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Environmental Factor, February 2013

NIEHS Spotlight

Story Landis, Ph.D.NIEHS welcomes NINDS director Story contains video

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Director Story Landis, Ph.D., explored the topic “Managing in Difficult Times” in a talk at NIEHS Jan. 17.

Griffin Rodgers, M.D.NIDDK director keynotes MLK observance Story contains video

NIEHS observed the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 25 with a presentation on obesity, kidney, and metabolic disease research by Griffin Rodgers, M.D.

Joel Tickner, Sc.D.Tickner encourages alternative solutions in green chemistry talk

According to University of Massachusetts Lowell researcher Joel Tickner, Sc.D., the time has come for scientists to take a more solutions-driven approach.

Thad AllenOil spill researchers tell what they learned

More than 1,000 scientists gathered in New Orleans Jan. 21-23 to discuss the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill and its effects on the environment and communities.

Kathy Laber, D.V.M.Laber named head of Comparative Medicine Branch

NIEHS Scientific Director Darryl Zeldin, M.D., announced Jan. 22 that Kathy Laber, D.V.M., will join NIEHS as chief of the Comparative Medicine Branch.

pptox III logoLancet commentary targets non-communicable diseases

NIEHS scientists and an international group of collaborators published a commentary in the journal’s Jan. 5 issue about early-life prevention of non-communicable diseases.

WETP Director Chip HughesNIEHS answers the call in the aftermath of Sandy

A special Federal Emergency Management Agency allocation approved Dec. 29 is helping NIEHS expand safety training in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Sharon Hrynkow, Ph.D.Hrynkow named to head network of viral specialists Story contains video

Former NIEHS Associate Director Sharon Hrynkow, Ph.D., was appointed in December 2012 as president of the nonprofit Global Virus Network of Baltimore.

StethoscopeNIEHS opens search for clinical director

In January, NIEHS launched a search for a director of the clinical research program at the senior investigator, tenure-eligible level, with a closing date of Feb. 28.

Jeffrey Stumpf, Ph.D.Research fellow begins career in medical writing

NIEHS research fellow Jeffrey Stumpf, Ph.D. began his new position Jan. 2 as a medical writer with MedThink SciCom in Raleigh, N.C.

AAAS LogoGrantees elected fellows of AAAS

Five NIEHS grantees will be among new fellows honored this year by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Marti Lindsey, Ph.D.Outreach educator honored with SOT Public Communications Award

The group recognized Marti Lindsey, Ph.D., for efforts to develop and disseminate environmental health materials related to issues of concern in the southwestern U.S.

NIH logoNew logo emphasizes NIH identity

The logo was developed over the past year as part of a larger effort to strengthen the impact of NIH communications.

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Inside the Institute

CFC logoNIEHS surpasses 2012 CFC goal

It was another record setting year for NIEHS participation in the Combined Federal Campaign, with pledges exceeding the 2012 goal of $115,000.

John PetrankaNIEHS biologist honored for award-winning photography

A thriving amateur photographer, NIEHS biologist John Petranka is being honored by Wildlife in North Carolina magazine for three of his wildlife photos.

Andrew Joseph, Ph.D. and studentsNeighbors in the house

A visiting high school group’s science teacher, Andrew Joseph, Ph.D., was a postdoctoral fellow at NIEHS during the mid-1980s.

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Calendar of Upcoming Events

  • Feb 05, Rodbell Auditorium 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Superfund Research Program Wetterhahn Award Seminar with 2012 winner Monica Ramirez-Andreotta.
  • Feb 06, Rodbell Auditorium 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. — Rx for Science Literacy Workshop
  • Feb 08, Keystone 1003AB 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. — Office of the Director seminar with Doug Stevens, Ph.D., describing “SKC [Salish Kootenai College] Life Sciences Program: Engaging Native American Studies in STEM through a Research-Intensive Curriculum”
  • Feb 08, Levine Science Research Center, Room A247, at Duke University 12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m. — Integrated Toxicology and Environmental Health Seminar Series, featuring Michael Ashner, Ph.D., discussing “From C. elegans to humans: understanding Mn-induced neurodegeneration”
  • Feb 13, Rodbell Auditorium 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. — NIEHS Annual Awards Ceremony
  • Feb 19, Keystone 1003AB 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. — Keystone Science Seminar Series featuring Andrew Feinberg, M.D., The Molecular Basis of Common Human Disease
  • Feb 20–21, Rodbell Auditorium 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. — National Advisory Environmental Health Sciences Council
  • Mar 01, Duke University’s Doris Duke Center 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. — Integrated Toxicology and Environmental Health Program Spring Symposium, (http://sites.nicholas.duke.edu/envhealth/events/spring-2013-symposium/)  “How Epigenomic Effects Mediate Persisting Actions of Developmental Toxicants"

View More Events: NIEHS Public Calendar

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Science Notebook

Noel Rose, M.D., Ph.D.Autoimmunity expert delivers distinguished lecture Story contains video

Noel Rose, M.D., Ph.D., a leading autoimmunity expert, came to NIEHS Jan. 8 and presented “Myocarditis: an environmentally induced autoimmune disease.”

Kevin Dreher, Ph.D.Nano meeting tackles consumer exposures

An impressive lineup of speakers at the NIEHS Nano Exposure Workshop Jan. 9-10 underscored how much scientists still don't understand about health effects.

Siri Haberg, M.D., Ph.D.NIEHS researcher assists in study of Norwegian women

The study suggests that expectant mothers who forgo influenza vaccination may face increased risk of fetal loss if they become ill with the virus.

Jeff Bronstein, M.D., Ph.D.Exploring the haunting legacy – benomyl and Parkinson’s

NIEHS-funded research reports on a newly discovered mechanism in Parkinson’s disease, a finding that could point to an innovative therapeutic approach.

Environmental Health Chat iconPEPH launches new podcast series Story contains video

Researchers working in partnership with community groups are featured in a new podcast series by the NIEHS Partnerships for Environmental Public Health program.

George Thurston, Sc.D. Air pollution pinpointed as major global health problem

Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 underscore the conventional wisdom that air pollution is a major health risk factor across the globe.

Shuk-mei Ho, Ph.D.Ho group uses saliva for study on methylation in asthma

Using saliva samples, a new study led by NIEHS grantee Shuk-mei Ho, Ph.D., has identified epigenetic changes to a new biomarker associated with asthma.

Alan Brown, M.D.Prenatal inflammation linked to autism risk

A team of U.S. and Finnish researchers found that elevated C-reactive protein, a marker of systemic inflammation, was tied to increased autism risk.

Laura Bierut, M.D.Uncovering the genetic component in nicotine addiction

Psychiatrist Laura Bierut, M.D., explored the interplay of environment and genes in smoking behaviors during a talk at NIEHS Jan. 23.

Huiming Gao, M.D., Ph.D.NIEHS research featured in The Journal of Immunology

The new findings expand scientists’ understanding of an important receptor and may lead to discovery of a therapeutic target for viral-induced chronic inflammatory illnesses.

EHP logoThis month in EHP Story contains video

News features in the February issue of Environmental Health Perspectives describe potentially promising developments in environmental health.

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Extramural Research

Extramural papers of the month/news/newsletter/2013/2/dert/index.htm

Intramural Research

Intramural papers of the month/news/newsletter/2013/2/dir/index.htm

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