Project 6: Nanomaterial Design for Environmental Health and Safety
Robert Hurt, Ph.D.
  • Used modern methods of nanosynthesis and surface modification to create new
    sorbents for high-efficiency capture of vapor-phase mercury

  • Characterized the bioavailability of iron and nickel in carbon nanotubes
    as potential contributing factors to their human health risks


Project 7: Low Concentration Vapor Exposures in Complex Systems and
the Problem of Vapor Intrusion
Eric M, Suuberg, Sc.D., P.E.
Kelly Pennell, Ph.D., P.E.
  • Experimentally determined thermodynamic properties of numerous polycyclic
    aromatic compounds, (hydrocarbons, and their oxygenated and halogenated
    derivatives)

  • Tested the mixture behavior of these polycyclic aromatic compounds, and
    developed methods to assess their vaporization potential from soil


Administrative Core (Core A)
Kim Boekelheide, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Development of the Center for Environmental Health and Technology (CEHT),
    creating an institutional home for the SRP

  • Institution of Interdisciplinary Focus Areas to drive translational
    interdisciplinary interactions


Research Translation Core (Core B)
Eric M, Suuberg, Sc.D., P.E.
Kelly Pennell, Ph.D., P.E.
  • Development of the State Agency Liaison position, and its successful
    implementation as a tie to RIDEM and RIDOH, as well as NIEHS and USEPA,
    leading to a broad range of translational activity of value to many
    stakeholders in Rhode Island and nationally

  • Established a new research effort to assist RIDEM, and stakeholders more
    broadly, to understand vapor intrusion and its proper characterization


Analytical Core — Chemistry and Biostatistics (Core C)
David Murray, Ph.D.
Zhijin Wu, Ph.D.
  • Established an analytical chemistry facility with instrumentation and
    personnel to support the projects and cores of Brown's SRP; ~ 7000 samples
    have been analyzed to date

  • Augmented the analytical capabilities of the facility, providing measurements
    of organic compounds (VOC's, SVOC's, and PCB's), metals, and mercury from
    aqueous and solid media


Molecular Pathology Core (Core D)
Mary Hixon, Ph.D.
  • Established a fully functional core offering a range of services, including
    tissue processing, transmission electron microscopy, light microscopy, and
    digital imaging

  • Developed new techniques for processing and embedding nanomaterials and
    asbestos fibers in tissues and cells


Community Outreach Core — Environmental Health and Justice (Core E)
Phil Brown, Ph.D.
  • Along with the Environmental Neighborhood Awareness Committee of Tiverton
    (ENACT), helped develop the Environmentally Compromised Home Opportunity
    (ECHO) Revolving Loan Fund Act to provide low-interest home improvement
    loans for homeowners with toxic contamination

  • Provided leadership and guidance to the RI Brownfields Environmental Equity
    Stakeholder Workgroup, a RIDEM-convened body that crafted a draft policy
    entitled “Considering Environmental Justice in the Review of Investigation
    and Remediation of Contaminated Properties”


Training Core (Core F)
Agnes Kane, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Supported interdisciplinary research teams involving undergraduates, graduate
    students, and postdoctoral fellows

  • Developed didactic courses and hands-on laboratory training in techniques
    related to SRP biomedical and engineering research projects