METALS leadership to reduce metal exposure on tribal lands
Administrative Core
This program partners with tribal communities in the Southwest to reduce harmful metal exposure and runs a community-designed zinc intervention for people affected by contamination.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11124937 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This Administrative Core leads a center that works directly with tribal communities to guide research on metal exposure and health risks. It helps translate findings into actions for patients, clinicians, and tribal and national regulators. The core supported a community-designed clinical intervention called "Thinking Zinc" and fosters trust and long-term participation through participatory planning. It also coordinates projects, resources, and communication so research benefits local people and informs policy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people living on or near tribal lands in the Southwestern U.S. who are concerned about or affected by environmental metal exposure.
Not a fit: People without metal exposure concerns or who live outside the affected communities are unlikely to benefit directly from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lower people's exposure to harmful metals, improve clinical care for exposed individuals, and influence policies that reduce ongoing risks.
How similar studies have performed: Community-based exposure reduction programs and some zinc-related interventions have shown promise in specific settings, but results are still limited and context-dependent.
Where this research is happening
Albuquerque, United States
- University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr — Albuquerque, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cerrato, Jose Manuel — University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
- Study coordinator: Cerrato, Jose Manuel
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.