Training program focused on environmental health in rural areas
Official title: Rural Environmental Health Training Program
Funded at Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ · NIH-10867291 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to understand how things in the environment affect health in rural areas, and it’s for students who want to learn more about these health challenges and help find solutions for their communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Training grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $146,232 |
| NIH project number | 5T32ES033959-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10867291 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include individuals living in rural areas who are affected by environmental health issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients living in urban areas or those not impacted by environmental health concerns may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This program aims to enhance understanding of how environmental factors affect health in rural settings, which have been overlooked compared to urban areas. It will train predoctoral fellows in various disciplines such as toxicology and environmental epidemiology, focusing on the unique health challenges faced by rural communities. Trainees will engage in research that addresses environmentally-mediated diseases, assess exposure risks, and develop community-based solutions. The program will recruit six fellows over five years from multiple PhD programs at Virginia Tech.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for rural populations by addressing specific environmental health challenges they face.
How similar studies have gone: While research on urban environmental health is well-established, this program represents a novel approach focusing specifically on rural environmental health challenges.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
Blacksburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gohlke, Julia M — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Gohlke, Julia M
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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.