Training students to understand how chemical exposures affect health.
Near-Peer Mentoring in Environmental Health: Chemical Exposures and Disease Risk
This study is all about helping high school and college students learn how chemicals in the environment can affect our health, especially focusing on women and underrepresented groups, while giving them hands-on research experience and support from experienced mentors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Amherst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hadley, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10757394 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on training high school and undergraduate students to explore the impact of environmental chemical exposures on non-communicable diseases. Participants will work closely with faculty mentors from various scientific disciplines, including toxicology and epidemiology, to learn about hazard mitigation and health improvement strategies. The program emphasizes recruiting women and individuals from underrepresented groups, providing them with hands-on research experiences and opportunities for science communication. Through partnerships with local organizations, the initiative aims to foster a learning community that addresses critical health challenges.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation are high school girls, particularly those from underserved communities, who are interested in science and health.
Not a fit: Patients who are not in high school or do not have an interest in environmental health or science may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could empower young individuals with knowledge and skills to address environmental health issues, potentially leading to improved public health outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Similar educational programs have shown success in engaging underrepresented groups in science and improving health literacy, making this approach promising.
Where this research is happening
Hadley, United States
- University of Massachusetts Amherst — Hadley, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vandenberg, Laura N. — University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Study coordinator: Vandenberg, Laura N.
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.