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.
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Elucidation of phenotypic signatures and the cell-type dependence of enhanced
and attenuated responses following co-exposure to testicular toxicants
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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.
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Developed a major program in nanotoxicology, including a focus on the mixed
toxicity of metals mobilized from carbon nanotubes
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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.
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Established an experimental model to support the hypothesis of coupling of
genetic stress and toxicant-induced perinatal and postnatal anomalies
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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.
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Identified a critical role for vitamin C in exacerbating chromium toxicity
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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.
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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
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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.
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Used modern methods of nanosynthesis and surface modification to create new
sorbents for high-efficiency capture of vapor-phase mercury
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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.
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Experimentally determined thermodynamic properties of numerous polycyclic
aromatic compounds, (hydrocarbons, and their oxygenated and halogenated
derivatives)
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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.
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Development of the Center for Environmental Health and Technology (CEHT),
creating an institutional home for the SRP
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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Established a fully functional core offering a range of services, including
tissue processing, transmission electron microscopy, light microscopy, and
digital imaging
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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.
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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
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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.
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Supported interdisciplinary research teams involving undergraduates, graduate
students, and postdoctoral fellows
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Developed didactic courses and hands-on laboratory training in techniques
related to SRP biomedical and engineering research projects