Wastewater surveillance to protect health in Black communities
Official title: Wastewater surveillance for addressing environmental health disparities
Funded at Morgan State University · NIH-11377962 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A project uses wastewater data and AI to track COVID-19 spread in high-risk, primarily African American communities and see how vaccination affects outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Morgan State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | July 31, 2019 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $378,842 |
| NIH project number | 5U54MD013376-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377962 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are individuals in high-risk communities where wastewater signals will be used to guide local health actions.
✕Less likely to help
There is no direct treatment involved; communities without participation in local health action plans may not see individual benefits.
What this research studies
This project analyzes sewage samples to monitor SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens in communities that are at higher risk. It combines lab testing, AI-based modeling, and field surveys to forecast infection trends and guide public health actions. The goal is to understand how vaccination in minority populations influences transmission and to turn wastewater signals into timely community health decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could provide earlier warnings of outbreaks in minority communities and inform targeted public health responses.
How similar studies have gone: Wastewater surveillance has shown promise in tracking COVID-19 trends in communities, with growing evidence supporting its use for public health planning.
Where this research is happening
-
Morgan State University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sherchan, Samendra P — Morgan State University
- Study coordinator: Sherchan, Samendra P
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.