Expanding Superfund studies Envirome to extend research into toxins’ health effects R esearchers will be able to more robustly monitor environmental toxins and understand their health effects through $10.8 million in renewed funding for UofL’s Superfund Research Center. The center, part of the Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, is one of 23 multi-project centers nationally researching the health impact of compounds and chemicals found at hazardous waste disposal sites. UofL became one of three new research centers in 2017, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences renewed its funding for five more years. UofL researchers have studied the health effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), gases emitted by combustion and from liquid and solid chemicals, found at the Lee’s Lane Superfund site in southwest Louisville. Their work is focused on understanding how VOC exposure contributes to heart disease, inflammation and liver disease. The Superfund Research Center already developed two portable devices to detect airborne VOCs in homes and neighborhoods; assessed VOCs’ and other toxins’ effects on car-diovascular and immune health; and did lab studies on VOC health effects. Now the center can start field studies with both types of portable devices to monitor and measure exposure. About 700 people in south and west Louisville were part of a human study program to look at exposure and health changes over time. Initial results indicated that low-level ex-posure to VOCs could increase blood pressure, damage blood vessels and impair their repair. The new funding will allow the study to grow to 1,200 participants across Jefferson County. The team also will begin monitor-ing wastewater for VOCs and launch research to develop VOC mitigation methods. In researching remedia-tion, the UofL group will collaborate with Yale University researchers developing methods to break down VOCs using heat to reduce or eliminate VOCs at waste sites or in buildings. UofL researchers also are investigating whether increasing the tree canopy will decrease toxin levels and improve area residents’ health. Putting in work University recognized for diversity efforts UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE EARNED kudos for the ninth consecutive year for outstanding efforts toward diversity and inclusion. INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine acknowledged UofL’s work with the national publication’s Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award. It was also the fourth year the Health Sciences Center has earned the Health Professions HEED Award, and the third consecutive year UofL was selected as Diversity Champion, a distinction given to institutions scoring in the top tier of all HEED Award winners. UofL was one of only 15 named last year. “UofL is so pleased by these accomplishments, knowing there is more work to be done – but let’s celebrate success steps as we 14 UOFLMAGAZINE.COM continue to break down barriers where they exist,” said Lee A. Gill, vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion. “The hard work of so many people across our campuses is leading DEI initiatives, and we thank them for their efforts over the years.” Among the efforts recognized by the award are: • UofL’s Cultural and Equity Center • Louis D. Brandeis School of Law’s participation in the Kentucky Legal Education Opportunity Summer Institute, a program to prepare students from low-income or historically marginalized backgrounds for law school • Graduate School workshops including “Creating a Harass-ment-Free Lab;” “Attracting, Retaining and Supporting Inter-• • • • national Students;” and “Inclusive Teaching Strategies” College of Business programs, including the Skills and Profes-sional Development Program for minority-owned businesses in collaboration with One West, and the Kentucky Distillers’ Asso-ciation/University of Louisville Scholars Program The School of Public Health and Information Sciences’ series “Cardinal Conversations: Racism as a Public Health Issue” The Summer Health Professions Education Program for first-and second-year college students interested in exploring careers in the health professions UofL’s new Asian American Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group
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